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Norbert Wrigglebottom
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
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I think it’s perfect 
. They usually need about two weeks to fully settle in anyway and scent mark everything so I would wait now before doing anything else. He will soon let you know if something isn’t right for him but I’m sure he’ll be very happy with that. He looks like such a happy perky little boy! I think he loves it! It must be luxury for him!
. They usually need about two weeks to fully settle in anyway and scent mark everything so I would wait now before doing anything else. He will soon let you know if something isn’t right for him but I’m sure he’ll be very happy with that. He looks like such a happy perky little boy! I think he loves it! It must be luxury for him!
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Thank you so much!I think it’s perfect
It's a very well thought out cage. There isn't anything that needs urgently changing in my opinion. I'm sure Norbert is very happy.
Maybe in time he may need a bigger wheel. 10" is on the small side for a syrian. 11-12" is typically preferred but It depends on how big he is. If he is a relatively small syrian he may not have an issue. Just something to keep an eye on.
Maybe in time he may need a bigger wheel. 10" is on the small side for a syrian. 11-12" is typically preferred but It depends on how big he is. If he is a relatively small syrian he may not have an issue. Just something to keep an eye on.
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Hi Riven, oddly enough I was just coming on to talk about his wheel.. he has barely used the one in his video, hops on, takes a couple of half hearted runs (a few seconds at most) and gets straight off. I put his smaller wheel in (about 8") and he loves it. Size wise, he does look like a pea on a drum in the bigger one, and the smaller one is more.. hmmm.. 'snug' if you get me. However his little back is straight and not arched on the smaller one. Also, the internal ridges on the smaller one are not as pronounced. I'm thinking maybe his little feet like the smoother feel? I've seen some on Amazon that don't appear to have ridges at all, so maybe that's the way forward for him.
For a little £10 dumped hamster, he's battered my bank account to the tune of around £300 so far, the little cash gobbler
Never begrudged tho, he had no say in coming to me, so whatever enhances his world he will get I'd be glad of further opinions on the wheel situation as it currently stands though if you/ anybody can oblige? His feet are very important to me, especially having seen the sickening affect of bumblefoot in my rescue sanctuary
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Just to add: although he would probably find it very distressing at this point to have his little bifters physically examined, I have had very good close up views of them when he puts his 'hands' on the glass, and also when he pressed his hind feet on the glass one day for leverage when he was disappearing head first under his floor substrate. Beautifully healthy lookingHi Riven, oddly enough I was just coming on to talk about his wheel.. he has barely used the one in his video, hops on, takes a couple of half hearted runs (a few seconds at most) and gets straight off. I put his smaller wheel in (about 8") and he loves it. Size wise, he does look like a pea on a drum in the bigger one, and the smaller one is more.. hmmm.. 'snug' if you get me. However his little back is straight and not arched on the smaller one. Also, the internal ridges on the smaller one are not as pronounced. I'm thinking maybe his little feet like the smoother feel? I've seen some on Amazon that don't appear to have ridges at all, so maybe that's the way forward for him.
For a little £10 dumped hamster, he's battered my bank account to the tune of around £300 so far, the little cash gobbler
I'd be glad of further opinions on the wheel situation as it currently stands though if you/ anybody can oblige? His feet are very important to me, especially having seen the sickening affect of bumblefoot in my rescue sanctuary
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RainbowBrite
Maybe he would like it if you added a cork lining to his wheel? It would be softer for his little paws. You can buy cork lining and cut it to size.
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Ooooh yes! And I have a roll of cork that I bought for DIY projects for Norbert
Not the self adhesive type neither, as I was concerned about what glue they may use. I shall try that, thank you so much!
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Hi. I am sure he wouldn’t get bumblefoot from the ridges on a wheel like the ones you have. It is mainly mesh that causes that. Even the larger wooden struts on the early wood wheels didn’t cause bumble foot. When you first said he wasn’t using his wheel much I was about to say - he might be finding it a bit small! Because usually when they avoid using a wheel. But then you said he was enjoying the 8” wheel. I doubt the 10” is too big for him to enjoy - most people consider that on the small side fora Syrian - but I do think it’s a strange size - neither one thing nor the other. I had a 10” wheel in Raffy’s cage at first as he arrived quicker than the wheel I was buying. He did use it (it had a smooth surface but was too slippery) but he didn’t run in it that well - it seemed awkward somehow. He had the 28cm trixie wheel in the playpen and he LOVED that. It’s also about the cheapest wheel . I would try that - the other large ones have got ridiculously expensive.
. I would try that - the other large ones have got ridiculously expensive.
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Just to add - I wouldn’t do thatOoooh yes! And I have a roll of cork that I bought for DIY projects for Norbert
. Not on an 8” or 10” wheel - it’ll make the running diameter even smaller (surprising how much size difference it can make).It’s a good idea for a large wheel but not a small or medium one.
I’d get him a 28cm wheel from Amazon. Costs about £15 and if he doesn’t like it you can send it back
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I think he will love it - most of them do (they like the holes).
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
**- the other large ones have got ridiculously expensive.** Ohhh tell me about it! I saw one for £35! Free standing sure, but to be honest, it looked like something me and my wobbly hands could cobble up out of a biscuit tin! It's reassuring to know wheels are unlikely to cause bumblefootHi. I am sure he wouldn’t get bumblefoot from the ridges on a wheel like the ones you have. It is mainly mesh that causes that. Even the larger wooden struts on the early wood wheels didn’t cause bumble foot. When you first said he wasn’t using his wheel much I was about to say - he might be finding it a bit small! Because usually when they avoid using a wheel. But then you said he was enjoying the 8” wheel. I doubt the 10” is too big for him to enjoy - most people consider that on the small side fora Syrian - but Audi think it’s a strange size - neither one thing nor the other. I had a 10” wheel in Raffy’s cage at first as he arrived quicker than the wheel I was buying. He did use it (it had a smooth surface but was too slippery) but he didn’t run in it that well - it seemed awkward somehow. He had the 28cm trixie wheel in the playpen and he LOVED that. It’s also about the cheapest wheel
Thank you Maz! I will look up the Trixie wheel too, and try that alongside the cork lining on his larger current wheel as Rainbowbrite suggested. If I end up with more than he wants, I will do as I always do, and donate to a little self funded rescue
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I linked it above. £35 used to be expensive but some are now £45-£65! They are good wheels but it’s ridiculous how much prices have gone up (partly import costs). Even the 28cm trixie wheel has gone up by a third (it used to be £9.99).
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Ahh right.. I'll get on to amazon right now! Thank you for the link as well!Just to add - I wouldn’t do that
It’s a good idea for a large wheel but not a small or medium one.
I’d get him a 28cm wheel from Amazon. Costs about £15 and if he doesn’t like it you can send it back
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RainbowBrite
Exotic nutrition sell a 12 inch wheel. It is more sturdy. Here is a link.
Silent Runner 12" regular wheel
southwest-sugargliders.co.uk
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Adding cork to a wheel is always nice but I think he’d be much better with a larger wheel - they run incredibly well in them (providing the wheel spins easily). Our Syrian actually has a 32cm wheel! It’s ridiculously large but it was the only one I could get hold of at the time - but he does run well on it! Adding cork to a 10” wheel would make it smaller. It does seem to enhance their well-being longer term having a larger wheel.
Wheels can cause bumblefoot but it’s the open mesh surfaces that cause it, not ridges on solid surfaces. I do love the cork lined ones as well. The trixie has a good surface - no ridges - just slightly textured. Many thousands of hamsters have had this wheel! They are usually pretty quiet but if you get a stiff or squeaky one just send it back for a replacement! It’s not often that happens though.
The silent runner rainbow mentions is good too, if you want a completely silent wheel but it does cost a lot more.
The other thing that can be bad for their feet is when people add Sandy tracks to a wheel to keep their nails short. That is really bad for their pads and can cause sore feet. It’s not necessary - you can just have a rough tile under a water bottle (or something like a terracotta plant pot base). So their nails are slightly roughened each time they go for a drink but it’s safe for their feet. And it soaks up any drips and is a nice cool place to sit on hot weather!
Wheels can cause bumblefoot but it’s the open mesh surfaces that cause it, not ridges on solid surfaces. I do love the cork lined ones as well. The trixie has a good surface - no ridges - just slightly textured. Many thousands of hamsters have had this wheel! They are usually pretty quiet but if you get a stiff or squeaky one just send it back for a replacement! It’s not often that happens though.
The silent runner rainbow mentions is good too, if you want a completely silent wheel but it does cost a lot more.
The other thing that can be bad for their feet is when people add Sandy tracks to a wheel to keep their nails short. That is really bad for their pads and can cause sore feet. It’s not necessary - you can just have a rough tile under a water bottle (or something like a terracotta plant pot base). So their nails are slightly roughened each time they go for a drink but it’s safe for their feet. And it soaks up any drips and is a nice cool place to sit on hot weather!