play time

MummaBorris · 04-05-2015, 01:28 PM

I have made a play pen for my 2 little hammies - wiktoria loves it and her ball. She also loves cuddles! Borris is less convinced by the play pen but loves her ball. How long (ish) should I aim to have them out the cage each day? I know a lot of it depends on the hamster. Borris uses her wheel alot and has lots of tubes whereas wiktoria has a slightly smaller cage but she is far more social. Just want to make sure I'm doing right by both of them.

cypher · 04-05-2015, 11:52 PM

There really isn't a set amount of time, just make sure they have access to water if they are in the ball or playpen for a while, other than that just go by their behaviour, if they seem to have had enough & want out stop, if they want to play longer let them!

Artisans_uk · 04-06-2015, 02:54 AM

You might find that after a time of watching them in the playpen or the ball, you will pick up on signs that your hams have had enough for that session. Some fluffs are easier to read than others. I'm lucky with all of mine, they let me know very clearly.

Piebald · 04-06-2015, 02:59 AM

Did I read somewhere that for a ball 20 mins max then a water/pee break? With other play you can have a water source but with a ball you have to monitor.
How about some play pics?

cypher · 04-06-2015, 06:59 AM

20 min max in the ball is often recommended, you certainly wouldn't want to go longer without a break for drinking or whatever! 20 minutes may be way too much for some hams & nowhere near enough for others so I'm not so sure you can generalise, I think it's probably best to start with less time, see how the ham responds & build up slowly if they appear to be enjoying it.

MummaBorris · 04-06-2015, 10:55 AM

Wiktoria runs for half an hour constantly and would keep going if I'd let her!Thats why Ive made the play pen.its just a box with a few toys but it keeps her busy.

MummaBorris · 04-08-2015, 09:45 AM

I am trying to attach some photos of play time - Borris had currently been in the play pen for 40mins and shows no signs of boredom. Today in there I have a ball, a seesaw, a flying saucer and straw tunnel for hiding in.She loves chewing pieces off this and saves them to add to her bedding later.
Hopefully there will be photos attached but if there are not please can someone tell me how to do it...

cypher · 04-08-2015, 11:54 PM

If you're still having problems with photos you can either use the go advanced button then use the manage attachments option or you can upload them to somewhere like Photobucket & post a link here.
Hope that helps.

MummaBorris · 04-09-2015, 11:34 PM

Thanks

Here are a few pictures of playtime. I am rubbish at taking photos of them because they are so fast!
But here is wiktoria enjoying a tube and Borris enjoying cracking into a peanut.

cypher · 04-09-2015, 11:37 PM

Looks like fun for both of them