Hedgehog World - A community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders - Re:Wheel Worries

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Vangardt
Visitor

Posts: 27

Wheel Worries - 2005/07/14 09:37 I have recently adopted a hedgehog that I helped raised from a trusted friend. She is about 6 months old and they were forced to give her away fro finacial reasons. She had no wheel, space, or many other things she needed. I have provided these, but she doesn't seem to like the wheel. She is so full of energy, I was hoping she would use it more. I am concerned that the wheel may be to small. It is about 8 1/2 inches in diameter. She always just seems to want to get off it when put on and never uses it on her own. She LOVES her ball on the other hand. Any thoughts? (Keep in mind she is about six months old...dunno how much that will help you understand her size.)

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InMemOfColby
Visitor

Posts: 12

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/14 16:19 I had the same problem with my very first hedgie and I wasn't sure either! I just left his wheel in the cage, and I put a mealworm on the wheel track (because mine has a solid bottem) Make sure your wheel is solid, and not like a hampster wheel, because there paws can fall through. I first had the hampster one in, and he didnt like it. So when I made the track solid, he did go in it. He didn't go in it us much as I had liked him to, but as long as you give her lots of excerise out of the cage, I dont see much of a problem. I would leave the wheel in the cage at all times though, because you never know

I hope I was of some help.... maybe the breeders on this site can be more helpful

Jessica

-mother of Lexie

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PRPogs
User

Posts: 199

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/15 04:16 the wheel sounds small. I use a 12" Comfort Wheel or Large Silent Spinner or even a bucket wheel that is 11 1/2".

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dzmeadows

Admin

Posts: 976

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/15 04:22 I agree with Robin. 8 1/2 wheels are definately too small for comfort for the majority of adult hedgehogs, and at 6 months old, she is basically at adult size.
Jessica's point about the solid surface is definately important also. Many hedgehogs won't run on wheels that don't have a secure running surface, and those who do can recieve some pretty major leg injuries.
Once you have an appropriate wheel, you have to realize that if she enver had a wheel before, she won't know at first what to do with it. Some hedgehogs catch on very rapidly, others take longer. Just be patient, and one of these days you will be joining the masses that grumble about the wheels getting so dirty.

Becca

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PRPogs
User

Posts: 199

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/15 05:23 and noisy, do NOT forget the noise.

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HamorHollow

Admin

Posts: 2173

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/15 05:45 You definitely need a larger wheel. At 6 months, your hedgehog is too large for an 8.5" wheel. Once you upsize, your hedgehog will start using the wheel within a few days.

Kelly Kelly Sosik-Hamor
Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. |
Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. |
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Vangardt
Visitor

Posts: 27

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/15 06:19 This one is solid, no worries there, I read a lot about that and many other hedgie things before getting her. I have been eyeing a Whisper Wheel, though currently can't afford it. I know this one will drive me insane VERY soon. It doesn't make much noise, but I am sure it is enough.

I gather the general consensus is to buy a bigger wheel.

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PRPogs
User

Posts: 199

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/16 08:05 Yep a bigger wheel will end your worries.

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Vangardt
Visitor

Posts: 27

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/16 13:19 An update: she is using it now, it just seems she wants to wait until the VERY early morning when she is alone and all the lights are off. I am not really suprised. The only way I really know she used it is hearing the vibrations through the floor andthe droppings left for me to clean up.

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dzmeadows

Admin

Posts: 976

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/16 22:52 lol Congrats! we told you that you would be complaining about the noise and the poopy wheels.

Becca

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PRPogs
User

Posts: 199

Re:Wheel Worries - 2005/07/17 03:44 YAY!!!! Congratulations!

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