Need a larger wheel

[Lilafernim]

I’ve heard of people buying ‘bucket’ wheel on Etsy but I don’t know anything about them and I’ve looked just now and I’m struggling to find a 12” wheel.

Here’s a link to a 16” one but that must be massive: Speedyhog Large 16 African Pigmy Hedgehog Exercise Wheel | Etsy UK

If you like them though you could probably shop around for one the right size.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by heidii

I saw the Getzoo one, but it is only 28cm internally and thus rendering as useless as Neptr's current one.

Another issue is Neptr loves to wee on his wheel, so all wooden wheels are an instant no. Unfortunate as I want him to have a natural enclosure, but it must be done.

Cost isn't an issue, for the moment. I have a decent budget to splurge on the hamsters, which I am lucky for. Big rodipet parcels and new acrylic sheets, what more can a wheel do?

Currently, the tic tac wheels look the best, but I want to swerve the bucket ones. The metal wouldn't absorb any pee, but I can't use fixtures in his cage. The wheel would need a stand.

Can I just change that recommendation for the getzoo one anyway. Mine arrived. It’s an excellent wheel and well made but it is really smelly! Strong kind of glue/varnish smell. Now I have a sensitive nose so I asked OH and he also said it was a strong smell. It will no doubt wear off but I think that would take some time. So I’m sending it back and will wait for the Rodipet ones to come back in stock. I’ve found this with getzoo before - a bottle stand - and the smell did wear off after about 3 weeks. However the platforms from them didn’t smell. Anyway it’s probably glue they use or the type of wood or something but if it’s strong to us I wouldn’t want to give it to a hamster. And it’s a pain to wait weeks for aromas to wear off. Considering I got it from Amazon it’s not like it’s only just been manufactured a few days before really.

I’ve had the Rodipet ones and they don’t smell.

I know what you mean about not wanting a wood wheel but sometimes it’s difficult to find the right wheel for the right cage and the right hamster and if cost isn’t an issue you could maybe afford to replace it after a couple of years. When they are plastikoted they don’t get smelly or stained - Pip’s Rodipet one still looks like new. The only signs of use are slight “wear” marks on the cork running track. Where his nails have taken the shine off the plastikote.

They also have a height adjustable stand if you want to use it one the stand and are completely silent. The Rodipet 30cm one is 30cm internally and they do bigger ones as well. Not in stock till the end of the month though. I actually prefer the wood wheels after using them as they’re great for the hamsters to run in - no slippery bits or ridges.

33cm trixie wheel sounds good though. Has anyone tried it? Is it stable at that size.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by Lilafernim

I’ve heard of people buying ‘bucket’ wheel on Etsy but I don’t know anything about them and I’ve looked just now and I’m struggling to find a 12” wheel.

Here’s a link to a 16” one but that must be massive: Speedyhog Large 16 African Pigmy Hedgehog Exercise Wheel | Etsy UK

If you like them though you could probably shop around for one the right size.

I have the Carolina storm wheel. It’s 10”. Not my favourite wheel - it’s ok but I think not quite big enough for a Syrian to run in easily - maybe better for a dwarf. They’re hard to get hold of and expensive too. I don’t like the stand - it is height adjustable but not very much.

[Pebbles82]

Just to add about the Rodipet ones as well. They sell a stand for the base so it can be raised really quite high on the stand - about 4” on the base as well as the height adjustable stand (and makes a hide under the wheel). That only really works in a tank style cage though, not a curved cage base.

[Ria P]

Just a quick question. After plastikoting cork, does it not lose its grip?

[heidii]

I'm still not sure about a wooden wheel. He pees on his wheel a lot, I'm sure it's his designated toileting area regardless. Soon, I have a rodipet parcel coming in anyway and his cage will be reworked. I'll have a large sand bath area with his wheel there to maybe insentivise him into weeing or pooping on the sand.

I just think if he keeps weeing at the rate he does now, that wooden wheel would just lap it up. Even after a year I feel like it could have dangerous ammonia levels, so honestly not comfortable with them?

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by heidii

I just think if he keeps weeing at the rate he does now, that wooden wheel would just lap it up. Even after a year I feel like it could have dangerous ammonia levels, so honestly not comfortable with them?

I'm the same and don't use wooden wheels. I use plastic wheels for hygienic reasons.

[heidii]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I'm the same and don't use wooden wheels. I use plastic wheels for hygienic reasons.

I think they are fine in terms of hygiene if the animal has a designated wee spot away from it. However, if you're constantly taking in hamsters, you can't be relying on wooden wheels as they'd absorb scent regardless of them weeing on it.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Just a quick question. After plastikoting cork, does it not lose its grip?

Short answer is no they don't lose their grip. Long answer is - of course the cork has a slight sheen on it after plastikoting, as opposed to a matt rougher finish, but it is still a good grippy surface and nice for their feet. Although never had a hamster have problems with their feet with wheels generally (the big 12" silent "spinner" used to be an issue for that though - at the join).

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by heidii

I think they are fine in terms of hygiene if the animal has a designated wee spot away from it. However, if you're constantly taking in hamsters, you can't be relying on wooden wheels as they'd absorb scent regardless of them weeing on it.

Our first syrian had a wood wheel and I didn't even plastikote it. Yes it got wee'd in and I just used to scrub it under running water and it was fine! I take the point though. If your hamster pees in his wheel a lot it's not easy. Technically, with a couple of coats of plastikote, no wee should soak into the wood.