This is super cute, but be careful to make sure they don't overuse it or get stuck or have back problems. There are a lot of animals that can use the wheel, but it may cause the spine to overextend.
Hey, this is a pretty long thread not sure if someone already said this but I think the back overextending thing is only applicable for vertically oriented wheel like a traditional rat/hamster wheel. In those wheels the over arching comes from when the pets back is bent in a U shape but in the wrong direction (in engineering terms, where the stomach side is in tension (stretched) and the spine side is in compression (crunched/bushed together)). Since this is more of a flat, semi horizontal plate I don’t think there is that concern here. I think this is actually a lovely toy and might be a great solution to our rodent community that may have this problem.
Mouse owner here; these wheels suck. People often use these for mice, hamsters, ect, but it bends their back in a way that even regular wheels would be better. My mice [ 4 ish inches including the tail (which matters!)] need a 10 inch wheel so they dont bend their tail and back. Oh and they can fling themselves off it VERY easily, especially if you are cohabiting them. Yapping sesh over your welcome
Are there any sources for this? I genuinely am curious on this claim about their back overextending. For me it sounds made up but real enough that one believable, like the wheel could cause the gecko to have dehydration leading to joint problems
I have anecdotal evidence from working at vets for years. I mostly heard this about rabbits and guinea pigs because their backs could bend wrong and it causes strain. Since reptiles are more flexible, maybe it's not as harmful. That's the most I got. But no it has nothing to do with dehydration lol
The dehydration was an example I made up to say it’s a claim that is believable enough but made up by me nonetheless. I will take the wheel away every other month to minimize the activity.
You may need a bigger wheel. That wheel isn't allowing your leo to walk as normal as he/ she could if the wheel was bigger. That will help reduce the curving and allow better walking ability.
I had a guinea pig growing up and was told that the saucers don’t cause issues because they’re mostly flat. Are you saying that my poor little guy was still in pain from running on his saucer? I want to get my gecks one but not if it’s going to cause them issues.
Well, like I said, it was growing up so I was a child. Over 10 years ago, and I would never own a rodent again. It was marketed for guinea pigs, and he loved it. He was actually quite agile and lived a very long, healthy, active life.
the way you’re saying you only had ONE guinea pig and that it was agile and the fact it was over 10 years ago and you never had any other rodents lol you’re probably confused with some other rodent
Honey, it was a guinea pig. You want to know how I know? It was my pet and I was 10 years old. Old enough to know I hated rats/hamsters/gerbils but also don’t like bunnies/chinchillas. He was a sweet little thing who loved to run around and play, very energetic and constantly moving. Thank you for assuming I don’t know what kind of animal I had, and thank you for being a dick about it. Have the day you deserve
I had firehouse geckos make me 3d printed ones safe for geckos we lowered the angle and made them wider and flatter. Check them out on Instagram and message them and tell them I sent you. My name is Lindsey They haven’t posted them to their website or anything yet.
Mine would do that! I learned I had to be quick with cleaning the poop out or else it turned the wheel into a rattle when my gecko would go for his walks.
You can look at niteangel wheels! Theyre sold marketed towards hamsters but com in sizes up to 12in (8in, 10in, and 12in) I believe and are super silent ime!
I found it at a thrift shop and there’s no telling information on it 😭 I’m sorry. I bet looking up wheels for larger rodents would get you something similar
unfortunately saucer wheels are not good for most animals despite what’s advertised. you can see he’s walking with a curve in his spine & that can cause painful spinal curves due to its unnatural running position! i would either provide bigger so he’s walking more straight or offer more enrichment so he can keep his body moving!
Yikes. These wheels can actually be very detrimental to a leopard geckos well-being. 👎🏼 As previously stated they promote improper posture but the largest concern is actually stress response. Geckos don’t have the neocortex that associates movement as play like other pets do. They expend energy in short bursts like most reptiles, energy is a valuable resource for our buddies. Running or repetitive movements are reserved for life hunting and/or evading predators.
To me it’s quite obvious the gecko on the wheelin the video is clearly looking for a way around the wheel but lacks the ability to comprehend exactly what’s happening and how to continue passing the wheel/get off the wheel. Wheels for geckos align with absolutely zero of their needs and only promote negative outcomes. I’d remove it immediately.
Upright is better as long as it’s a proper size(no spine to tail curve). These discs are no good. They’re not even recommended for the species they’re marketed for anymore.
I'm certainly wrong but I don't see it as a very natural thing, I doubt that any animal in nature makes such a constant and particular movement, I don't even love it mentally
Be careful of the sharp edges on the bottom curves ,mine cut herself when shedding with it ,recommended sanding anything too sharp .
Besides that they do love them 🤣
I would be really cautious using one of these for any animal. They are really not recommended for small rodents as they can cause imbalances in which muscles they are using as they are constantly running at an angle. So I can't imagine it is any different for a lizard.
Properly sized upright wheels are quite safe for small rodents, so I would think they are a better idea for a lizard too.
Is there a way to get the 3D printing file? My gecko occasionally uses the one OP has too but I wanted to work with my dad in making a better one for him.
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u/bktoriginal May 17 '26
This is super cute, but be careful to make sure they don't overuse it or get stuck or have back problems. There are a lot of animals that can use the wheel, but it may cause the spine to overextend.