New first timer - So I'm supposed to clean the wheel every few days, right? But also not disturb the sleeping nest? Well...

[aFunnyThingHappened]

[A sleeping Syrian hamster half buried in the nest he made behind the running wheel]

Can't make this easy, Laundry, can we?

[Patrick from SpongeBob saying "It seems we have reached an impasse" as SpongeBob and The Flying Dutchman do tug-of-war with a sock]

 

[aFunnyThingHappened]

Is there any way to edit? Didn't realize my phone butchered the post title XD

 

[Socks' Mum]

Maz can edit posts if you ask her I think it's OK to leave the wheel for a bit. It is tricky though. Can you move the wheel to another spot and put a hide in this spot to stop him going to where the wheel is to nest?

 

[aFunnyThingHappened]

Maz can edit posts if you ask her I think it's OK to leave the wheel for a bit. It is tricky though. Can you move the wheel to another spot and put a hide in this spot to stop him going to where the wheel is to nest?

If it's okay to leave for a few more days (it's been 4 days since he came home), I think i will wait and hope that once he gets more adjusted (the Humane Society said he was shy at first but comes out of his shell p soon) he'll move his bed out of the current hiding spot

 

[Maz]

Is there any way to edit? Didn't realize my phone butchered the post title XD

Edited I wouldn't worry about trying to remove the wheel to clean it. I sometimes just leave it in place and give it a wipe inside with a damp cloth if needed Is he actually peeing in it? Many do but some don't.

 

[aFunnyThingHappened]

Edited I wouldn't worry about trying to remove the wheel to clean it. I sometimes just leave it in place and give it a wipe inside with a damp cloth if needed Is he actually peeing in it? Many do but some don't.

Thanks! Doesn't look or smell like he's peeing in it, but just wanted to cover my bases as I get the hang of being a hamster parent

 

[Maz]

They don't like their wheels being washed In fact sometimes they stop using it if it's been washed, but you can usually tempt them back in by putting a smelly treat in there - eg a bit of cucumber, a walnut half or a tiny bit of cheddar cheese. It has to be done sometimes, but I do it "as and when" and not every few days and in between that, just a wipe with a damp cloth

 

[Amy]

Edited I wouldn't worry about trying to remove the wheel to clean it. I sometimes just leave it in place and give it a wipe inside with a damp cloth if needed Is he actually peeing in it? Many do but some don't.

That’s what I do, just swipe the running surface with a damp cloth

 

[Amy]

They don't like their wheels being washed In fact sometimes they stop using it if it's been washed, but you can usually tempt them back in by putting a smelly treat in there - eg a bit of cucumber, a walnut half or a tiny bit of cheddar cheese. It has to be done sometimes, but I do it "as and when" and not every few days and in between that, just a wipe with a damp cloth

When I clean it Nibbles jumps in starts walking with his nose on the wheel floor like a bloodhound he doesn’t “rocket pee” on it anymore, he only did that the first days