WHEELS!!

[xladeeda]

So, I have a flying saucer wheel for my hedgie. I just read (on another forum) that the only acceptable wheel is the carolina storm wheel. They deemed flying saucers as unacceptable, saying they cause mobility issues due to the angle. What do you guys think?

[Lilysmommy]

Carolina Storm Wheels are pretty awesome and I love them (have a couple, both the cake cover wheel and bucket wheel), but they're not the only acceptable wheel. Safe and usable store-bought wheels include Comfort Wheels and Flying Saucers, and many other people and breeders make and sell bucket wheels and cake cover wheels as well, similar to Larry's wheels. The store-bought wheels, especially Comfort Wheels, have their downsides, but they are considered perfectly safe for hedgehogs. As far as I've read on Flying Saucers (never used one myself), they're mostly considered okay, even with the angle, because many hedgehogs won't always run the same direction on them - they'll switch while they're running, or change directions sometimes when they go to get on the wheel. If you have a hedgie that consistently runs the same direction on the wheel, then it might be a cause for concern on the joint issues, but otherwise most people I've seen say it should be fine.

[Nancy]

IMO, the Carolina Storm cake wheel is the best with the bucket wheel next. As mentioned, Comfort wheels are fine but can be noisey. Many people have used flying saucers without an issue but the only one of mine that used a flying saucer developed a very bizarre mobility issue. She's better now and I have no clue if her issues were flying saucer related, probably not, but anyone I've shown the videos of her to has never seen anything like it.

[TeddysMommy]

As Lilysmommy and Nancy have said before, The CSWs are the best! They are so quiet and a while ago I went to my friend's home who had the Flying Saucer for hers, and as always I oggled over her baby running (she doesn't run away when you stare at her! Odd...) it doesn't look too comfortable to me, they have to run at a slight angle... I wouldn't say that the FS is a problem, I just think that the Carolina Storm Wheel is the best though

[xladeeda]

What is the difference between the CSW and the CSBW?

[bluebyrd333]

CSW is a acronym for Carolina Storm Wheel. CSBW is Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel. The difference is CSBWs is made out of a modified bucket that has no lip and CSBWs may warp over time.

[Kizzynicole]

I know this is off topic, but I'm SO jealous of your skunks . They're my most favorite animal ever and I've always wanted one as a pet and have done my research but I couldn't do it until I'm settled later on in life. Sigh. Excise me as I stare at their pictures for awhile longer..

[sweettea]

I have heard a lot about the CSW and CSBW being fantastic... but I've personally made my own for the last three years. Okay, I lied. I made the man make them for me after I gave him my designs. They are very similar to the CS bucket wheel. If you have the tools and know-how to do so, I'd just make my own. It ends up being like $10 to make one myself.
My experience with comfort wheels (though with hamsters) was that they weren't as sturdy and the bar in the middle agitated their backs (fur loss).

[LarryT]

If you'd like to make your own there are some good DIY links at the bottom of this page
http://www.mihog.org/products.phtml

[xladeeda]

Originally Posted by Kizzynicole

I know this is off topic, but I'm SO jealous of your skunks . They're my most favorite animal ever and I've always wanted one as a pet and have done my research but I couldn't do it until I'm settled later on in life. Sigh. Excise me as I stare at their pictures for awhile longer..

Haha, they are amazing animals! Jazzy is the love of my life. She has her own facebook page www.facebook.com/jazzystinker. There are many pictures on there. I have been slacking on the picture taking lately, though.