my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/04 15:10i recently (about a month ago) got my first hedgehog. she didn't have a wheel in her previous cage (i got her from someone who didn't want her anymore), but i read about how much hedgies like to run on wheels, so i got her one. it's a silent spinner wheel about 11" or so. i got it a few days after i brought her home. i have yet to see her use it once. so maybe she uses it when i'm not looking? but if hedgies are prone to urinating or defecating in their wheels, then why hasn't she? is there something else that i should try? are some hedgies just not interested in running in wheels?Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Jack - Guinea Pig Artex - Hamster Lesley - Hermit Crab
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
zorra578
User
Posts: 404
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/04 15:17Chances are the room may not be dark enough or you peak in on her too much? I know some hedgehogs, especially mine, are extremely picky about their standards when it comes to wheeling. Especially when it comes to how much light is in the room.Jessica Des Plaines, IL
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
mschwindt
User
Posts: 95
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/04 22:51when i put Kiki back in her cage for the evening i turn off the lights and place her in her wheel and push it a little bit so she has to shuffle to kep up. I close the lid to her cage with her on the wheel and go to bed. I did this for a few days before i heard her running in the dark. She still doesn't like running when any of us are awake and have the lights on, but i have a poop coated wheel when she gets a dark room to herself.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Some hedgehogs will NOT use a wheel. It's best to start them out young or they may never take to it. If she didn't have a wheel before, you can try what zorra578 suggested. I know Harley only runs in a dark room. But Harley is my 4th hedgehog and the 1st who was young enough when I got him to take to his wheel, which he adores. My first three were adults and never had a wheel prior to me. Isabel thought it was a rocking chair! lol
It's worth adding, Harley's breeder (who hangs out here) gave him his 1st wheel. Wheels are great because hedgehogs need exercise. If yours isn't running on the wheel make sure to spend lots of playtime with her so that she still gets the exercise she needs.
~Sara
Post edited by: Hedgehogmadhatter, at: 2008/01/09 17:00“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
omelette
User
Posts: 284
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/09 22:17so a day after i made my first post, omelette finally used her wheel. i got into bed a few nights ago; all the lights were off, and to my amazement i hear a strange noise. it sounds like a plastic wheel turning! huzzah! i jump out of bed and immediately turn on the light. as soon as omelette saw me she got off of her wheel. oh well, i went back to bed. then i hear her go at it again. aw the sweet sound of a hedgie finally using her wheel! but how strange, i guess the lights do really need to be off. needless to say, when i awoke and took a look at the wheel, it was absolutely filthy! but i must say i was thrilled she finally used it.Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Jack - Guinea Pig Artex - Hamster Lesley - Hermit Crab
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Stasi
Admin
Posts: 614
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/10 07:58Just imagine what a room full of wheeling hedgehogs sounds like. Now picture the deafening silence when I turn on the light.... Most of them don't get off the wheel, just stop, and sit there until the light goes back off. I guess it's the 'if I don't move, you can't see me' thing. I don't often do it, but occasionally it happens, and I laugh everytime. Silly hedgies.Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Hedgehogmadhatter
User
Posts: 319
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/10 14:52What I am trying to figure out is why a hedgehog will play out in the open, let you pet them, be completely comfortable hanging out with but BUT when you turn on that light while they are on the wheel, they freeze. Is it a slight shock because the room went from dark to light? Hmmm....
Also how does Stasi wash all those wheels? lol
~Sara“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
zorra578
User
Posts: 404
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/10 15:31Stasi wrote: Just imagine what a room full of wheeling hedgehogs sounds like. Now picture the deafening silence when I turn on the light.... Most of them don't get off the wheel, just stop, and sit there until the light goes back off. I guess it's the 'if I don't move, you can't see me' thing. I don't often do it, but occasionally it happens, and I laugh everytime. Silly hedgies.
I giggled so much at the thought of that! Jessica Des Plaines, IL
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Stasi
Admin
Posts: 614
Re:my hedgie won't use her wheel! - 2008/01/10 15:44Hedgehogmadhatter wrote: What I am trying to figure out is why a hedgehog will play out in the open, let you pet them, be completely comfortable hanging out with but BUT when you turn on that light while they are on the wheel, they freeze. Is it a slight shock because the room went from dark to light? Hmmm....
Hedgehog Forums 
