Do Hamsters Really Use Their Habitrail Wheels??

[Zouave]

I am beginning to wonder if hamsters actually use the internal wheel of their Habitrail Space Stations (or the Safari version).

They may be too big for dwarfs, and too small for Syrians.

What is your experience with them actually running in the wheels and getting the exercise they need?

[cevans26]

I have a female European Blackbear hamster. I have the space Station for her and she loves it! I have both the wheel in the cage, and the big wheel you can buy extra. She takes turns with both! Every time I clean the cage, i change the way the Space Station looks, but she always has her 1 place to sleep. She also has desinated the "space shuttle" to be her potty room, even though we have the litter box for her. Here is a picture, but in this pic I didnt have the wheel inside the cage :) :
http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1026313/4524986/59940356.jpg

[Krazie4pets]

Yeah most likely all hamster will use their wheels as more or less an instinct, however the degree of which they use them will vary. Don't be alarmed if you think your hammie isn't using your wheel because it'll just take time. Sometime the hammie needs to discover it for theirselves and "learn" how to use it.

If you believe there is actually a problem with the size of the wheel then I would suggest doing what cevan did and purchase the external wheel.

In the meantime, if you really think that your hamster is not using his wheel (he may be using in the middle of the night) then you could let him or her run in their exercise balls for 20 minutes to 40 minutes. The time really depends solely on the activeness of the hamster.

Thanks again,
Ana

[Zouave]

One of the hamsters in question recently died (see the Pet Loss/Memorial forum), and the other also had been in there for months, but I never actually SAW them use the wheel. maybe they used it when I was asleep. I have over forty animals here so it is hard to give each one daily exercise outside of their habitats.

But your Syrians seem to use the internal wheel, right?

[mishalee]

yeah,my old one did.DO NOT GET A HABITRAIL.my first hamster chewed up two of them.don't ever get plastic cages,they're hard to clean,they only last about two months.

[Krazie4pets]

Actually for some people in my other forum, 40 hamsters is a minimum. With about 10 hamster balls (don't have to be purchased all at once) 4 15-30 minute sessions will be all you need.

I wouldn't recommend a habitrail either just because of its design. The crittertrails are much more durable but can break without the proper care.

Ana

[xenya88]

Hi,
Actually I have the Safari Habitrails for all 3 of my Syrians (each has his own ofcourse). They use the wheels alll the time. All 3 do. They know what to do, it's never been a problem, and neither has the size of the wheels. They seem very content. My guess is yours is just doing it when you are not around. Don't worry, they know just what to do- I suppose its instinct. -propeller

[Krazie4pets]

I agree with xenya88

[Revenge]

my hamster has a Crittertrails cage I mean its the perfect size for him but the size of it is two small for a wheel