May won't run in her ball

[racinghamster]

I havn`t been exactly an advocate for hamster play balls and I don`t mean to tell anyone what they should do, that`s not my intention. I just feel personally that even though a hamster will play in a ball and lets face it, many do, they are often seen as an alternative to physical play/natural play, sniffing around, getting into things they shouldn`t! under supervision of course!

I just read time and time again about hamster`s legs or feet being injured or a hamster being kept in a ball for far too long. I just don`t think injury to the hamster is worth the use of a ball. The air slits/holes are there for ventilation, but they can also take less than a second to pull a toe or a leg and the consequences of that can mean permanent disability for the hamster. I know I`m putting a worst case scenario into it but these are factual.

Two species of hamster I would never allow near a ball are Chinese or Roborovski. It`s debatable whether they are safer for Syrians and Russian dwarfs, but the balls on the stands would be a safer option but I would still check the design of the ball for any safety issues. x

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by Shannonmcn

I used hamster balls with my first three Syrians and they all seemed to enjoy it and would hop out into the ball happily. I had no idea hamster balls were so controversial since to a lot of people (and me, before I got more involved here on the forum) the ball was the number one toy you thought of when you thought of a hamster!

That's precisely why I'd bought them exercise balls. I thought that by giving them the chance to run about outside their cage would be idea exercise for them and it appeared like most of my hamsters had been happy enough to run in them.

Other than when I'd put them in there as a 'safe' place whilst I was cleaning their cages, they'd only be left in them for 5 minutes or so. However they are Chinese hamsters and having looked at their paws and the size of the ventilation slits in their 'dwarf sized' exercise balls, I can see why there is concern over injury. In light of that, I won't be putting them inside the exercise balls in the future as the risk just isn't worth it.

[racinghamster]

I think your making a wise decision Fluffs. People will always use hamster balls because there is a mind set that hamster balls are totally safe and sold for that purpose, when the reality is they are nothing more than plastic traps waiting to injure a hamster who either doesn`t like being in it, or is allowed to be in one longer than necessary and given this is around ten/fifteen minutes on the whole, it doesn`t really say positively or negatively whether in time, this would result in any harm. It may not, but the risk will always be there if they are used. x

[herbi7]

Hmm RH u have really made me think some more about balls! I wasn't someone who liked balls before I got mine, I thought they looked so unnatural, more like a hamster torture chamber! I took A LOT of persuading and reading articles and stuff before j put willow in one and watched her like a hawk before satisfying myself she really was content in there and a competent navigator, I also checked her feet every time she came out as I realised her little toe sometimes pokes thru a slit, the slit is too narrow for her foot to go thru but too wide for a toe to get stuck. I only use it on the carpet so she can potter about at her own pace, and she tells me when she has had enough by stopping and chewing on the exit part and I let her out straight away. She has never been unduly hot or thirsty afterwards, actually its the only thing she does bar going in the bath that makes her feet cold! What do u think? Are these enough precautions or are there still dangers I haven't thought of? I only use it when she has done her free ranging and playpen and still wants to explore further and burn off some energy, its not every day.

I usually listen to you and cypher as u have much more experience than me!

And Bailey in his ball on a stand... It's ventilated because of the entry end... It's not a covered end like the normal ball ends, its open so the hamster can get in and out as they please. He doesn't get hot or thirsty, takes breaks when he wants, and doesn't run where the slits are as its always at the same angle and the slits are up the sides with a flat running surface in the middle. What do you think? I only put it in his cage as a temporary amusement when I separated him n littlun but when I saw how he loved it and that he uses it sensibly I decided to let him keep it. I actually like watching him in it as he lollops gently round and round, it looks safe and comfortable, his back is straight. He uses it just like a wheel.

[herbi7]

Ps can u put a link to the injured Chinese hamster as I can't find it and need to see what happened!

[cypher]

I think this is the one you're looking for herbi My Hamster won't use one of his back legs.

ETA I missed the bit about the ball on the stand, I do have one of those, I don't use it but I like the fact they can get in & out easily when they want to & the slits are in a safe place so if Bailey seems to like it I don't really see a problem, I would keep a watch to be on the safe side but it is a lot safer than the usual free roaming balls.

[racinghamster]

My Hamster won't use one of his back legs.

herbi, using a ball is a preference and you obviously watch your hamster very closely when she`s inside one. Some people do, some don`t. Having read various threads and reports of hamster balls being responsible for injuries (and one mouse I know of died) I can`t tell others what they should do, just advise. I just believe there are safer alternatives like making a solid-sided playpen from cardboard boxes, or as you mentioned, using the bath, but cover the bath with a long towel or fleece to prevent cold feet! It can`t be nice running on a cold, slippery floor with enclosed white walls!

The slits/air holes in balls are there for a reason, so allow ventilation, so the design of a ball has to be this way. I look at a hamster ball and don`t see it as an excersize machine, but more for the entertainment of the owner/child. What`s funnier than a ball rolling around the floor with a hamster inside?

By all means anyone who thinks using a ball is okay and safe, please continue to use one, but think carefully about the size of the ball, the slit sizing and whether your hamster would actually be safer running about the floor while you sit down with them. x

[racinghamster]

Thanks cypher, I was posting at the same time. x

[herbi7]

Thanks cypher n RH! I've looked at that thread, its sobering isn't it. Poor little hamster. I'm glad Bailey didn't think much of exploring in his ball or it could have happened to him. I will let him play in his ball when its on its stand tho as I think its safer. Are u listening Bailey? Don't do anything silly in there for heaven's sake or I will feel terrible! I hadn't heard of hamsters getting their feet caught before I saw this thread, most of the online info is mainly about balls falling down the stairs and dehydration and stuff.

[racinghamster]

I wonder though how many people bother to report accidents in balls online unless they are part of a forum like HC? I know what you mean though herbi. If your hamster actually enjoys the ball and you can use the stand, then it`s probably a safer way to monitor what he`s doing.

The problem I have is, if an accident does happen to a hamster in a ball through no fault of it`s own, because they are hamsters, a break or a toenail pulled or a swelling of the foot could mean paying the price as a break woud`nt be fixable. Pulling a toe or breaking a nail are more superficial, but I imagine would still be painful. It`s all about prevention though rather than closing the stable door after the horse had bolted. x