One of the favorite activities of hamsters is, without a doubt, to use the wheel. It keeps them active not only physically, but also mentally, being a great exercise to stimulate the good he alth of this small rodent.
However, some hamsters stop running in their wheel at any moment, and others always avoid them altogether. This is when the question arises for the human companions of these animals Why doesn't my hamster use the wheel? While his other behaviors seem to be normal around his environment. Keep reading and discover the possible reason:
Your hamster is old
You have taken such good care of your pet that it has reached a mature age. And going through this door represents the same changes for hamsters as it does for humans. With the arrival of old age come physical problems.
Your pet is no longer as active as before, nor is she in the same physical condition. For example, arthritis is a very typical disease in older hamsters. Which means that if your pet has this disease in any of her joints, it can be uncomfortable and even painfulrunning on the wheel
If your hamster is older and stops using the wheel, it is best to visit the vet to rule out diseases of the time such as arthritis and recommend a diet that will keep it away from possible obesity.
The size of the wheel
One of the most common reasons that hamsters stop using wheels is because they have grown and They are too small They find it uncomfortable and in some cases even painful because they have to arch their backs too much to make any movement, so they avoid them altogether. It is important that when your pet uses the wheel, its back is completely straight, if it arches, it can cause severe back problems.
If your hamster is very active and this happens, a solution would be to buy a new wheel suitable for its size. It is best to choose the largest one for the species of your hamster, especially when the animal is small and you don't know how big it can grow (it will always be safer to have a big wheel than one that is too small and the best thing is that in the future you will not have to buy another). The other solution would be to take him out to play in a controlled garden where he can exercise.
The design of the wheel
Perhaps your hamster doesn't exactly like that wheel you bought for him (yes, animals also have tastes) it may be that the wheel doesn't turn the way he likes the most or he finds it uncomfortable material. For example, the barred wheel can present claw problems and increase the chance your pet will dislocateor break some of the limbs, and it may also happen that you can't move it, so sooner rather than later you'll stop trying to roll on it.
The ideal ones and that hamsters like the most are those made of plastic or wood that have a solid floorIf in your case you have a wheel with bars, a homemade solution that you can apply is to paste a rough cardboard all over the wheel, resembling a smooth floor but not slippery. If you have the money try to buy a couple of wheels of different designs, this way, your hamster will stay more entertained. Remember to cut your pet's claws well so that with less reason it runs over the surface of the wheel.
A scandalous wheel
One of the less common but possible reasons is that the wheel turns out to be too loud every time it is activated. You should first make sure that it rolls smoothly and without knocking over, and above all it doesn't make any noise, since some hamsters find it quite unpleasant and even more so if they are of the highly strung.
Try applying a few drops of olive oil to see if oiling stops the noise, and if not, you may need to switch to a quieter wheel.
Doesn't like to exercise
Maybe your hamster is just a bit lazy and not a fan of exercise. This happens in many cases and even more so if the animal is older because they are tired all day and prefer to sleep and eat.
This is not strange at all, in fact, there are many cases where the hamster barely touches his wheel. Try to decipher the character of your pet, remember that not all hamsters have the same personality, some are more active, others more sedentary
The wheel is not the only option
It doesn't matter if you have the best design, be the quietest and most comfortable wheel in the world. Perhaps your hamster simply does not like his wheel… And it is not personal against the one you have acquired for him, it is that he does not like any wheel. If this is the case, don't insist on using it, try other options like climbing trees or play towers.
On the other hand there are other hamsters that prefer a more organic exercise, that is, freely running around the house, going up and down the stairs, run on the bed and jump pillows. Let your pet experiment in his own home, yes, keep your attention on him, he is small and can go unnoticed
