How to train a hamster to use a wheel? Hamster in a wheel

The owner should find out why the hamster does not run in a wheel immediately after the pet refuses to exercise. Hamsters are naturally very active, but when kept at home they often avoid training. A passive lifestyle is fraught for the animal with metabolic disorders, the development of obesity, etc. For a pet to be healthy, it needs to expend energy on time. The best option is a running wheel, which allows the animal to run tens or even hundreds of meters every day. But there are often cases when a hamster ignores the simulator - how to deal with such a situation will be discussed in the article.

Why does a hamster refuse to run?

The main reasons why the animal does not run on a wheel are as follows:

The design is unreliable. It is worth conducting a thorough inspection of the simulator and making sure that it is correctly mounted, assembled securely and the device is stable. If the structure is shaky, it must be secured firmly and securely. If there are large gaps between the steps, you need to lay a circular track made of cardboard on the running surface, which will prevent the furry runner's paws from falling through and getting stuck between the rungs and will protect him.
The location of the structure is inconvenient. The height of the placement should correspond to the height of the animal so that it is convenient for the hamster to climb inside the structure. It is important to make sure that there are no obstacles on the pet’s way to the simulator - if the animal is in the way of bowls or a resting house, then they need to be moved so that access to the simulator is free.
The size of the simulator does not correspond to the dimensions of the rodent. The diameter of the wheel should allow the animal to move freely inside the simulator. If the diameter is too small in relation to the dimensions of the hamster, then the animal will be cramped inside such a structure. The diameter of the running circle for a dwarf hamster should be from 12 cm, and for a Syrian hamster – from 18 cm.
The hamster does not like the material of the trainer. There are no recommendations for this case - preferences depend on the individual. Some hamsters love products made of plastic, others - metal.
The device makes a lot of noise when rotating. The loud squeak that a metal running wheel can make frightens the animal and depresses it. For silent rotation, you need to lightly lubricate the mechanism with vegetable oil.
There is a risk of injury. If the design is not well thought out or does not suit the animal, it may get injured when using the simulator. A hamster that hits itself or has its paw pinched will lose the desire to use the dangerous exercise machine. If the design cannot be adjusted, the simulator will have to be replaced.
The rodent is weakened due to illness or advanced age. For these reasons, you should not force your pet to train, lure him into the wheel with treats, etc.

Step-by-step instruction

There are actually quite a lot of options. We will try to analyze the simplest and at the same time effective of them. The upcoming work is not classified as difficult, and even a schoolchild can cope with it.

Tin can and hard drive

You will need a regular tin can, preferably one liter canned food, as well as a damaged hard drive from your computer. First you need to remove the spindle from the disk - to do this, unscrew all the screws, remove the board, and then disconnect the spindle itself - it will act as a rotating element.

Now we take the can and apply markings on it so that the width of the future wheel is approximately 5-7 centimeters. Next, use metal scissors to carefully cut off the excess part.

You can make a hamster wheel from a tin can

The next stage is connecting the spindle to the can blank. To do this, you need to glue it to the bottom of the wheel. For this, use high-quality, preferably industrial glue, and not some PVA, as this will not give any result. Then you need to glue the fabric to ensure the noiselessness of the unit. It is better to bend the edges of the upholstery from the outside, fixing them with the same glue.

The final stage is attaching the finished wheel to the cage. You can use wire for this, but the best option is several bolts with washers and nuts. In the second case, you will need to make corresponding holes in the wheel wall.

Wooden wheel

It is more difficult to make, but it is not only reliable, but also beautiful. It goes without saying that, in addition to a set of tools, you will also need carpenter skills. The wheel is made from separate blanks in the form of ordinary sticks. The frame for the structure must be made of bendable wood so that it can be bent into a sphere. You can also make a frame from wire - it will take much less time.

The wooden wheel looks quite nice

The slats must be placed at the same distance from each other, or at least make sure that this distance is not too large. This is a long job, but the result will please not only your pet, but also you.

Cardboard

This is the simplest option, however, and the least durable. Even a schoolchild can cope with this task. True, there are also certain nuances here that must be taken into account.

Take two pieces of thick cardboard and cut out two round blanks from it. On one of them make a large round hole, on the second - several triangular cutouts and one round cutout in the center. We also make the path out of cardboard. The cut pieces must be of such a size as to fit into the previously prepared triangles. After this, we connect the entire structure using high-quality paper glue. The next step is installing the bushing. It can be purchased in a store or removed from some household mechanism, for example, a bicycle (preferably for children). The sleeve is initially securely attached to the wall of the cage, after which a cardboard structure is put on it.

The process of creating a wheel from cardboard

The advantages of this design are that it is very cheap and can be made relatively easily and quickly. However, there are also disadvantages - first of all, the hamster will definitely chew it (this is the reason why you cannot use painted cardboard), so such a wheel will not last very long.

How to train your pet to exercise

If the device was purchased recently and installed in a cage in compliance with all necessary conditions and recommendations, you should wait a few days, i.e. Give your pet time to get used to the device. After this, the animal should become interested in the simulator.

If the rodent stubbornly does not start using the device, or has stopped using it for an inexplicable reason, you can try to train the hamster to the wheel. You can do this in two ways:

Using your pet's favorite food. Knowing the gastronomic and taste preferences of your furry pet is already half the success. You can find out about them simply by observing your little pet. Once the tasty secret weapon is known, you can begin training. To do this, you need to place the animal’s favorite treat inside the wheel. Then all that remains is to observe again. The aroma of the treat will make the hamster climb into the wheel to get the coveted prize. Treats should be provided until the hamster learns to run. Each time the food should be placed a little higher than before. Such a maneuver will provoke the animal to strive to climb up and turn the running circle.
By blocking the exit. If the treat trick doesn't bring much results, you can use the blocking method. To do this, you need to cover the entrance hole with a piece of cardboard or plywood while the hamster is inside the simulator. Once in a confined space, the animal will find that it cannot get out and will diligently search for an opportunity to get out. In search of a loophole, the hamster will begin to move along the wheel. Once he has completed his run, he can be released. The process must be repeated several times and each of them must certainly end with a run. Soon the rodent will get involved and will happily jog even with an open exit.

Travel speed

Zoologists have long figured out how fast hardworking hamsters spin their wheels. The average speed of the animal at which it accelerates is 5 km/h. This is the same as a person moving on foot. Only a human's legs are tens of times longer than a hamster's. This means that the animal spends many times more energy to turn this wheel.

The energy of hamsters has been haunting people for a long time. After all, their energy can be used for real benefit to humans. This is what the English student did. He used his animal to charge his mobile phone. When his hamster was once again spinning circles in the wheel, the young man brought an electric generator to it, and attached it to the phone charger with the other end. Thus, his mobile device was charged by 10% every few minutes. This is how the pet, without knowing it, generated free energy for its owner.

How can I replace a running wheel?

If everything turned out to be in vain and it was not possible to teach a hamster to run in a wheel, you should take care of replacing the device. Not often, but still among active hamsters who love to run, there are bright individuals who, despite any management tricks, boycott the running wheel. It is impossible to convince such principled animals - neither the size of the structure, nor its material, nor the convenience of location, etc., influence their disdain for the simulator.

Under no circumstances should you allow your pet to lead a passive life. If the animal does not like the running wheel, he needs to find a suitable replacement. As an alternative to the running wheel, you can use a walking ball.

The purpose of the ball is to walk around inside a house or apartment. Hamsters love this device very much and use it with pleasure, since it not only allows them to exercise physically, but also reliably protects them from any surprises during walks. In addition, the ball gives the animal the opportunity to walk around a wide area and stimulates interest in what the rodent sees around. It is also worth noting that there are cases when the ball changed the hamster’s relationship to the wheel and the animal began to use the simulator.

Seven rules for handling a hamster.

Never interrupt your hamster's deep sleep.
Do not squeeze, squeeze or pinch the animal.
If the hamster tries to slip out of your hands, squeaks or purrs, it means that he wants to not be disturbed anymore and should be left alone.
Do not touch the hamster if it lies on its back and bares its teeth - this is the position it takes in case of defense, when it feels that something is threatening it.
When pulling apart fighting hamsters, you must wear leather gloves.
Never pick up an adult hamster by the fur on the back of its neck - when it begins to resist this, it will usually emit a stream of urine.
There is no need to squeeze the animal tightly with your hand, squeeze it between your fingers or squeeze it - for the hamster this means that it has been grabbed by a predator, and it begins to defend itself.

What materials are best to make it from?

You can make a wheel from many available materials:

Tree. Wooden wheels are made from small boards. Ice cream sticks are perfect for this purpose. You will also need a rectangular wooden beam and metal wire. Such a wheel turns out to be durable and requires virtually no financial costs. But if it is not weighted down from below, then it can turn over while running, since it weighs very little.
Tin can or disk. To make it you will need a tin can of the required size, a screwdriver, a knife for cutting metal, a glue gun, and wire. The design is also quite durable. But if the edges of the jar are not treated, the hamster may cut himself on them. In addition, this design does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Cardboard. This wheel is suitable for small rodents, as it is not durable. The design is very simple to make; even a child can do it under the supervision of an adult. Be sure to choose a thick cardboard so that it does not sag under the weight of the hamster.

Have you decided to make a wheel from natural materials?

Why a hamster doesn't run on a wheel, several popular reasons

In their natural habitat, hamsters cover enormous distances in a day. To ensure that the health of the animal at home does not suffer due to lack or lack of physical activity, it is necessary to provide them with a spacious cage and a running wheel. However, in some cases, the hamster stubbornly ignores this simulator, without showing the slightest interest in it. Why doesn't a hamster run on a wheel? Let's try to find out the reasons for this behavior and find out how you can influence the animal.

Why doesn't a hamster run on a wheel and how to teach it

Conclusion

To train a hamster on a running wheel, you need to choose an accessory that suits your pet. Proper selection and installation increases the chances that the animal will use it. However, even this does not guarantee success. A hamster's refusal to turn the wheel is a rare phenomenon, but it does occur. If, despite the efforts of the owners, the animal ignores the running wheel, provide the pet with physical activity using a walking ball. Be attentive to your little furry, then you will be able to understand what he needs for a full and healthy life.