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No wheel can replace the exercise rats receive during free-range time out of their cage. However, when free-range is not an option, or when you want to provide another opportunity for your rats to exercise, why not choose The Wodent Wheel, the only wheel recommended and approved by the ASPCA during their Seal of Approval program (1999-2006)? This wheel is also highly recommended by Rat Clubs.
Let's compare some of the available wheels for rats:

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Wire Wheels




Pros
Inexpensive

Readily available

Immune to chewing

Base can be secured

Variety of sizes
Cons
Very noisy

Easy to bend out of shape

Questionable safety -- tails, limbs and feet can be hurt
Construction not very durable

Rust

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    Flying Saucer wheels


Pros
Safe for feet and tails

Quiet when lubricated

Unusual design

Questionable durability

Chewable
Cons
Unnatural running position

More expensive than wire wheels

Base cannot be secured





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Super Pet Silent Spinner


Pros
Silent

Comfortable

Safe for feet and tails

Use with base or attach to wire
Cons
Fairly expensive

Not enough size variety

Could separate from stand with vigorous use


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Wodent Wheel


Pros

Less expensive than Silent Spinner

Safe for feet and tails

Easy to disassemble for cleaning

Quiet when lubricated

Base can be secured

Smooth running surface

Mouse-hole shaped entry attracts use

Semi-enclosed so rodents feel safer

Variety of colors and sizes

Replacement parts available
Cons

More expensive than wire wheels

Chewable

Requires dissasembly for cleaning

Pitter-patter of feet on track

Not as easily obtainable



So, what are my thoughts about wheels? I've had a poor experience with wire wheels. Even brand new they seem bent out of shape and out of round. I've never personally experienced a rat or mouse being harmed by one but I don't like the idea that they could. I bought a saucer wheel for my mice originally but their unnatural running movement concerned me a bit. Also, when I put a standard wheel in they completely ignored the saucer and ran on it instead. I'm doubtful there's an appropriate-sized rat saucer and I still don't like the running movement. The Silent Spinner is okay but pricey. I have noticed it's fairly easy for the wheel to separate from the base and I don't care for that.

I tried my first Wodent Wheel based on the recommendation from many rat owners. I bought my first one in November 2012 and it is still in use, though the entry holes are a little bit chewed. I've personally never had my rats destroy a wheel but I understand it can happen with pets like gerbils. One solution I read was to ensure the rodents have a lot of other things to chew available. The majority of my rats enjoy their wheel though its use does vary based on how much other exercise they get. I agree that they feel more secure due to the semi-enclosed design, and I have never had a rat injure itself on one. The running track is fairly thin plastic so you do hear their feet on it when they run, which I find quite soothing. Occasionally I lubricate the friction points on the axle with baby oil. Vegetable oil also works but I found it leaves a residue. I mount all my wheels to the wire of the cage using zip-ties, mounting them upside-down to allow for flexibility of positioning. The wheel is then easily removed from the base for cleaning, leaving the base still attached to the wire. To remove the wheel you detatch the hitch pin holding the wheel to the axle, then it slides right off. The top separates from the track which separates from the back and everything is washable. If you still aren't sure how I feel about these wheels, I like them so much that I am now a distributor of them. Any profits made go to our rat rescue operations. If you have any unanswered questions, feel free to ask!

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Wodent Junior




Dimensions: 8" wheel, 2.6" wide, 2.1" entry holes (5), 9.1" overall height

Front & back colors: Black, pink, blue, white.

Track colors: Dark green, lavender, light blue, red.

Suitable for mice and smaller hamsters $13

$8 shipping if you're not local


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Wodent Senior





Dimensions: 11" wheel, 3.5" wide, 2.6" entry holes (5), 12.3" overall height

Front & back colors: Black, pink, blue, white.

Track colors: Dark green, lavender, light blue, red.

Suitable for larger hamsters and lady rats $17

$8 shipping if you're not local


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Wodent Wobust





Dimensions: 12" wheel, 5.3" wide, 3.6" entry holes (3), 13" overall height

Front & back colors: Black, white.

Track colors: Dark green, lavender, light blue, red.

Suitable for adult lady rats and male rats $24

$8 shipping if you're not local

New Ken Rat Rescue