Glad to be here!

[Maz]

Definitely 12". People are using 9" wheels for dwarf hamsters these days They run much better when the wheel is bigger. 11" is about the minimum you'd want for a Syrian.

 

[JaysBeans]

How big of a wheel do I need? Does it have to be 12" or can I use a 9" for a female Syrian?

Judging on the size of your hamster, i would get a 10 inch at minimum. but she might grow too big for it, so i say the bigger the better

 

[Maz]

This is what happened with our Syrian. He was really tiny and the 12” wheel was out of stock so he had a 10” one temporarily - he never did run in it very well and he did grow as well. He actually has a 32cm German wheel now (about 13”) as it was the only size in stock and he really loves it. He can stand up straight and swing in it. That would be the same in a 12” wheel. The 13” takes up a bit too much room.

The 12” silent runner is a really popular wheel - it spins really well and is actually silent (it has ball bearings). They also seem to last a very long time and not break or fall apart. It’s also not bulky or deep so doesn’t seem too huge.

The acrylic niteangel wheels are also popular now but they cost a bit more generally and I have seen reports of the odd one cracking. I think you can actually still get an 11” wodent wheel in the US but the manufacturer has changed so not sure about the quality. I always found those a pain to take apart and not necessarily silent. Plus I don’t think they are as safe as the silent runner (the orange one with holes).

That’s silent “runner” not silent “spinner “ the 12” silent spinner is not silent and sometimes doesn’t actually spin very well! They used to be popular but they also had a manufacture change and there are better wheels to be had.

 

[AnimalAddict]

Thanks, that's really helpful because I've been searching Amazon, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, and all the online pet stores and am getting so confused with the different ones available. Also a little surprised that the wheel has gotten so expensive, double what I paid for my little girl!

I set her up in the squirrel cage yesterday (I had to get her out of that fish tank that she kept escaping from) and I put the 12" metal one in there for now. Holy cow - apparently she loved it because she was up by 4:00 pm and running her little butt off and kept going for hours! This morning I found her sleeping under it in the bedding. I know I need to replace that (will have to take the cage apart to get it out and get a new one in) so I will order one today.

Thanks for the tip about silent runner versus silent spinner, I have seen both and am now glad to know the preferred one.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I understand she really needs a wheel but I would not use the metal wheel while waiting as they are not safe for hamsters and she could hurt her paws.

 

[Maz]

I think it’s ok for a few days - it’s a balance between no wheel and going bananas and the risk of bumblefoot after just a few days. I suggested possibly sticking cardboard over the mesh surface temporarily.

Yes the price of everything has gone up hugely since the pandemic started. The 12” silent runner used to be 15 dollars before the pandemic and is now 25 dollars! All wheels seem to have got expensive now. With the silent runner though I think it’s worth it. With other wheels I’ve had they have broken or something has fallen apart and then you need to buy another one so it ends up more expensive.

 

[elusive]

She may be using the wheel a lot due to the stress of the move so it is probably better to leave this one in if it is just for a few days.

 

[AnimalAddict]

Lord knows I've got enough cardboard hanging around, but can't picture how to add that to protect her feet. Just attach a circle of cardboard with zipties? Won't that be too slippery for her?

 

[Maz]

I’m not sure either! Maybe too tricky. Some people glue cork running tracks on some wheels but that comes pre adhesived and you need to be careful with glue obviously. It’s probably best to get a wheel delivered next day delivery if possible and hope the current one is ok short term. Which sounds like an ouch moment.

 

[AnimalAddict]

Looking at $36 USD for one I can get within a day or two. The local petstore (big chain) that I created a Premier VIP account with specifically for the hamster offers me 20% off all hamster-related purchases but all they have is the 9". Online now with a rep from the company and they are no help. May have to bite the bullet and pass on the discount.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Would you be able to get a wheel from Amazon? I have Niteangel wheels and I love them. They are so quiet.

 

[AnimalAddict]

Checking on the NiteAngel, but a see an online shop has a Silent Runner in a 12" regular and 12" WIDE. I can get the wide for $40. Don't imagine there's any harm in a tall, wide one?

 

[Maz]

I think you can order the 12" silent runner direct from exotic nutrition. It's $25 there.

 

[RainbowBrite]

The wide one is aimed at sugar gliders. I think it will be too wide for a hamster.

 

[Maz]

Here

Direct from exotic nutrition

 

[Maz]

The wide one is aimed at sugar gliders. I think it will be too wide for a hamster.

Someone has used it for a hamster I think but it's overly expensive and doesn't need to be that deep. I agree the standard one would be better.

Exotic nutrition are actually the manufacturers of the silent runner and they sell them direct. They may do 2 or 3 day delivery even if not next day.

 

[AnimalAddict]

Here

Direct from exotic nutrition

DUH - why didn't I think of going direct!?!?!? NEED MORE COFFEE! I just put it in my cart and may as well shop for other stuff to get the free shipping, right? THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!

 

[AnimalAddict]

Someone has used it for a hamster I think but it's overly expensive and doesn't need to be that deep. I agree the standard one would be better.

Exotic nutrition are actually the manufacturers of the silent runner and they sell them direct. They may do 2 or 3 day delivery even if not next day.

Gotta bug you one more time (that's a lie, there will be a LOT more times!) I want to get her the best quality hamster food in this same order but hamster food seems to be the one pet they DON'T have food for, just treats. Am I seeing that right?

 

[RainbowBrite]

It is very hard to find good quality hamster food in the US. Chubby cheeks hamster food is popular but will need supplementing. With store brands Higgins vita garden can be used but will also need supplementing with protein.

 

[Maz]

Gotta bug you one more time (that's a lie, there will be a LOT more times!) I want to get her the best quality hamster food in this same order but hamster food seems to be the one pet they DON'T have food for, just treats. Am I seeing that right?

They need a good muesli mix with at least 18% of protein. But yes there aren't many good hamster mixes in the US (or the Uk - we rely on ones from Germany a lot!).. The one thing you can get easily and fairly cheaply that contains everything needed and is sugar free, is Harry Hamster or Hazel Hamster. It's really not a bad mix. And good for a new owner as no need to supplement. I use it half and half with another mix. It has good sized pieces for a syrian. Hazel hamster is just the US branding for Harry Hamster - the contents are identical (although the way the contents are labelled is different). If you can get that easily it would be a good start. The Higgins mix needs the protein supplementing.

They also need a tiny bit of veg daily. And they really love that. And I mean tiny! It means they eat it all and don't hoard it so it doesn't go off. About 1cm cubed size (although doesn't have to be square!). Eg a cube of cucumber or a tiny broccoli floret - both those keep a long time in the fridge I find.