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Old 07-18-2018, 02:37 PM   #11
velma
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Default Re: Hamster balls

Like Fluffagrams said, I don’t use a ball at all for my Chinese hams or when I had a robo. I personally do have one for the Syrians I have had. Cleo seemed to mostly enjoy it, pip not really having any of it. But it’s up to them if they’ve got in and they’re never in it for long before they’re offered a drink or the chance to get out. Any signs they’re not enjoying and back in the cage. I have cats and although the cats don’t go in the hamster room, I’m a bit conscious that occasionally the cats have managed to open the door so I’m happier to use the ball than an open play pen for that reason. I tape the lid on so no unexpected surprises. But this is just what works for me and like I said, I let the hamsters dictate the terms as best as I can tell.
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Old 07-19-2018, 03:09 AM   #12
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster balls

Not for dwarf hamsters. I am not keen on Hamster Balls for Syrians for exercise either and prefer out of cage time on the sofa exploring or in a playpen area But I do have a ball for our Syrian (savic rat ball) - and occasionally I do let him go in it but never for more than 5 or 10 minutes and being observed - then he gets a bit more sofa time. He seems to like it because he doesn't want to come out afterwards and keeps trying to run in it when it's still. But only once in a blue moon really, for a bit of variety. Mostly he prefers the sofa.

But they are risky and need supervision. Have also had a hamster escape from one! There are theories that hamsters are frightened in balls and trying to run away and also stories of toenails being caught and damaged in vent holes.

So it's just little and sensibly I think. A ball is very useful for transporting them (carrying the ball) from one room to another without them escaping and for letting them hop into when getting out of the cage for transporting them.

The main issues are. Standard hamster balls are too small for Syrians really, and not suitable for dwarf hamsters. Rat balls are a better size for syrians but have larger vent holes and so have different risks. The Savic Rat ball has the narrowest slits in but I'm careful to observe when our hammy is in it. But it also has knobbly sharp bits where it fastens which could hurt their feet (I filed them down).
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