Terrified of the Wheel.

[Kibble]

So, I got my boyos a wheel, because Archie has very poor eyesight and doesn't like to run around much in the corridor. But they're terrified of it! If I keep the cage open and 'play' with the wheel myself, they'll come up and sniff it cautiously. After a while, I close the lid so they can work it out for themselves. But when I come back an hour later, they've taken their blanket and stuffed it under the wheel so that it can't move at all, and are huddled together, staring fearfully at it.

Is there any way I can them to like the wheel? Archie will run around the cage and the sofa like a mad thing, but if I take him anywhere else, he just clings to my shoulder and poops with fright. He really could do with a bit more exercise, and I'm not sure cowering from the wheel is enough.

 

[mamarat]

When I add something new in the cage I always put treats in or on it. Put a few cheerios in the wheel and just wait it out. How long have you had it in the cage? Some of my rats just use the wheel to sleep in. lol

 

[Godmother]

And once they get used to getting Cheerios out of it, you can smear something tasty like yogurt on it so that they will have to stay in it to get the treat. Good luck! Maybe you need to adopt a wheel-running rat to show them how it's done!

 

[Kibble]

I will do that! I've watched Archie stand outside the wheel and very gingerly turn it with his front paws; the fact that it moves is clearly troubling them. It must be like trying to get into a hammock with your eyes closed and no idea what a hammock is. I'm sure they'll like it once they've worked out how to hop on.

 

[DadRat]

None of our boys ever did more than sniff the wheel and decree it pointless. Couldn't sleep in it, it was not noms, therefore it had no purpose.


Then we got girls...

 

[Dazzle87]

What kind of wheel and how large?

 

[Kibble]

A big ol' wheel, the biggest I could fit in their cage, and solid non-tail-catchy construction. Archie plucked up enough courage to sieze a cornflake from its clutches, but Roland appears genuinely terrified of it - bristling, shying away, pushing clumps of bedding towards it, getting extra-stenchy whenever it's in the cage. I gave them a bridge made of sticks after trying the wheel for the first time, and he likes that just fine, so it's not just an overreaction to anything new.

He's hooded. Kiki is hooded, and she's dumber than rocks. Does the trait run in the colour?

On the plus side, Archie is the one who needs the wheel, and he seems willing to at least turn it from the outside. Maybe my boyfriend'll just have to take Roland for a walk while I give Archie his workout.

 

[MissGuardian]

Mine has never cared for the wheel at all(two boys and a hyperactive girl)..
They aren´t scared of it, but they never use it either.. unless there is nothing else to sleep on=P

 

[Dazzle87]

A big ol' wheel, the biggest I could fit in their cage, and solid non-tail-catchy construction. Archie plucked up enough courage to sieze a cornflake from its clutches, but Roland appears genuinely terrified of it - bristling, shying away, pushing clumps of bedding towards it, getting extra-stenchy whenever it's in the cage. I gave them a bridge made of sticks after trying the wheel for the first time, and he likes that just fine, so it's not just an overreaction to anything new.

He's hooded. Kiki is hooded, and she's dumber than rocks. Does the trait run in the colour?

On the plus side, Archie is the one who needs the wheel, and he seems willing to at least turn it from the outside. Maybe my boyfriend'll just have to take Roland for a walk while I give Archie his workout.

Okay I was asking because for one, rats won't normally use wheels they find too small (the minimum for females is 11 inches, males 12 inches), and two, certain styles scare some rats, like my old girls are terrified of wodent wheels when they'd use other kinds of wheels.

They may never like the wheel, some rats just don't (I have a couple).

Color has nothing to do with any personality/intelligence/etc with rats.

 

[Joanne]

I am disappointed to say that I have never had a rat that actually used the wheel. A few strides once in a while is about it. It's there if they change their mind though...
I would continue to place goodies in the wheel, stuff they really like. If nothing else, they will become accustomed to it and lose their fear of it.

 

[Kibble]

Maybe some rats just don't see the point? Kiki and Roland get all their exercise racing madly up and down the corridor, and the idea of jogging on a treadmill just doesn't entertain them. But Archie's eyes are so bad that he runs into things. I'm hoping he'll like the experience of being able to run to his heart's content, if I can lure him onto the contraption.

 

[Moon]

My first rats weren't interested in the wheel, they only used it to store extra toys and fleece (they actually used it to hold blankies and wooden chews... pretty cute)... but Jo told me that any interest in the wheel at all is environment enrichment for them, so it's worth it to them to have even if they didn't use it as intended

 

[Kimber]

I am currently rotating single males through my cages so they can get used to the scent and the most I've seen any of them do is sit beside it and spin it using their hands...at least their upper body is getting a workout, lol

 

[denial]

My girls have always been wheel obsessed. Any/All of them. Sally & Ely used to double up running on the wheel (cause taking turns is lame...). My boys flipped the wheel over and made it into a nest. I think boys are just lazyyy...

 

[ATez]

Haha! Mine have wheel fright too!
I'm going to attempt slapping baby food on the wheel to encourage them to climb on it.

 

[Bundyrats]

My three girls don't think much of their wheel at all. They have a large Wodent Wheel and it's weally not that exciting for them! Sheba gives it a few spins every now and again but that's about all.

 

[jorats]

but Jo told me that any interest in the wheel at all is environment enrichment for them, so it's worth it to them to have even if they didn't use it as intended

Exactly... don't be discouraged if they don't run in it. Even if they simply sleep in it, it's still something for them to learn and try to understand which is mental stimulation... a good thing for rats.

 

[handmeafish]

I kinda wish my boys didn't liek their wheel as much as they do... It squeaks all night long... and I took it out one time, and they just got restless and made even more noise. so I put up with it. I've been thinking about getting a silent spinner, but they are so fragile, and I'd hate to spend that kind of money for something thats just going to break.

 

[denial]

I have a silent spinner and beside it being a total poo to clean, it's yet to break? Then again, it's one of my temp spinners, small enough for my occasional baby or mouse.

Also, you can use a q-tip to rub a little peanut oil on the squeaky part of your wheel? Just enough to act as lube, not dripping. Some ratties will lick it off, but then you can add a drop of hot sauce and maybe a hint of vinegar (enough to flavor, not to detract from the lube-ness of the oil. I know you can find proper recipes on the web. I had to use 'em for my girl Tonks.

 

[Dazzle87]

I've used a silent spinner for well over a year and it hasn't broken. Wodent wheels are considerably cheaper if you'd want to try that though.