I have wo female rats and an eleven inch wheel and they wont run on it why?
2007-09-16 15:24:49 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Make sure that your wheel has a solid bottom. If its the kind with bars, their tails could get caught. Rats' tails are made of bone, so their tails could break.
In my experience, rats seem to prefer climbing and burrowing to running on a wheel. Also, I don't know if its true, but I heard that if a rat runs on a wheel too much it can hurt her back.
2007-09-16 15:32:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every one of these little guys has a unique personality. Most rats I've known aren't interested in wheels & I've often removed the wheels from their cages in order to give them more room for climbing & other activities.
On the other paw, a few of our females have been interested to *some* degree in using a wheel, even when they've had an entire room to explore. While most of these girls were happy to give the wheel a couple of spins & then jump off, our hairless girl *loves* her wheel & actually holds her tail in a curled position much of the time (this is called, appropriately enough, 'wheel tail' & is kind of cute). What really impressed me though, is our hairless *taught* another girl to use the wheel! They don't just run on it, either-- they bounce, rock & 'dance'.
2007-09-17 02:39:22 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Rats are like people, they have varied interest. I have three rats. Two use it during the day to nap in and one runs all night and the others, even when she has been out, have no interest in running on it. The other thing is, it might not be big enough, check up on that. Leave it there though, they can use it to sleep on, they like that.
2007-09-16 23:38:22 · answer #3 · answered by fifimsp3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem. I have noticed that rats learn a lot from their moms, and if their moms don't use a wheel it is harder for them to learn later. I have a big wheel on my exercise/play area for them, and they occasionally walk on it, but never use it! I have a friend whose rats use it all the time, but her young rats were from does that also ran on the wheels and showed them how when they were young.
2007-09-17 00:13:48 · answer #4 · answered by Kinder/1st grade teacher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are nothing like the usual rodents that do. They are much more intelligent, and they get bored with running in one spot. They prefer challenging activities, such as obtaining a treat from a high distance. If you're concerned about them excercising, they'll often do that on their own while scaling their cage or exploring something. Remember that hamster balls aren't appropriate for rats either.
2007-09-16 22:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My rats never did either. Rats are a LOT smarter than hampsters, mice, gerbils, and other rodents. They know it's pointless to run on a wheel that goes nowhere, so they just don't. It's normal, don't worry.
2007-09-16 22:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by mathaowny 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A government study showed that between food and running wheels, rats often chose running over eating. So maybe your rats are some who just don't like to run. Maybe they will pick up the habit later on, when they get used to it.
2007-09-16 22:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I've noticed that rats like to climb alot. If they are just sitting in one place, thats but. But if they are always climbing around they they are very healthy. Don't worry its natural for some rats.
2007-09-16 22:45:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a 4 inch wheel. i know they will love it.
2007-09-18 21:35:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My two girls don't like wheels either. If it is a wire one, you DON'T want to let them use it! They can easily catch their tails in them. They prefer playing on the bed or being on my shoulder. They make awesome pets!
2007-09-16 22:38:02 · answer #10 · answered by kurt k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋