What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/07 23:22i really have no clue which wheel to buy im not really all that concerned about the noise even though the cage will be in my sleeping quarters i am more concerned about the safety about my little pal whatever is safest and most comfortable for him is what i need i was looking at the bucket homemade style wheels and they seem cool but they also seem quite slippery and some have mentioned that urine can get trapped in them so any suggestions are very much appreciated thanks!!!!
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CThogs
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 06:25i really have no clue which wheel to buy You may want to check out these-they are the top of the line http://www.qualitycage.com/exwheels.html You can also get either the comfort wheel or the silent spinner from superpet.
also is this a good alternative to the igloo it seems much darker and warmer If you go with that you will probably want two for when they need to be washed. The advantage of the igloos is they clean up quick and easy.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
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smhufflepuff
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Posts: 178
Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 08:03I think bucket wheels are the safest and best way to go. Regarding urine getting trapped in them, it all depends on how you angle the bucket. I believe the bucket wheels from Sunshine Quills or Hog Wheel by Chet are adjustable.
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aislinsadia
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Posts: 501
Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 10:36I have three bucket wheels with three very different runners, and I've found that it doesn't matter what angle the bucket is placed at, urine still drizzles down the middle of the wheel.
That's the problem that I foresee with using the quality cage wheels- that wood in the middle looks really problematic because of soaking up the urine. I've asked many people how they really would clean these wheels, and no one can seem to give me a straight answer as far as those wheels and the wood. I just don't seem why you'd want a wheel made of wood like that.
As far as a slippery surface, if you sand down the surface a bit on the bucket wheel, it won't be slippery at all, and it really isn't that slippery once your hedgehog gets used to it. Do keep in mind that this allows for more bacteria growth and is harder to clean if you do sand it down. It'd be just like any of the commercially available wheels that have little "speed bumps" to provide grip while running. I've found unless I put olive oil on the running surface to keep the surface easier to wipe off, the hedgehogs learn how to run on it just fine. I've always thought that the little speed bumps on the wheels would make it a little harder to run than a flat surface, but that's just me Personally, I wouldn't want something like that on my treadmill- but lots of people use them with much success.*~*Steph*~* Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail)
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Stasi
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 10:56Don't most people who get the Quality cage wheels get the all metal ones? They're at the bottom of the QC wheel page.Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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LORI611
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 11:15Okay, I know I'm really new at this but here goes....I got the metal with wood wheel for my hedgie and the wood is an excellent quality hard wood., very washable, and just before I got Hazel someone in the forum came up with the idea of using Glad Press and Seal in the wheel for REAL easy cleanup (I think it was Ann??? I want the right person to get the credit )
Also, the metal is not a totally smooth flat surface it has a bit of texture to it, but not anything that would hold germs.(the people at quality cages are VERY nice and VERY helpful so maybe if you had any questions about what they are made of you could probably call them. Although my little one is still a baby this wheel works great and the quality can't be beat.
I may be wrong but I thought some hedgies had a habit of looking out the side of their wheels when they run so the crossbar on the open wheel might hit them on the head, but like I said I am barely even a novice at this. But I hope this helped a little bit.
LoriLORI, SOUTHINGTON, CT Mom of: Chloe(dog), Mr.Toad(frog) and Hazel the hedgie!!
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CThogs
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 11:26I've always thought that the little speed bumps on the wheels would make it a little harder to run than a flat surface, but that's just me A bunch of mine actually prefer them over the smooth surface-hedgehogs, who knows what they will like
someone in the forum came up with the idea of using Glad Press and Seal in the wheel for REAL easy cleanup (I think it was Ann???
Give Julie the credit for the press n seal. I have some here but never tried it. She was the brave one who actually followed throughAnn Connecticut Hedgehogs
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aislinsadia
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Posts: 501
Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 13:16Stasi wrote: Don't most people who get the Quality cage wheels get the all metal ones? They're at the bottom of the QC wheel page.
Ah good point . I have met some people who do get the wood ones, and they've told me the pee isn't a problem but.... *~*Steph*~* Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail)
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With this igloo it may be hard for you to get the hedgehog out of it if you wanted to. I like the little plastic igloos that you can just lift up. To make the plastic igloo warmer I put a piece of fleece inside that my girl can cuddle in. Here is my suggestion :
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Ignition231
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 16:30wow thanks guys seems like quality cage wheels are the way to go and yeah ill just line an igloo with fleece
thanks again!!!
-john
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jick
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Posts: 290
Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 17:45I have the 11" qualitycage wheel and I love it! I bought the one that is open on both sides so it's very easy to keep clean. Everything just falls off the sides and it's a breeze to wipe off. Also... I've had it for months now and it's still totally silent. Check out Ham's Blog !
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Ignition231
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 21:33is the 15" QC wheel overkill? i just want my hedgie to be safe as possible
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saabgirl9000
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 22:41Ignition231 wrote: is the 15" QC wheel overkill? i just want my hedgie to be safe as possible
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jick
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/02/08 22:51I suppose it depends on what size hedgie you have. I think 11" is a good standard size for most hedgies. I'm not even sure that my hedgehog could even handle something that massive!Check out Ham's Blog !
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belovedgrl
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Posts: 52
Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/17 11:03Ummm...yeah, once you see the 11" you'll be glad you didn't buy the 15"....they are HUGE!!! (But soooo worth it!!!!!)
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HappyHedgie8
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/17 14:18I have the silent spinner and it works fine. Big thing to know though: DONT GET THE COMFORT WHEEL!! Oh gosh don't even get me going they stink! **Mommy of Tweetle the hedgehog!** ~Felicia :]
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omelette
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/17 17:06has anyone had any problems with the quality cage wheel when it's attached to the cage? i'm just trying to figure out whether i want to make a bucket wheel, or just cough up the money for the quality cage wheel.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
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ZooMom
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/17 19:18"I have the silent spinner and it works fine. Big thing to know though: DONT GET THE COMFORT WHEEL!! Oh gosh don't even get me going they stink! "
Leona has had a comfort wheel (first the 8", then the 11") for her entire life (a little over a year and a half) and is quite happy with it. The humans are happy with it too. We had a Silent Spinner for our rats, however, and it broke really quickly. Just goes to show, you can't always tell.
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pricklesnquills
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/19 13:08ZooMom wrote: "I have the silent spinner and it works fine. Big thing to know though: DONT GET THE COMFORT WHEEL!! Oh gosh don't even get me going they stink! "
Leona has had a comfort wheel (first the 8", then the 11") for her entire life (a little over a year and a half) and is quite happy with it. The humans are happy with it too. We had a Silent Spinner for our rats, however, and it broke really quickly. Just goes to show, you can't always tell.
yeah, I have had 4 comfort wheels, and I can't complain. They work pretty well and they are the easiest to come by...Emily Prickles N' Quills Hedgehogs Breeding for Excellent Health, Personality & Color Charlotte, NC www.pricklesnquills.webs.com
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LORI611
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/19 14:08omelette wrote: has anyone had any problems with the quality cage wheel when it's attached to the cage? i'm just trying to figure out whether i want to make a bucket wheel, or just cough up the money for the quality cage wheel.
That's the wheel I use for Hazel and it works great!!I'm thinking that my husband may have had to use two giant washers to help attach it to the cage though.(any hardware store or otherhalves workshops will have them) I also use Glad Press-and-Seal and baby wipes to keep it clean and it works like a charm!! I think that the quality cage wheel would last through many many hedgehogs.LORI, SOUTHINGTON, CT Mom of: Chloe(dog), Mr.Toad(frog) and Hazel the hedgie!!
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belovedgrl
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/19 14:09omelette wrote: has anyone had any problems with the quality cage wheel when it's attached to the cage? i'm just trying to figure out whether i want to make a bucket wheel, or just cough up the money for the quality cage wheel.
Nope, I've not had any issues when the quality cage wheel is attached to the cage. It attaches differently than most wheels -- the metal stand actually hangs on the side of it, rather than something like the spinner where you unscrew the plastic bolt and attach it that way. It is a little bit harder to remove for cleaning, if your cage has a top and isn't very wide...but the ease of cleaning and long lasting-ness outweighs this for me. Personal preference I guess
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/19 22:22I just tried the Press and Seal trick and WOW, it really works! It was also funny watching Harley try figure out what the heck I did to HIS wheel!
~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!
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aislinsadia
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/20 09:24Anyone with the quality cage wheels have any problems though with the bars that run across the sides of the wheel? I was recently looking at these wheels (to replace two faulty ones) and noticed that bar- something that I've heard people caution against. But everyone seems to rave about these wheels so I'm not so sure....*~*Steph*~* Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail)
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jick
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Re:What wheel to buy??? - 2008/03/20 10:07It's the only wheel that Ham has ever used and he seems to do fine with it. It's possible that he's been "trained" not to hop off mid spin?Check out Ham's Blog !
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Hedgehog Forums 
Personally, I wouldn't want something like that on my treadmill- but lots of people use them with much success.
I want the right person to get the credit
