I bought my rat a new cage with a hamster wheel attached to it and it's been 2 months already and she still hasn't used her wheel. She just sniffs it and then hides under the little stairs that the cage has. Why isn't she using it? Is something wrong with her?
2007-09-26 03:21:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Some rats like wheels and others dont, so it isnt a big deal she isnt using her wheel. Just make sure you have other stuff in her cage for her to play with. Edible cardboard tubes are a favorite among rats.
2007-09-26 03:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by midnightjoker 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rats don't really like wheels, they are to smart to just run in circles going nowhere like a hamster. Also if it is a hamster wheel and is not a enclosed wheel it is not safe for a rat. If a rat ran in it their tail can be caught in the space between the wheel spokes....so I would take it out and get your rat some tubes or a hammock, stuff to climb and hide in that is what they enjoy most.
2007-09-26 10:29:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some rats love wheels, some don't. I have 3 rats and two of them love the wheel and one of them won't touch it. And the two who like it took 6 months to begin using it, so you may want to leave it in there in case she becomes interested.
2007-09-29 11:25:26 · answer #3 · answered by vegan_megan81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My rats don't use a wheel either. I just make sure they get a lot of time outside their cage for exercise.
2007-09-26 10:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by KityKity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some rats dont like to use the wheel cause they are not used to it. its good to start rats on the wheel at a young age but if you dont they may not like it all that much. My rats personally dont like their wheel. Maybe your rat hurt itself on the wheel or just doesnt like it.
2007-09-26 17:38:01 · answer #5 · answered by Doe-Is-Me 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ummmm. It's a rat. The wheel was designed and developed by and for hamsters. Ask any hamster, they'll tell you.
Rats... they just like to stand around and look cool. Maybe boost a few electronic items every now and then.
2007-09-26 10:30:49 · answer #6 · answered by Yulik MahBaht 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The first one I had got it's tail caught in the wheel (It was my first and the pet store told me they need the wheels.. ).. I took it out and bought one of the large balls.. he loved that.. So, I would suggest getting those.. it allows them to investigate the house (or even the yard).. they can smell through the holes, but the holes are not big enough to get the tail caught..
Oh, and as someone else mentioned.. they do like to roam around without the ball.. but if it's not safe for them, in a particular room it's better to have them in the ball.. do allow them freetime to roam outside it somewhere though.
2007-09-26 11:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by kaijawitch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are really big chickens. The wheel most likely scares the rat and I would take it out if I were you. I had one of those balls for my rat and he was scared to death of the thing. Just would sit in it and poop, poop, poop. I had to teach him to go through a tube, cuz he was scared of that too. They are the best little pets tho!!
2007-09-26 12:37:46 · answer #8 · answered by Deb S (SFECU) pray4revival 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rats don't use wheels. Their backs do not bend the way that hamsters/gerbils/mice do.
2007-09-26 14:08:15 · answer #9 · answered by Louise 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋