I have a question about Hamster wheels

Ritz459 · 12-22-2005, 08:20 AM

Ok, I have two dwarf hamsters and one full sized chubby Hamster. (Well, actually, the chubby Hamster is my sister's, but...) The dwarf hamsters have a cage with a larger wheel in it, and the Hamster has a smaller wheel. When he runs in it, he is almost in a "u" shape. When he runs in the bigger wheel, he doesn't have as good as a grip, but he is more flat.
Should I switch the wheels so the Dwarf Hamsters have the smaller wheel and the Hamster has the big one?

Ok, so it is a stupid question, but I don't know if I should or not...lol

I'll only do it if the smaller wheel is too small for the Hamster. I guess that is my main question, and it doesn't sound as stupid.

Tiffany0204 · 12-22-2005, 08:28 AM

I had hamsters when I was younger, and I don't ever recall the size of a hampster wheel being important. As long as it's getting the excercise it needs from the wheel, I think would be the most important thing.

Maybe try doing a google search to see if it's of importance?

Barrett · 12-22-2005, 11:52 AM

Is the wheel free standing or attached to the cage? I would switch or buy the hamster a bigger wheel if it is easy to do. He will get better at it soon. I bought my hamsters a flat disk / saucer to run on. They loved it and would try and pile on it and when one stoped running the other flew off. I am sure it was a game to them because they did this all the time! LOL!!

Ritz459 · 12-22-2005, 05:17 PM

The wheel is attached to the cage and both of the wheels (the big one and the small one) fit and attach the same way, so switching wouldn't be a problem.

dollface · 12-23-2005, 07:53 AM

You could always switch them for awhile and see how your hamster likes it... Then decide from there

TinyAlbinoDancer · 12-23-2005, 01:07 PM

The hamster's back (dwarf or Syrian) should never be more than mildly arched. This causes spinal problems, and I can't imagine the discomfort. Hamsters will run in the wheel regardless, because they NEED the exercise. 8" is the minimum size for a Syrian (that's your "regular" sized hamster). And some Syrians may need bigger. Most dwarfs can comfortably use the smallest size wheels, but some larger dwarfs can only use the smallest size of certain brands. Use your best judgement. What brand of wheels are you using?

Remember to never use runged (wire) wheels, either. Those aren't safe for little limbs.

Ritz459 · 12-24-2005, 10:17 AM

I have no idea what brand I'm using. They came with the cages, and they aren't wire. The Dwarf Hamsters right now have about a seven-eight inch wheel (they were both running in it at the same time last night...it was really funny because they'd both run, but then one would eventually fly off. *shakes head*) and the Hamster has probably a six inch or so wheel.
I'll probably be switching them, although the bigger wheel in the Hamster's cage is going to take up more room. But Freddie will live. lol

TinyAlbinoDancer · 12-24-2005, 01:36 PM

He'll "live" more comfortably without spinal problems.

Do you have CritterTrails or HabiTrails? None of their wheels are big enough for Syrians.

Ritz459 · 12-29-2005, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

He'll "live" more comfortably without spinal problems.

Do you have CritterTrails or HabiTrails? None of their wheels are big enough for Syrians.

The wheel that I just gave Freddie is a SuperPet CritterTrail wheel, but he isn't in a CritteTrail cage. The cage that Freddie is in now is a SuperPet First Home, and the wheel that was in that is now with Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde are in the CritterTrail cage.
Wow, that was confusing.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 01-01-2006, 09:00 PM

Just so long as it's 8.5 inches. Anything smaller will still be uncomfortable for him.

Ritz459 · 01-02-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

Just so long as it's 8.5 inches. Anything smaller will still be uncomfortable for him.

Ok, thanks for the help! The wheel he has is about 6.5 inches long (I measured) and Freddie is about five inches long. So our next trip to Petsmart (we need a LOT of stuff so it will be pretty soon) I'm going to get a new wheel for him. And I also measured his cage and a nine or ten inch wheel will just barely fit in his wheel space, but it will fit.

12-22-2005, 08:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,675 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 234	I have a question about Hamster wheels Ok, I have two dwarf hamsters and one full sized chubby Hamster. (Well, actually, the chubby Hamster is my sister's, but...) The dwarf hamsters have a cage with a larger wheel in it, and the Hamster has a smaller wheel. When he runs in it, he is almost in a "u" shape. When he runs in the bigger wheel, he doesn't have as good as a grip, but he is more flat. Should I switch the wheels so the Dwarf Hamsters have the smaller wheel and the Hamster has the big one? Ok, so it is a stupid question, but I don't know if I should or not...lol I'll only do it if the smaller wheel is too small for the Hamster. I guess that is my main question, and it doesn't sound as stupid.
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

12-22-2005, 08:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tiffany0204 Due in December! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Barrie, ON - Canada! Posts: 867 Rep Power: 89	I had hamsters when I was younger, and I don't ever recall the size of a hampster wheel being important. As long as it's getting the excercise it needs from the wheel, I think would be the most important thing. Maybe try doing a google search to see if it's of importance?
	__________________

12-22-2005, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,675 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 234	The wheel is attached to the cage and both of the wheels (the big one and the small one) fit and attach the same way, so switching wouldn't be a problem.
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

12-23-2005, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
dollface 4 Boston Terriers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Saskatchewan Posts: 903 Rep Power: 101	You could always switch them for awhile and see how your hamster likes it... Then decide from there
	__________________ The only thing worse then a fool Is the person that argue's with one A dog is only as smart as their owner

12-23-2005, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,578 Rep Power: 166	The hamster's back (dwarf or Syrian) should never be more than mildly arched. This causes spinal problems, and I can't imagine the discomfort. Hamsters will run in the wheel regardless, because they NEED the exercise. 8" is the minimum size for a Syrian (that's your "regular" sized hamster). And some Syrians may need bigger. Most dwarfs can comfortably use the smallest size wheels, but some larger dwarfs can only use the smallest size of certain brands. Use your best judgement. What brand of wheels are you using? Remember to never use runged (wire) wheels, either. Those aren't safe for little limbs.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

12-22-2005, 11:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	Is the wheel free standing or attached to the cage? I would switch or buy the hamster a bigger wheel if it is easy to do. He will get better at it soon. I bought my hamsters a flat disk / saucer to run on. They loved it and would try and pile on it and when one stoped running the other flew off. I am sure it was a game to them because they did this all the time! LOL!!

12-24-2005, 10:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,675 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 234	I have no idea what brand I'm using. They came with the cages, and they aren't wire. The Dwarf Hamsters right now have about a seven-eight inch wheel (they were both running in it at the same time last night...it was really funny because they'd both run, but then one would eventually fly off. shakes head) and the Hamster has probably a six inch or so wheel. I'll probably be switching them, although the bigger wheel in the Hamster's cage is going to take up more room. But Freddie will live. lol
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

12-24-2005, 01:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,578 Rep Power: 166	He'll "live" more comfortably without spinal problems. Do you have CritterTrails or HabiTrails? None of their wheels are big enough for Syrians.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

01-01-2006, 09:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,578 Rep Power: 166	Just so long as it's 8.5 inches. Anything smaller will still be uncomfortable for him.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

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