Choosing a wheel for your gerbils

[LilyandDaisy]

Choosing a wheel for your gerbils

Do gerbils need a wheel?

It is highly recommended to give your gerbils a wheel.

Wheels provide gerbils with many benefits. The most obvious is exercise. Gerbils are extremely active animals. Even in the largest enclosures, gerbils can’t usually run much more than a metre or two continuously, and that’s assuming there are no objects in their way. But on a wheel, a gerbil can freely run hundreds of metres, as they would in the wild.

Gerbils are prone to obesity as they get older and a wheel may help to limit age-related weight gain.

Just as exercise can help humans cope with stress, wheel-running is also a great form of stress relief for gerbils.

Wheels may help to reduce undesirable boredom or stress behaviours such as bar chewing, corner/stereotypic digging, and jumping at the tank lid.

They’re also just fun! Do you ever just get an urge to move? To go outside and take a brisk walk? Gerbils do too, and a wheel allows them to satisfy that urge.

Some gerbils use a wheel more than others, and there are a few gerbils who won’t use wheels at all. However, I find most gerbils will use a wheel provided it is big enough for them, and once they have had time to get used to it.

In conclusion, a wheel is to a gerbil what a brisk walk in the sunshine is to humans. Not essential to life, but would you want to be without it?

What size wheel do gerbils need?

A wheel for gerbils should generally have a diameter of 10-12 inches, or 25-30cm. It is better to aim for the upper end of that range if you can, particularly for male or larger gerbils.

In the past, many sources recommended a minimum of an 8 inch or 20cm wheel for gerbils, but this is really too small for any gerbil other than young pups.

If your gerbils’ wheel is too small, you might notice:

• They don’t use it much, or only in very short bursts.
• They run diagonally across the wheel’s diameter, like this, instead of horizontally.
  
• Their tails are held upright when they run, like this, instead of behind them. Note that it is normal for the tail to be somewhat curved, but the base of the tail should not be forced upwards.
  
• They are forced to hold their heads up when they run, like this. They should be able to run with their necks straight.

The photo below shows an ideal running posture: the body is more or less horizontal, and the base of the tail is held straight behind the body with only part of it curved.

Consequences of a wheel that is too small

Most often, if a wheel is too small for a gerbil to run comfortably, they simply won’t use it, or won’t use it very much. If your gerbils don’t seem interested in their wheel, consider whether it might be too small for them.

In theory, a gerbil might suffer back damage from running on a very small wheel, but in practice they tend to avoid anything that causes them pain or discomfort.

“Wheel tail” refers to a condition where a gerbil’s tail is held in a semi-permanently curved position as a result of running in a wheel. This is a cosmetic issue, rather than any cause for concern. Gerbils naturally hold their tails up in the air behind them when they move (rather than allowing them to drag along the ground). When they run on a curved surface such as a wheel, this means their tail is held in a curved position, and over time the muscles can adapt to this so that the curvature becomes semi-permanent. If a wheel is big enough, any curvature should be mild or moderate, and might only be a problem if you wanted to show your gerbils. Providing a larger wheel might reduce the potential curvature of the tail, but it’s next to impossible to provide a wheel on which the tail is held completely straight. Severe wheel tail indicates the wheel is much too small.

Are flying saucer wheels suitable for gerbils?

Flying saucers are controversial in rodent communities, with some claiming that they can cause spinal damage due to encouraging a curved and slanted running posture, though there is no real evidence for this. As mentioned above, gerbils (and other rodents) will typically avoid activities that cause them pain or discomfort, if they have a choice.

Flying saucers don’t offer all of the same benefits as upright wheels. Because of the slanted design, rodents don’t seem to find them as satisfactory to run on as a normal wheel. Because of this, when they are used, they’re generally considered a “bonus” item which should be used in addition to an upright wheel, not instead of.

The main problem with flying saucers is that the most common sizes - 5-7 inches - are too small for adult gerbils. A gerbil would need an 11 or 12 inch large flying saucer, which would take up an excessive amount of space in most enclosures given that they are more of a bonus item. You could choose to use a large flying saucer in a playpen, or a 7 inch (18.5cm) one for young pups.

What type of wheel should I look for?

Ideally, look for a wheel with a solid running surface for maximum running comfort.

Avoid:

• Barred wheels, such as this, or worse still, this contraption. They are uncomfortable for gerbils to run on, and gerbils can easily slip and injure a limb.
• Open wheels which might produce a “scissor effect”, such as this one, where there is a risk of a tail, limb, or neck getting trapped between the wheel stand and the crossbar.

Mesh wheels are controversial. Some people point out concerns about foot damage from running on mesh. On the other hand, gerbils have very tough feet. Ultimately, it is your choice whether to use them, but solid-surface wheels are much easier to find nowadays in any case.

Wheels made of plastic, wood, or metal are available.

If buying a plastic wheel, ideally look for tougher types of plastic such as the acrylic used in most Niteangel wheels, which are unlikely to be chewed, rather than the more flimsy types of plastic used in the plastic Trixie wheels or Silent Runners.

Wooden wheels may be chewed, but it depends on the gerbils. Personally, I have had several gerbils who hardly chewed their wooden wheels at all, and one gerbil, Twiglet, who destroyed her wheel by chewing through the stand. You might find your gerbils are fine with a wooden wheel, or not.

Metal wheels are usually barred or mesh, but solid metal wheels can sometimes be found, albeit at a high price. TicTac Wheels are a high quality option.

Also consider ease of cleaning. Plastic and solid metal wheels can be very easily cleaned. Wooden wheels will absorb urine (and some gerbils do preferentially pee in their wheels), unless they are painted with a non-toxic sealant. Many people use clear Plastikote paint for this (not the spray). I also often use Rustins Wood Oil (the one that says toy-safe and food-safe on the tin).

Summary and specific recommendations

In summary, when looking for a gerbil wheel, look for the following:

• Size: 10-12 inches in diameter
  
• Style: Upright wheel with a solid running track. Avoid open wheel styles that may cause a “scissor effect”.
  
• Material: tougher plastics, solid metal, or wood (depending on your gerbils). Consider sealing wooden wheels against urine.
  

Popular wheel choices include:

• Niteangel Super-Silent Wheel (Medium to Extra Large sizes) - UK - US - CA - also available on Amazon in many other countries
• Trixie Wooden Wheel (28cm or 33cm) - UK - EU
• Niteangel Wooden Wheel (Medium to Large sizes) - UK - US - CA - also available on Amazon in many other countries
• Getzoo Wheels (these go as large as 42cm!) - UK and EU
  

• TicTac Wheels (10 inch+) - Worldwide

Please share if you have any other favourite wheels that could be included here!