I have a wheel about 6 1/2 inches wide, will this be a good size for a gerbil? I read that their backs should be pretty straight when they run, should I get a bigger one?
as long as he doesn't have an arch in its back
I think you should get a bigger one. Usually the medium sized wheels are better.
You should probably get a bigger one. That sounds pretty small for a full grown gerbil. I suggest getting aSuper Pet Large Silent Spinner" from Petco.The names a mouthful, but it actually works great. It's twelve inches wide, but gerbils get so big and long, it's perfect for them. My gerbils and my rats love them. Plus, they're really quiet and easy to clean. I currently have two, but I'm going to get a smaller one for mice soon.
The wheel should be 8 inches wide, so yes, you need a bigger one. If you don't mind the noise, you could get an 8-inch wire mesh wheel from Petsmart (Petco sells them too, but I like Petsmart ones better). If you can't stand the noise, put some olive/vegetable oil on the axle. That should keep it quiet for two weeks. Some people buy plastic ones like Silent Spinners, Wodent Wheels, and Comfort Wheels. I wouldn't get those because gerbils tend to pee/poop while they're running or stuff the plastic wheels with bedding. Since there are no holes in the bottom, the waste just flips around in the wheel while they run. They'll also chew up the wheel and possibly ingest the plastic. That could hurt their digestive systems or they could choke on the sharp plastic piece.
