Enrichment - Page 2

AmityvilleHams · 02-25-2017, 05:05 AM

A lot of general pet disinfectants can be unsafe for hamsters as well,such as having chemicals and added scents and such in them which are not good

Very hot water or a solution of vinegar and water is all that a healthy hamster would need during a cage clean.Even then,that is for a full cage clean which really shouldn't be done often.

CMB · 02-25-2017, 07:36 AM

When you use the hamster exercise ball. Let your hamster climb in on it's own. That way you know it wants to get in. Offer a break after using the ball for 15 minutes. If the hamster stays in the ball give them another 15 minutes and try a break again. He break is for food, water, toilet mainly.

A combination of a playpen, ball, scatter feeding and enrichment in the cage should reduce/stop the bar chewing.

cypher · 02-25-2017, 07:55 AM

Have to disagree about the hamster climbing into the ball, strange though it may seem in my experience climbing into the ball voluntarily is not necessarily an indication that they enjoy the ball!

CMB · 02-25-2017, 08:00 AM

If they didn't want to get in. They wouldn't. They would ignore the ball or even hide if scared. Mine were all eager to get in the ball and often didin't want to come out for their break. After the break they would sit at the door waiting to come out for another run in the ball ect.

It was especially useful for untamed hamsters/energetic hamsters who needed to burn off energy before they could be handled.

AmityvilleHams · 02-25-2017, 08:01 AM

That is an extremely good point,and something I've thought of myself!They probably don't even realize that the ball is something they'd get stuck in to roll around in until it actually happens,and probably assume it's just some sort of place to hide in or explore.Of course,putting them on the floor in a closed ball at that point could be very shocking and stressful

I've never liked balls anyways,nor are they considered ethical in every place.Blue Cross(UK based)along with German sources(generally the best when it comes to hamster care,though not perfect)say not to use balls,and when you really stop to think about how little enrichment a ball provides along with the stress it causes it is hard to justify using balls let alone spending as much money as large ones can cost you!

cypher · 02-25-2017, 08:11 AM

CMB I know you don't like me saying this about the ball & that I did explain in another thread some time ago but it isn't always true that they will only get into the ball if they want to run it in, it probably is true for many hamsters but not all.
Just for the benefit of the OP who probably hasn't come across this before my only experience with a ball (I never tried it after this) was with a very sweet natured ham who would always willingly climb into the ball but began to bite whenever I put my hands in the cage (without the ball) once I started to use it, as that was the only thing that had changed I ditched the ball & he was immediately back to his normal happy self & still climbed into the ball if I wanted to use it to carry him across the room, the only thing I used it for after that!

CMB · 02-25-2017, 08:23 AM

The ball was just a suggestion. It worked with my hamsters. It may or may not work with all hamsters. As soon as using balls are mentioned people jump in with it's dangerous or they go in then are scared.

Othe people have used balls and not had any problems, so just because some hamsters don!t like them doesn't mean all hamster won't.

If they get in then are scared then the next time the ball is offered they wouldn't get in.

cypher · 02-25-2017, 09:04 AM

I wasn't trying to start a general discussion on balls by any means, we have enough of those! I do think we can learn from each other by sharing our different experiences though & if you choose to disbelieve my experience that's up to you of course, I simply want to share another point of view with the OP.

Jennie F · 02-26-2017, 04:29 AM

I am still trying to figure out if my ham likes the ball. She gets in by herself when i hold it in front of the open door, but she doesnt roll around in it that much and chews at the sides. She has only ever been in the ball 4 times in the 3 weeks ive had her. I am hoping to get some stack boxes to make up into a foldable play area for her or a really large plastic box instead of her having the ball.