Rat won't use his wheel?

Question

I recently adopted a two year old male rat. He was previously kept in a plastic cage without a wheel.

Now, I have bought him a three story wire cage and a large plastic wheel (to prevent injuries). He will travel to all three stories of his cage but he will not use the wheel.

I feel bad that he is most active at night when I'm sleeping and he has no way to burn off his energy.

Does anyone know how to train a rat (or any small animal) to use a wheel as an adult?

Answer 1

male rat who is two years old = laziest creature on the planet!!! Trust me, he's obviously just taking it easy and is little clumsy. You obviously love him to bits and have supplied him with what is in my opinion an excellent rat home...so you have nothing to worry about. You can try putting newspaper in the cage for him to shred up, or little wooden chew blocks to keep him occupied during the night....but you know what adult male rats like best? a long, lazy cuddle on your lap/shoulder/neck etc. You can't make them use a wheel, but the option is there if he wants it...so you are doing everything right and you should just ensure he is happy, healthy and comfotable. Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

If he prefers not to run on the wheel its his decision! and you should just leave his little rattyness ALONE! thank you

Answer 3

rats are very intelligent animals (unlike hamsters who are more than happy to run in a wheel for hours on end without getting bored!) most rats will not use a wheel at all as they may try it a couple times and realize they dont actually go anywhere and then never use it again. it seems very unlikely that your rat will ever use a wheel and as he never had one in his old cage he hasnt been used to them from when he was little, which makes the possibility of him ever using a wheel even more unlikely, sorry but thats just the way it is

however rats do love ropes, hammocks and ladders so make sure you have plenty of them in his cage :) hope i helped

Answer 4

Rats don't really like wheels. I brought one for my rats but they just wouldn't use it. So don't force it to use a wheel. He will be fine just play with him during the day. You can even make little cardboard box houses for him to play in (hide food in there)

Answer 5

First, are you sure that the wheel is big enough? A lot of people will put the small 8" wheel in a rat cage, not realizing that it's too small. Rats need a 12" wheel or bigger. If he's a big guy, he may need one even larger than that!

But if you're sure it's the right size, then the problem is probably just that he doesn't know what it's for. Give him time, he's an adult so it might take him some time to figure it out.

And just remember that there are some rats who just WONT use wheels, no matter what. All of my rats run in wheels, but I have had rats in the past who just wouldn't. :)

Edit: Do you know WHY he can't climb? Is he overweight or sick? He is two years old, so he might be suffering from arthritis problems as well. These could be why he is reluctant to use the wheel.

Answer 6

Yeah, unless he has been using a wheel his whole life, chances are he won't start now. He might be too old to do the things you are describing, and at 2 years he MIGHT not have very ling left to live. Rats average life span is 2-3 years. http://www.curiosityrats.com/infohealth.... Scroll way down the page to get to the section on taking care of aged rats.

Answer 7

with my mice, i put treats on their wheel because they had never had one either. They eventually figured out what it was. Your rat is old so it may be a little more difficult but being active at night is not abnormal. Maybe he is just getting used to his new surrounding. Enjoy your pet and congrats for adopting.

If you are worried about exercising since he can't climb you could always get an extra large exercise ball. They are large clear plastic and ventilated balls you can put your animals in so they can "run" around on the floor. Just make sure if you get one they have to be watched at all times and shouldn't be left in there for more than 20 minutes. Some of my mice don't mind them while others get really freaked out....so it's worth a try

Answer 8

just praise him or give him treats when he does go on his wheel. Simple as that...have a gReAT day, get it? R,A, and T are upercased in great...haha i crack myself up! lol ...i know lame but atleast i'm having fun!

-JoshLuver-

Answer 9

Hi i've got mice and they like us have a personality, some like to run and run and RUN! bbut some couldn't be bothered. Although my mice have just started to use the wheel again your rat might just be tired, over weight or unique.

hope this helpes, and don't force him to run in the wheel or it will fell like a chore he has to do instead of fun.

Answer 10

same thing happened to me, my rats just didn't like their wheel. just let it be.

Answer 11

Don't make him, he's older now.

The only thing you should be getting him is a friend, hon. MALE!