Ball for Robo?

Teddy001 · 08-23-2015, 08:26 AM

Hello

I have a robo, Kiwi that I adopted. My question is, can robo's run in hamster balls, if pillows are placed along the walls, to soften the bumps? I know they are fast on their feet.. Just wondering if the impact of the ball bumping into the wall could be dangerous, or cause them injury?

racinghamster · 08-23-2015, 08:30 AM

Simple answer, No. Robos are far too fast and have long spindly back legs. They get all the excersize they need in their cage playing on their wheel. x

Teddy001 · 08-23-2015, 08:42 AM

Oh, okay.. Thank you.. What about running around in a play pen? I feel bad my robo is always in her cage, and she does show interest in coming out of her cage.

Back to the hamster ball. Is it dangerous for robo's to use them, and why? Thanks

racinghamster · 08-23-2015, 08:50 AM

A solid sided play pen is the safer option yes, but if the cage/tank is large enough, they shouldn't need too much time out. The best way to remove her safely to any play area is to use a jar, let her walk in and block the end with your hand and gently place the jar inside the pen.

Hamsters balls are dangerous for robos and mice because they have smaller, thinner legs and the air vents running around a ball are obviously not there for a leg to become trapped in, broken or cut. That is reason enough not to risk using a ball in my opinion, especially for a roborovski. Better than than a $100+ vet bill if he did get injured using one. Remember too that hamsters don`t see well so the last thing they need is to be put inside a plastic ball wee they have no idea where they are going.

What size is Kiwi`s habitat?

Teddy001 · 08-23-2015, 12:50 PM

Oh, okay- thank you.. Kiwi is in an IKEA Detolf. I just feel badly that she seems to want to come out of her cage, and it seems cruel to keep a hamster in their cage for their entire life.
I've looked at the smallest size running balls, the holes are very tiny, her leg would not fit in the holes. The ball is a 5 inch size. I'll not put her in the ball, and take your advice.. Thank you.

Wanna Hamster · 08-23-2015, 01:19 PM

I agree with racinghamster. Better safe than sorry. The Detolf is quite a large cage for a single robo, so I don't think she would need to out of her cage more than once a day. If you would like to provide more running enrichment, I would recommend getting a medium sized flying saucer (the small is too small for any animal and is not recommended, even for robos and mice). Just make sure that when you take her out, she's always low to the ground and over a hamster safe area I case she jumps from your hands or you accidentally drop her.

Wanna Hamster · 08-23-2015, 01:24 PM

Here is a link for where to buy a flying saucer:
Amazon.com : Ware Flying Saucer Small Pet Exercise Wheel, 7-1/4-Inch, Medium, Colors may vary : Pet Toys : Pet Supplies
Here is a review on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLp4F2eYFSs

velma · 08-23-2015, 01:32 PM

I wouldn't risk a ball with Hector. Like Racinghamster said there is too great a risk of legs trapped in the air vents but also Hector just runs around like a crazy thing so I think he'd have too many bashes as he is constantly changing direction. I have a plastic tub as a play pen to put him in when I clean him which he seems to quite like. I put a saucer in there so he can run off any excitement. I also have a few handfuls of substrate from his cage for the smell & usually a cardboard tube & an empty box that I hide sunflower seeds in. He doesn't seem to drink that much when he's in there so I don't put a bottle in permanently but I iffer it to him every 20 minutes or so.

Cazza1968 · 08-23-2015, 03:12 PM

Thank you for this information. Sargent Pepper (he is a Robo) did have a ball, it is now going in the bin.

racinghamster · 08-24-2015, 12:45 AM

Just wanted to thank everyone for listening to this advice. I know there are Syrians out there who do like a short run in a ball (supervised) but dwarf hamsters (and mice) are small and fragile, especially Roborovski as velma said, they run about like crazy birds! The Detolf is a fantastic space for any dwarf hamster too so there is plenty enough space in there for a robo to run around in a safe area without being enclosed inside a ball that could potentially cause him harm or stress.

Upright wheels are better too. x