My rat doesn't use her wheel is this normal?

Question

We have a rat named Willow and she is blind(can only see shadows) and she doesn't use her wheel. Is she getting enough exercise?

Answer 1

i have a hamster who doesnt use her wheel you could get a pen that they sell for rodents to run in i have one and cookie loves it or you could use a small room with little to no furniture in it and let them run  those suggestions should be okay even though she is blind hope this helped! :)

Answer 2

I have 2 rats and neither of them will use a wheel. To compensate I take them in a room where they can't be hurt or hurt anything and I let them run around on the floor for a while. I make sure that they can't get under the door. By letting them play on the floor they get exercise and they get to play with you so it's a win win situation.

Answer 3

Calm down. Your rat doesn't need to use her wheel. Neither of my rats use their wheel and they are perfectly fit.

Answer 4

iv got a mouse n he used his wheel when he was a baby but as soon as he got older he just sat on his wheel and eats. we have another baby mouse n so now he uses the wheel. i think as the mouse/rat gets older they get lazier. porbly just like humans.

Answer 5

Yes this is normal, as you may know, rats are very intelligent, and know better to use a wheel! I would let her out in a safe rat-proofed room ( a room which has NO DANGEROUS things for it to chew)

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

well... all rats are somewhat blind and can only see shadows... so thats not why she isn't using the wheel.

look through the eyes of a rat here--> http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatCam.htm

A lot of the time rats who are not introduced to a wheel at a young age, will not use a wheel.  Some rats just love wheels more then others.  2 of my 5 girls absolutely love their wheels why the others will use the wheels occasionally.  

I would also recommend that you get Willow a friend, as rats are extremely social creatures and live a lot better lives with a same gender cage mate.

Case Against Single Rats

-->http://www.ratfanclub.org/single.html

:3

Answer 7

When rats use their wheel it means they don't like it anymore.

Answer 8

my hamsters didnt..... so probably normal

Answer 9

It all depends on whether she was introduced to a wheel at a young age. If you or her previous owner didn't have one in the cage she was born  in, she probably might not take an interest in it.

I think her sight might have something to do with it, too. If you couldn't see anything more than a shadow you'd be a little worried about large moving objects, wouldn't you?

Answer 10

Rats should NOT use wheels