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Old 04-01-2016, 03:14 PM   #1
Hamsterx2
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Question Hamster Balls bad?

As my intro post suggested me and my partner have recently bought two new hamsters. Both have a ball each but was just reading a post on a feed (about a hamster biting someone) which said hamster balls are bad due to stress and lack of space... Is this truth or are hamster balls okay? Has me worried all my previous hamsters had a ball and they were suggested when we got our hamsters.

I need advice on wether or not to stop using our balls. Thank you for any help in anticipation.
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Old 04-02-2016, 01:40 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

There are different opinions on hamster balls. I am beginning to think a playpen is better than a ball. But a ball is a useful thing to have around as you can transport them from one room to another safely in a ball (by carrying the ball carefully I mean), without them escaping or jumping out of something. We used it to carry our hamster from his cage up to the bathtub when he wasn't tame enough to handle, then put it down gently in the bathtub and take the top off. When he'd had enough in the bathtub he used to hop back in the ball and look at you.

The main problem with them is the balls are too small really. They are usually about 17cm to 18cm diameter. Our hamster stopped running in it quite quickly and I think it was uncomfortably small for him. You can get larger rat sized balls, but they have bigger slits in and there are stories of hamsters getting their toes caught in the slits and getting injuries. The Savic 25cm Rat Ball has the smallest slits - I have one of those but rarely use it. It comes in two pieces and sometimes the join is a bit of a gap/hazard and I can't be bothered to glue it together. My second one had a tight join and was ok. They have protruding bits inside which probably aren't that comfortable for running too long, but it doesn't seem to stop them running in the ball. Mine had a couple of sharp ended pointy bits inside near where the lid goes on so I snipped those off and sanded that bit.

Generally I am in the camp that thinks a playpen is better than a ball. And balls aren't recommended for dwarf hamsters.
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Old 04-02-2016, 01:51 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

I think your hams are Russian dwarfs aren't they?
Balls can be particularly unsafe for dwarf hams, they are more likely to get injured by banging into things or to get their feet trapped than syrians are & they are often quite scared by them which is a problem as you have no way of knowing if they are running for fun or in a desperate bid to escape!
Dwarf hams are a whole lot easier than syrians when it comes to play pens too, you can buy metal ones & they can't climb out or you can make one quite simply.
Playpens are also a lot more fun for both ham & owner if you put toys & other things to explore in there & it makes interaction with your ham or hams a whole lot easier too.

Opinions do differ but mine is for dwarf hams at least the only thing a ball is good for is transporting from the cage, otherwise I would bin them!
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Old 04-02-2016, 01:57 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

I used to use hamster balls as I always thought that they were just what you did with hamsters but stopped using them with mine after I became aware of an issue with them. I keep Chinese and I've not heard of this occurring with Syrians but one of my hamsters feet became caught in the ventilation holes. Thankfully she wasn't hurt but I think that had to have frightened her.

Following that, I stopped using exercise balls but I know many people have used them with their own hamsters for years without any problems. I would personally avoid exercise balls with dwarf hamsters and would limit the time that I'd keep a Syrian in one but they can have their uses even if the hamster doesn't actually run in one (as Serendipity explained very well).

I too prefer playpens and find it to be a great opportunity to interact with my hamsters as they are playing.
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Old 04-02-2016, 02:27 AM   #5
WinnieTheHam
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

My hamsters get scared of them, I only used a ball with Winston (he was my first ham out of the ones I have at the moment). The loud banging against things scares them, they have very good hearing so it will be really frightening to them. Their body weight gets thrown around quite a bit because the ball is quite heavy. Winston showed signs of stress and obsessively cleaned his face in his ball, he would also urinate in his ball. I decided to no longer use it with any of my hamsters. They have nowhere to run if they want to, because they're trapped in a little space.

I've used mine as a little hammock in Winston's cage. I tied it to the roof and put some tissue in there and he quite liked it.

I agree with others that a playpen is much better for them
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Old 04-02-2016, 02:33 AM   #6
shawniyatwain
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

I think it's a mixed view situation, I have no problem with them but a playpen is better. If you have occasional busy night were you can't watch them constantly in a playpen then I would say it's fine, they are mostly safe but you do need to keep an eye on them, I use them when I am doing house work, and they usually follow you in the ball
I have had them for both Syrians and dwarves both used to get very excited about going in the ball.
I would say fine to use as long as you keep an eye on them and don't keep them in for any longer than 10-15mins although ovc ourselves don't put them in of your hamster doesn't like them.
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Old 04-02-2016, 02:36 AM   #7
SKB_Hamsters
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

Most of my hamsters all tried to escape the balls and chew the doors off and have escape so have since stopped using them as they can cause stress as hamsters like to explore and the ball can restrict this behaviour. My current hamster never used to run much in the ball but find a nice corner so she could sleep in the ball. If you want to provide your hamster out of cage time I would highly recommend a playpen you can either buy one or use a large cardboard box as one as you can place toys inside for your hamster to play with and they seem to have more fun than if they were in a ball. But it also depend upon the hamster some hamsters enjoy them while other hate them!
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Old 04-02-2016, 06:24 AM   #8
Hamsterx2
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Default Re: Hamster Balls bad?

Thank you for all the advice,

It seems the general consensus is that they're bad for dwarfs so we've agreed to stop using them. Also found a 'Pet Help Sheet' from the RSPCA which says that they have concerns about the use of hamster balls (page 1 of Google search 'are hamster balls bad'
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