Unhappy hamster? - Page 2

AmityvilleHams · 06-23-2017, 12:06 AM

Hamster balls inhibit the senses.They don't allow hamsters to properly smell their environment,and with their vision already being quite poor the rounded shape and the material in general make it even worse.They can't truly explore things with balls,hence why they're just not a great thing to use regardless of species,plus in certain places(including Germany,which is known for high standards of hamster care)they are considered cruel.

cypher · 06-23-2017, 12:07 AM

You'd be surprised how easily they can get their feet or claws caught in the holes also being so tiny they can be easily hurt bumping into things.

**Princess Pixie** · 06-23-2017, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Many dwarf hams really don't like them, it's such a tiny enclosed space she can't escape from & they will often run in the ball because they are trying to do just that, escape, she may then learn to associate coming out with going in the ball so not want to.
Balls are really boring for them anyway & give you no chance to interact & bond so a bit of a loss all round in my opinion!

But surely they're more stimulating than being stuck in a cage? I don't put her in it and leave her it's a mix or her ball and me handling her but she's so fast it's hard to do that. I couldn't find a box big enough to make her play pen so I'll keep looking.

AmityvilleHams · 06-23-2017, 12:08 AM

Even if a claw didn't get stuck,it could still get pulled under the ball and then smashed if not pulled out that way!It's definitely not a safe or wanted situation,and it happens to be so incredibly easy to avoid

Having experience with long nails myself,I can definitely say that it's not painless when they get bent in any way.

Balls offer no enrichment.Playpens or play bins or anything along that line would,but balls will never offer enrichment.

**Princess Pixie** · 06-23-2017, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Hamster balls inhibit the senses.They don't allow hamsters to properly smell their environment,and with their vision already being quite poor the rounded shape and the material in general make it even worse.They can't truly explore things with balls,hence why they're just not a great thing to use regardless of species,plus in certain places(including Germany,which is known for high standards of hamster care)they are considered cruel.

Have to respectfully disagree with them cruel. They do allow more exercise and stimulation from the cage not all hamsters like play pens from what I've read on here and other forums. I don't want to debate tho, that's not why I'm here.

cypher · 06-23-2017, 12:43 AM

We have enough debates about balls I know! In the end it has to be a personal choice, all I can say is in my experience almost all Russian hams enjoy being out & about in a playpen & with a little thought (& not much cost) you can make it very stimulating & a lot of fun for them & as I mentioned before it gives you lots of opportunity to interact with them.
A ball isn't stimulating for them at all, if all they need is more exercise then they can get plenty of that in the wheel & if your cage is well set up then they should have more stimulation in there than they could ever get in a ball.
I think you have to try to put yourself in the hams place & imagine being a tiny prey animal with very poor eye sight being trapped with no way out in the ball.

You could always just break up some cardboard boxes as all you need for a playpen are the sides it doesn't have to have a base so no need for just one large box if you can't buy one or make a more permanent one just yet.

If you're unsure if she likes the ball or not & are getting the impression she's not happy (getting back to the OP rather than debate!

) then I think it makes sense to leave the ball for a while, try the playpen & see if her behaviour changes.

AprilPearl · 06-23-2017, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Pixie

But surely they're more stimulating than being stuck in a cage? I don't put her in it and leave her it's a mix or her ball and me handling her but she's so fast it's hard to do that. I couldn't find a box big enough to make her play pen so I'll keep looking.

I've never used balls with my hams, but I understand that this is your hamster and your choice so I am not going to tell you what to do. Just wanted to suggest this playpen, which is really great. You will get much more interaction with her in it, as you can even sit in there with her and offer her treats. She will soon be using you as a human climbing frame, so you will be bonding even as she exercises! Plus, you can put in lots of toys for her to play with. It's a really great investment.

Skyline Ranch Arizona Indoor Run | Free P&P Â£29+ at zooplus!

Pebbles82 · 06-23-2017, 02:54 AM

If she likes the ball and it's dwarf hammy safe that's fine

Yes people have different opinions on them - and so do hamsters lol. But no more than 10 to 15 minutes in a ball is good really because you don't know if they are desperate to get out or not. Plus it doesn't help with taming but can allow them a bit of extra out of cage time, although you still need to monitor them, as you do with a playpen. I think the advice was - no more than 10 to 15 minutes. But then you can give them another 10 to 15 minutes later after they've been out of it for a while. You can usually tell if they like it or not as they jump in voluntarily and try to start running. A playpen could help with her familiarising with you though and you can put toys in it and a spare wheel so she can run around more freely.

I have the one April linked too - I can fit in it diagonally lol.

AmityvilleHams · 06-23-2017, 02:59 AM

Actually voluntarily jumping in is more about curiosity and wanting to explore something than necessarily connecting the ball with running and enjoying that experience.It's easy to think otherwise,but one must really get into the mind of a hamster rather than assume based on certain behaviors.For example,frantic running in a ball trying to escape isn't that easy to determine.

**Princess Pixie** · 06-23-2017, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Actually voluntarily jumping in is more about curiosity and wanting to explore something than necessarily connecting the ball with running and enjoying that experience.It's easy to think otherwise,but one must really get into the mind of a hamster rather than assume based on certain behaviors.For example,frantic running in a ball trying to escape isn't that easy to determine.

I have to laugh at some of these comments. Like you're a hamster and know this stuff 100% positive. 😂😂😂