Mice and Wheels

by stephlisa Tue 26 Apr 2016, 6:16 am

So, despite repeated attempts to encourage him to play on a wheel, Colin just doesn't seem to use one. I've tried him on a comfort wheel that came with his home (decided it was too small for him in the end) and he's currently had a saucer wheel for about a month now. He hasn't used either except to attempt to get to treats. I'm in the same room as him throughout most of the day and I haven't heard/seen him or any evidence that he's using the wheel when I'm not around/asleep.

He has a run about ball which can be put on a stand if desired. He absolutely loves when its on the floor, for an experiment we tried putting it on its stand and seeing if he wanted to run in that but he didn't.

Is it a problem that he doesn't seem to use a wheel? Do some mice just not use one?

He always has, and will always have, a wheel in his cage just in case he decides to use it, but currently I find it surprising that he doesn't use it!

by Mouseketeers Tue 26 Apr 2016, 7:09 am

I wouldn't worry too much, one of my girl tanks actually goes through stages without a wheel for varying reasons. They have never seemed to suffer for it. I do find that the mice I have bred who have never had access to wheels are less interested in them as adults. But they all do take to it eventually. I have always assumed they watched the older girls play and picked it up.

Not that helps with Colin being a boy. :/

by MouseLover Tue 26 Apr 2016, 7:10 am

Wheels are great for exercise, but if Colin doesn't want to use one, that's fine. As long as he has other toys in his cage/tank, things to climb, and comes out to play with you, then he should get all the exercise he needs.

Like you said, I'd leave it in there just in case he changes his mind.

by stephlisa Tue 26 Apr 2016, 8:29 am

Thanks both.

Colin definitely has plenty of other toys to climb, chew, shred to pieces in his tank and he gets at least half an hour of playtime out with us each day, often more!

My guess is that he's never had a wheel and so hasn't worked out what its for. He'll always have it, time will tell if he ever works out what its for!

by Peachy Tue 26 Apr 2016, 9:07 pm

One of my boys refuses to use his wheel too. He jumps on it for a second and then goes to find something else to do. lol
I had a girl who refused to use a comfort wheel but loved a mesh one. Maybe if Colin doesn't take to the saucer you could try a third type? Laughing