[HandsomelyHeadless]

I bought a rat wheel a couple of weeks ago, thinking that it was the right size. The rat wheel is only 9 inches wide, however my rats are just under 4 months old (so are not fully grown) and their backs are straight when using the wheel. Am I okay to just keep monitoring their posture when using the wheel and then take it away when it gets too small? My rat babies do seem to be on the smaller side from what I've seen online, is it possible that even once they are fully grown that a 9 inch rat wheel could still be an okay size to use?

 

[jkkgron2]

Eventually I would get them a 12-16 inch wheel. When I got my rats at 3-4 months old they were tiny, but they got really big over the next few months. So a 9 inch wheel might be fine for a bit, but they (even now) would benefit from something bigger. Also ratties don’t always use or like wheels, so if they’re ignoring it I wouldn’t get a replacement. I would just remove the wheel you have once they outgrow it. The wheel also can’t have any holes in it, so if it does I would remove it (rats can get their toes stuck in the wheel).

 

[AdoreRats]

I would honestly upgrade them as soon as possible, even if they are bending their backs slightly, it can turn into a massive spinal problem as they grow older.

Their tails shouldnt be bending over themselves either.

They could possibly use it for a month or two, but they will grow quickly.

If the wheel is mesh, they definitely cant use it at all.

 

[HandsomelyHeadless]

Eventually I would get them a 12-16 inch wheel. When I got my rats at 3-4 months old they were tiny, but they got really big over the next few months. So a 9 inch wheel might be fine for a bit, but they (even now) would benefit from something bigger. Also ratties don’t always use or like wheels, so if they’re ignoring it I wouldn’t get a replacement. I would just remove the wheel you have once they outgrow it. The wheel also can’t have any holes in it, so if it does I would remove it (rats can get their toes stuck in the wheel).

Thanks so much! One of my rats always runs on the wheel at night so I'll probably get a replacement asap. I'm gonna try and get a rat wheel that's meant to be silent/quiet because the wheel I have at the moment is so loud and very annoying at night 😅

 

[HandsomelyHeadless]

I would honestly upgrade them as soon as possible, even if they are bending their backs slightly, it can turn into a massive spinal problem as they grow older.

Their tails shouldnt be bending over themselves either.

They could possibly use it for a month or two, but they will grow quickly.

If the wheel is mesh, they definitely cant use it at all.

Thanks so much! The one I have at the moment is solid plastic so isn't going to catch their toes but I will order a bigger one asap because one of my rats uses it all the time and I really don't want any spine damage to be caused.