Alternative to wheels
- Thread starter Emiko
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jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
Good luck on your sweeties and be sure to tell us what your vet says!
:doh: I forgot to ask :cry3:
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year and the air conditioning in my car doesn't work. Then I had to wait more than an hour in the waiting room and I was so happy that it was finally my turn and I just wanted to go home... so I forgot to ask :wallbang:
My friend from the rat rescue has got some pictures of wheel runners that have got deformed spines and tails. She just can't find then on the computer at the moment. As soon as she's found them I'll show them to you.
:wink:
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year and the air conditioning in my car doesn't work. Then I had to wait more than an hour in the waiting room and I was so happy that it was finally my turn and I just wanted to go home... so I forgot to ask :wallbang:
My friend from the rat rescue has got some pictures of wheel runners that have got deformed spines and tails. She just can't find then on the computer at the moment. As soon as she's found them I'll show them to you.
:wink:
mercurydust
Well-Known Member
The wheel I have in my cage is quite large and like Jo mentioned when Cordi gets going in it her tail is off to the side and straight.
mercurydust
Well-Known Member
The wheel in my cage is quite large and as Jo mentioned when Cordi runs in her wheel the tail is usually off to the side.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Did anyone find out more info?
Emiko, your rats are very fortunate to free range all the time.
Mine only get a few hours a day although their cages are huge.
If my rats were able to free range whenever they chose, I doubt they would use wheels very much .... but since that isn't possible, they have a large wheel available in case they choose to use it.
Emiko, your rats are very fortunate to free range all the time.
Mine only get a few hours a day although their cages are huge.
If my rats were able to free range whenever they chose, I doubt they would use wheels very much .... but since that isn't possible, they have a large wheel available in case they choose to use it.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
I've seen those chinchilla saucers at Petsmart. I don't know if it's worth trying it, especially with Godmother's girls not bothering at all.
NezumiNeko
Well-Known Member
I think that wheels are worth it. I usually take my rats out when they are sleepy, so they pretty much just cuddle, therefore, they get most of thier exercise from the wheel. They are only about 10 months old, so I guess problems wouldn't be develpoed in them. I'm keeping my wheel though, my rats look a good weight, and seem to enjoy their wheel.
I'm not completely sure what is normal, I've only had 7 rats, all of which died young.
I think it might've been a combination of the Kaytee food and the fact that I got them from a pet store.
I'm not completely sure what is normal, I've only had 7 rats, all of which died young.
I think it might've been a combination of the Kaytee food and the fact that I got them from a pet store.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
I've always had wheels in my cage, some like it some don't, but I've never seen any problems that could be linked to the wheel.
lilratsy43
Well-Known Member
I currently have 5 girls in one cage. One is Suri, she is nearly 2 years old. Then I have Blue and Cotton, they are sisters and are not yet 1 year (they were born in April this year). Then there is Rose, she was born in Feburary this year. Finally there's Minnie, she is the youngest of the group she is no more then 4 months old (and the biggest brat ever, but that is besides the point)...lol
So Rose, Blue, and Cotton have been together the longest and they have always had a wheel. Blue and Cotton both have the wheelie tails. Rose doesn't have a tail at all so there is no telling what the effect the wheel has had on her. Suri and Minnie both use the wheel (I think)...well I know Minnie does but I am not sure Suri does as she is older and has only been around a wheel for a month or soo...Minnie shows no effects from the wheel.
In conclusion, it may be all linked to genetics. The only two girls affected by the wheel were sisters, the rest of the girls non-related all introduced to wheels at different ages show no effects....
Here are pics of the two sisters:
So Rose, Blue, and Cotton have been together the longest and they have always had a wheel. Blue and Cotton both have the wheelie tails. Rose doesn't have a tail at all so there is no telling what the effect the wheel has had on her. Suri and Minnie both use the wheel (I think)...well I know Minnie does but I am not sure Suri does as she is older and has only been around a wheel for a month or soo...Minnie shows no effects from the wheel.
In conclusion, it may be all linked to genetics. The only two girls affected by the wheel were sisters, the rest of the girls non-related all introduced to wheels at different ages show no effects....
Here are pics of the two sisters:
NezumiNeko
Well-Known Member
I watched my rats run last night. Their tails seemed awkward, but comfortable at the same time.
