Hi Rachel! Ok, so I think I've settled on the 10 inch (med) Niteangel for my tiny Dolly (I had commented on the other wheel video about how she was flipping so much on the 8 inch one). Tried the 10 inch Bucatstate last night but it was too heavy for her to move. Tonight after watching her on the new 10 inch Niteangel, I was so happy at first- she was keeping in the same spot, didn't go up too far when she did roll up the wheel a bit... but then after a while when I was sitting on the couch I could hear that distinctive "thumping" sound and I went to watch what was happening- she was now being pulled up higher than before and rolling down/falling down and sometimes it looked like she was even pancaked on the bottom while the wheel kept going. :( And she did fall out a couple times, picked herself up, looked a little confused, lol, and then went right back to it, lol. They're so determined! Or not very bright, I can't decide, lol. I think part of what happens is that once the wheel is a little "dirty" (like after she's peed on it), it's less smooth and her little feet have more grip and it changes her control- if that makes sense? I noticed last night when I wiped down her 8 inch Niteangel she was fine again for about 15 minutes, and then the flipping started again... And tonight, it was the same on the 10 inch. At least it's not a full drop on the 10 inch, and even though I hate that she's flipping at all, I'm hoping part of it is just that she's young and just needs to learn how to control her running... I have to keep reminding myself that as of ten days ago, she'd never even been on a wheel like this in her life, lol (she had a 6 inch saucer wheel at the store). I guess if it's still happening in a couple weeks, I'll try yet another wheel, lol. I'm keeping the 8 inch Niteangel and the 10 inch Bucatstate for future hamsters. Or maybe once she gets a little bigger, she'll be able to move the Bucatstate- it's so cute, I got the light pink one and I just want to see her running in it, lol. I'll actually probably put both in her next cage I'm planning to build in the next couple weeks. Heaven knows it'll be big enough, over 1000 sq inches! :) Anyway, thank you so so so much for your wheel videos- they really helped!!
aww thank you for updating me! I’m sorry - it sounds like you haven’t quite found the right fit for her yet (although I agree with your thought that she’s provably still learning and growing after only having a teeny disk at the pet store and also being very young herself!) Yes, I don’t doubt that those extra wheels will come in handy! I have found that even throughout my hamsters life I’ve had to change their wheel a few times to accommodate changing preferences or health issues. It’s nice to have some options to try already ready to go when you need it. I suppose the last thing I would think might help her is a cork lined wheel, like the Niteangel Cloud. Maybe the cork would help her grip? I also like this wheel bc it’s very light and easy to push. And possibly the cork would help her slow down the wheel when she wants. Not trying to tell you to go out and get another wheel… it’s just the one thing I wonder 💭 But yes- agreed with the pee- sometimes I wonder if they pee on purpose to get some grip 😂. Maybe it’s worth going back to the 8” Until she grows a bit and gets more comfy? Or keeping both in, as you say, I like that idea! Oof I know it’s so hard to hear those thumps… I hate them 😩. I have heard the odd rumor of people talking about their hamsters getting hurt from the wheel, but personally I’ve never seen it or known Anyone who has dealt with it. So hopefully, any injuries are rare during this time of wheel learning. I remember Steven, my first robo, used to flip and fall a lot at first. I was constantly trying new wheels, then eventually leaving many sized wheels in his cage for him to try (as you are planning to do!). I think this worked out best- I know he didn’t like flipping, so he would sort of gravitate towards the Wheel he was able to use best. At first it was this tiny 6 1/2” wheel I bought from the pet store bc that’s what was recommended for robos. Eventually he seemed to realize that the 10” Kaytee silent spinner worked a bit better for him and I started seeing him on it more and more, often taking naps in it between runs. Eventually I swapped in a 9” silent runner, then a 12” silent runner, until he finally got to the point of being in control most of the time. I think the whole process took a few months before both he and I figured out how he could safely run on a wheel. He also grew up quite a bit in this time and got stronger I’m sure. Hopefully it will go smoother for you Wirh Dolly soon! 🤞 and thanks again for the update! So happy that Dolly has such a caring ham-parent! 😊 🐹 💕
This is so good and helpful cos a lot of people don't realise that you can stop a hamster being flung out of their wheel, they just think it is normal that happens. But how heavy a wheel is, the size of it and whether it is enclosed or not can help a hamster. It took me a while to find one with Comet my robo, as he was a baby when I got him and only 19g and he couldn't move the 9inch silent runner, tried him with a crappy open pet's at home one, he kept getting flung out, I tried him with another open one but slightly larger wheel, still kept getting flung out but eventually when he put some weight on I tried the silent runner again and it was perfect for him. I hate seeing hamsters being flung around, I don't know why people think it is funny or normal.
I know, the videos of hamsters flying off wheels do make me sad too :/ I'm glad to hear I'm not alone with the trial and error- I think it can be tricky to find the right fit, particularly when a hamster is so small but also so energetic (like a teeny robo)! It's a tough combo but finding the right wheel is totally possible!
hehe I KNOW! I have never had a hamster be such a wild man with the wheel, but then I've never had a male dwarf, so maybe he's just particularly energetic! And thank you, I think he is settling in... yesterday he took some chicken from my hand pretty easily, and even kind of held still while I tried to gently pet him. Baby steps!
My runt of the litter flies off his wheel a bit. He is able to get right back on it and doesn’t go far when he’s thrown off of it, so I don’t think it’s too big of an issue, but it’s so weird how it’s a Niteangel 11” silent wheel and he’s a Syrian, so you’d think it would be fine. 😭😂
aww poor thing! I've never had a Syrian hamster so I'm not sure if that's typically an issue, but they are so much larger, I'm surprised! How old is he?
@@lexTS89 aww just a little guy! Well, they do also now make Niteangel XL size (and I believe Bucatstate should be coming out with their XL size soon too)… I know you said he’s a runt but maybe larger will keep him from flinging so far? Hopefully he also fills out and gets a bit more coordinated soon! I think they start to improve in wheel skills around that age, in my experience at least!
I agree. I have11 Niteangel. Wheels like the best one. Unbeatable. And arrive well packed.
Yes! I don't think I've ever had a Niteangel product I didn't love!
Hi Rachel! Ok, so I think I've settled on the 10 inch (med) Niteangel for my tiny Dolly (I had commented on the other wheel video about how she was flipping so much on the 8 inch one). Tried the 10 inch Bucatstate last night but it was too heavy for her to move. Tonight after watching her on the new 10 inch Niteangel, I was so happy at first- she was keeping in the same spot, didn't go up too far when she did roll up the wheel a bit... but then after a while when I was sitting on the couch I could hear that distinctive "thumping" sound and I went to watch what was happening- she was now being pulled up higher than before and rolling down/falling down and sometimes it looked like she was even pancaked on the bottom while the wheel kept going. :( And she did fall out a couple times, picked herself up, looked a little confused, lol, and then went right back to it, lol. They're so determined! Or not very bright, I can't decide, lol. I think part of what happens is that once the wheel is a little "dirty" (like after she's peed on it), it's less smooth and her little feet have more grip and it changes her control- if that makes sense? I noticed last night when I wiped down her 8 inch Niteangel she was fine again for about 15 minutes, and then the flipping started again... And tonight, it was the same on the 10 inch. At least it's not a full drop on the 10 inch, and even though I hate that she's flipping at all, I'm hoping part of it is just that she's young and just needs to learn how to control her running... I have to keep reminding myself that as of ten days ago, she'd never even been on a wheel like this in her life, lol (she had a 6 inch saucer wheel at the store). I guess if it's still happening in a couple weeks, I'll try yet another wheel, lol. I'm keeping the 8 inch Niteangel and the 10 inch Bucatstate for future hamsters. Or maybe once she gets a little bigger, she'll be able to move the Bucatstate- it's so cute, I got the light pink one and I just want to see her running in it, lol. I'll actually probably put both in her next cage I'm planning to build in the next couple weeks. Heaven knows it'll be big enough, over 1000 sq inches! :) Anyway, thank you so so so much for your wheel videos- they really helped!!
aww thank you for updating me! I’m sorry - it sounds like you haven’t quite found the right fit for her yet (although I agree with your thought that she’s provably still learning and growing after only having a teeny disk at the pet store and also being very young herself!)
Yes, I don’t doubt that those extra wheels will come in handy! I have found that even throughout my hamsters life I’ve had to change their wheel a few times to accommodate changing preferences or health issues. It’s nice to have some options to try already ready to go when you need it.
I suppose the last thing I would think might help her is a cork lined wheel, like the Niteangel Cloud. Maybe the cork would help her grip? I also like this wheel bc it’s very light and easy to push. And possibly the cork would help her slow down the wheel when she wants. Not trying to tell you to go out and get another wheel… it’s just the one thing I wonder 💭
But yes- agreed with the pee- sometimes I wonder if they pee on purpose to get some grip 😂.
Maybe it’s worth going back to the 8”
Until she grows a bit and gets more comfy? Or keeping both in, as you say, I like that idea! Oof I know it’s so hard to hear those thumps… I hate them 😩. I have heard the odd rumor of people talking about their hamsters getting hurt from the wheel, but personally I’ve never seen it or known Anyone who has dealt with it. So hopefully, any injuries are rare during this time of wheel learning.
I remember Steven, my first robo, used to flip and fall a lot at first. I was constantly trying new wheels, then eventually leaving many sized wheels in his cage for him to try (as you are planning to do!). I think this worked out best- I know he didn’t like flipping, so he would sort of gravitate towards the Wheel he was able to use best. At first it was this tiny 6 1/2” wheel I bought from the pet store bc that’s what was recommended for robos. Eventually he seemed to realize that the 10” Kaytee silent spinner worked a bit better for him and I started seeing him on it more and more, often taking naps in it between runs. Eventually I swapped in a 9” silent runner, then a 12” silent runner, until he finally got to the point of being in control most of the time. I think the whole process took a few months before both he and I figured out how he could safely run on a wheel. He also grew up quite a bit in this time and got stronger I’m sure.
Hopefully it will go smoother for you Wirh Dolly soon! 🤞 and thanks again for the update! So happy that Dolly has such a caring ham-parent! 😊 🐹 💕
@@RachelGotHamsters Yes, I was wondering if cork would help her... I'll probably try that next :)
He is such a bundle of energy! Maz
Hehe so much energy!! He’s so fun 🤩
This is so good and helpful cos a lot of people don't realise that you can stop a hamster being flung out of their wheel, they just think it is normal that happens. But how heavy a wheel is, the size of it and whether it is enclosed or not can help a hamster. It took me a while to find one with Comet my robo, as he was a baby when I got him and only 19g and he couldn't move the 9inch silent runner, tried him with a crappy open pet's at home one, he kept getting flung out, I tried him with another open one but slightly larger wheel, still kept getting flung out but eventually when he put some weight on I tried the silent runner again and it was perfect for him. I hate seeing hamsters being flung around, I don't know why people think it is funny or normal.
I know, the videos of hamsters flying off wheels do make me sad too :/ I'm glad to hear I'm not alone with the trial and error- I think it can be tricky to find the right fit, particularly when a hamster is so small but also so energetic (like a teeny robo)! It's a tough combo but finding the right wheel is totally possible!
Hi yeah that's what my robo has I'm glad I got the correct one lol thanks for sharing 👍
He’s a little dare devil zero fear throwing himself on and off the those wheels, he’s really enjoying his enclosure he’s settled in nicely.
hehe I KNOW! I have never had a hamster be such a wild man with the wheel, but then I've never had a male dwarf, so maybe he's just particularly energetic! And thank you, I think he is settling in... yesterday he took some chicken from my hand pretty easily, and even kind of held still while I tried to gently pet him. Baby steps!
@@RachelGotHamsters Aw that’s lovely he’s showing signs of becoming really special.
your new hammie so adorable and cute 😍😍
My runt of the litter flies off his wheel a bit. He is able to get right back on it and doesn’t go far when he’s thrown off of it, so I don’t think it’s too big of an issue, but it’s so weird how it’s a Niteangel 11” silent wheel and he’s a Syrian, so you’d think it would be fine. 😭😂
aww poor thing! I've never had a Syrian hamster so I'm not sure if that's typically an issue, but they are so much larger, I'm surprised! How old is he?
@@RachelGotHamsters He’s six months! 😂💕
@@lexTS89 aww just a little guy! Well, they do also now make Niteangel XL size (and I believe Bucatstate should be coming out with their XL size soon too)… I know you said he’s a runt but maybe larger will keep him from flinging so far? Hopefully he also fills out and gets a bit more coordinated soon! I think they start to improve in wheel skills around that age, in my experience at least!
@@RachelGotHamsters I hope so! He loves his wheel! 💕