Wheels
Do rats need wheels? IMO, yes! Wheels provide exercise and enrichment for the rats. All my girls run on wheels and the young males will too. Older males, it is hit or miss. They can be lazy old men.
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My babies are raised with wheels and will know how to use them and enjoy them,
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Wheel tail- this is actually believed to be a genetic issue and not caused by wheels.
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Running on too small of a wheel can cause back issues.
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An adult rat needs a wheel 14-16 inches and dwarfs need above 12 inches.
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NO wheel is perfectly quiet. if you must because perhaps the rats are kept in yourbedroom at night, you could always remove the wheel over night.
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My favorite wheels:
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These guys actually make wheels for chinchillas but rats can use them as well. They are lovely metal wheels so they cant be chewed! They make nice large 14" and 16"
But they are expensive. I have one for my chinchilla and love it!
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I use these wheels for my dwarfs. They are cute and colorful and work very nicely and are fairly quiet.
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Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Silent Exercise Wheel
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This is 12" and suitable for dwarfs
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Kaytee Comfort Wheel Giant 12 Inches
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Only suitable for dwarfs. Personally everyone I've ever owned has broken and had a short lifespan. I wouldn't recommend.
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15" Silent Chinchillas Exercise Wheel, Aluminum Alloy
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Another metal wheel for chinchillas but big enough for rats!
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Basically, if you want a proper wheel an expensive metal wheel is probably your best bet
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What I do NOT recommend
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Mesh wheels- these are an injury waiting to happen. The mesh can have feet get stuck and even broken while running.
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Wood Wheels- These will be chewed and peed on. You will have to replace often
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Too small wheels- SIZE does matter. They should have the proper size wheel or no wheel at all.
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Plastic balls- These are absolutely a no go. They are cruel. Rats have poor vision and rely on their other senses; the plastic ball cuts off these senses. Banging into walls and furniture is not fun. They will pee in it and besides spinning around in their own urine, it is also closed off, leading to a respiratory infection waition to happen from the ammonia.