What kind of wheel is it? How big is it (what's the diameter)? What kind of bedding do you use? And do you have any light on in his room at night?

If it's big enough and doesn't seem to have any issues with being unsteady, difficult to get onto, etc., then he might just take a little bit to figure out what it's for. You can try to show him by putting him on it and very slowly moving the wheel so he has to walk forward with it, but don't force the issue too much. Most hedgies figure it out pretty quickly.

 

It is just a regular wheel, about 8 inches across, fleece bedding, and I always have light on for him.

 

Regular wheel doesn't tell me much. What brand name is it? I'm guessing maybe a Comfort Wheel or something? Can you find or take a picture to link? The reason I'm asking is some wheels can be unsteady, especially on fleece bedding, which could make him nervous about running on it. Comfort Wheels are one of those wheels. 8" isn't big enough either, so that could also be the problem. You need a wheel with a 12" diameter, or at least 10.5" (only for smaller hedgehogs).

Do you mean you have light on for him day and night? Because that's not good. He needs light on during the day, for 12-14 hours. But he needs to have darkness at night. If you have any light on in the room where his cage is, that could also be why he's not running.

 

Not sure what brand. I threw the tag away right when I got it. The wheel isn't on any fleece, so it shouldn't be unsteady. I looked this morning and I think he has been using it! There is poop all over the thing. Also, I usually only have light on during the day, but sometimes I leave a lamp or closet light on.

 

if it is the right size give him a little..it took Wally about a week or so to go near his wheel..now he doesn't get off it.

 

also helpful hint...we press and seal the wheel we've been doing it for months. it is a lot easier to clean and his feet dont get stuck or anything.

 

There's no need for anything covering the wheel. Supposedly a few people have tried & haven't had issues, but personally I don't see a reason for it. Anything on the wheel DOES give the potential for tripping hedgie or causing issues, and it's not that hard to clean the wheel if you have a decent quality wheel. Cleaning it first thing in the morning helps, as well as letting it soak a little if you have the room. Cleaning a wheel is part of having a hedgehog - shortcuts that could possibly cause problems for your hedgehog are not a good way to deal with it.

I'm glad he's using the wheel now. 8" is still on the small size, and if he's a baby, you'll very likely have to get a bigger one as he grows. Just keep an eye on him when he's on it to make sure he's not getting too big for it. You don't want him to strain his back with having it abnormally curved to run.

 

I understand cleaning a wheel is part of hesgehog care. Which my hedgie is treated like a prince. The breeder gave me this helpful hint and we have never had an issue. He actually has been seen by a vet who assured us he was one of the best kept best well behaved hedgies .it's not as if I am "lazy" it just helps us out, and he is safe. I thought the forum was for friendly advice ...

 

I don't think Lilysmommy was trying to be rude, I don't think that's in her nature. She never accused you of being lazy, or questioned your care or how well your hedgehog is kept. Lilysmommy even said that she personally doesn't think it's necessary, though other owners have done it before.

It's great that you're hedgehog is well kept for, though. However, please remember that if you post on a public forum, anything that you say, whether fact or opinion, can be criticized. That said, we all appreciate different tips and helpful advice on how to care for hedgies. I've heard of the Press and Seal option for wheels as well, and even though I've personally never tried it, I've read that it helps other owners. However, as with all things, there are pros and cons to them. I just wouldn't take anything you read on the internet personally

 

I don't think Lilysmommy was trying to be unfriendly. I think she was pointing out that there have been several people that have tried various things on their wheels in an effort to avoid cleaning that haven't worked out as well as planned and sometimes have caused even more work than simply cleaning the wheel would have been from the get go.

But I'm not sure I understand...press and seal? Do you mean the cling wrap type material that's adhesive on one side so you press it to the lip of a bowl and it stays?

 

It came off a little unwelcoming and i am here gaining knowledge. I am a law student who works and goes to school so using a cling wrap does save us some time, it wasn't ever meant for a way to get out of anything, If ir were to ever hurt him we would stop. Yes a cling wrap! we press it extremely tight in the inside of the wheel and peel it off when it's time to clean up. It does help us greatly, and it's not sticky where his feet are (obviously) and maybe some have had issues. But im just posting some hints I have found helpful for us