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Old 03-17-2020, 01:10 PM   #1
NibbleeTheHamster
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Question opinion on hamster balls?

I want to know what everyones view on hamster balls are. Would you possibly recommend them or no? I personally do not support them as i see them as cruel, your hamster can't leave to get water or food and could possibly get its feet stuck in the air holes. plus your hamster cant see well through as hamsters already have poor eyesight, what is everyone elses opinion on them?
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Old 03-17-2020, 01:16 PM   #2
sushi_78
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

My opinion is that while some people report their hamsters love them, and probably some really do, I suspect the majority of hamsters do not like them for all the reasons you have given, and many are probably quite stressed by them. I also suspect that those hamsters that do appear to enjoy hamster balls would much prefer free roaming or running in a pen normally. An exercise pen isn't hard to set up. A large box, or a bathtub is easy to use, so I don't see any reason to resort to hamster balls. I wouldn't ever use one myself.

Edited to add: It's also probably quite easy to see a hamster running wildly in a ball and assume they are having a great time, when in fact they are probably terrified and trying to get out.
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Old 03-17-2020, 02:27 PM   #3
Vierville
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

I must agree with both of you. None of my hamsters have appeared to enjoy going into a hamster ball. I have completely stopped using them.
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Old 03-17-2020, 02:45 PM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

Agree, would never have one.
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Old 03-17-2020, 03:31 PM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

Never had one of those awful traps called hamster balls and never will.
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Old 03-17-2020, 04:23 PM   #6
VOESSY
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

Same, I find them absolutely horrid.
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Old 03-17-2020, 04:37 PM   #7
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

The only good use might be in place of cups and such to transport a hamster in and out of cages, playpens, etc - but that's where their usefulness stops! I'd consider them more of an overpriced torture device than anything.
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Old 03-18-2020, 11:46 AM   #8
Pinky and the Brain
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Thumbs up Re: opinion on hamster balls?

Hello, I'm new to posting on Hamster Central.
This subject I have always found really interesting and I have done a lot of my own researching on Hamster balls.

Regrettably as a child I used to use Hamster balls to exercise my Syrians. Which prompted me as an adult pet owner to look into this product.
I now am proud pet parent of 2 Roborovski, Pinky and Brain.

When I first started my taming sessions I used the "tube" method for transporting them in and out of their enclosure. In my experience with my boys I thought this looked quite distressing for them as I would 90% cover both ends for their safety during transport which makes it dark.
Due to the nature of Roborovski being very fast and in most cases slower to tame taking more time and patience, I decided to look for a better way that I felt suited my boys best. Yes I use a clear Hamster ball for transportation purposes, I feel they are happier to be transported this way with more air and light. I also feel like this is a less intimidating way of transportation.
This is all my own experience with my boys and my opinion.

I don't feel Hamster balls offer any sort of healthy excise option and agree with all threads above but at the same time have always found such a general negative reaction to them online however I do personally feel in some cases and used correctly, have a good use and I would never be without mine.

I would never recommend this item to anyone without having a long conversation about it and how to use it as they are advertised as exercise balls.

Please feel free to disagree with me if you think I'm wrong but I would love to hear your reason and maybe a experience so we can all learn.

Massive thank you to NibbleeTheHamster for bringing this subject up.
Thanks for reading
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Old 03-21-2020, 06:49 AM   #9
Petite
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinky and the Brain View Post
When I first started my taming sessions I used the "tube" method for transporting them in and out of their enclosure. In my experience with my boys I thought this looked quite distressing for them as I would 90% cover both ends for their safety during transport which makes it dark.
Due to the nature of Roborovski being very fast and in most cases slower to tame taking more time and patience, I decided to look for a better way that I felt suited my boys best. Yes I use a clear Hamster ball for transportation purposes, I feel they are happier to be transported this way with more air and light. I also feel like this is a less intimidating way of transportation.
This is all my own experience with my boys and my opinion.
Hello, and welcome to Hamster Central. I hope you find us friendly folk. I've had a lot of really helpful advice from the forum, and hope you do too.

Re your post, hamsters actually are not bothered by darkness; it's largely their natural situation in the wild as they are nocturnal. But I don't think it matters how you transport your hammies; the most important thing is that they are safe, and if the hamster ball works for you then it's all good.

I have a hamster ball since when I bought my last hamster the shop did not have a carrier I could buy to transport her in. But I very rarely used it with her and - except for transportation purposes such as you describe - don't think I will again.

It's good to hear from you, and I look forward to seeing you around the forum.
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Old 03-21-2020, 04:30 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: opinion on hamster balls?

I think they are a no-no for dwarf hamsters and roborovski's definitely - particularly the issue with risks of trapped toes, and fear. Some Syrian owners say hamsters enjoy their ball - I find once they've had a playpen or free roaming they're not really interested in a ball. The main issue with balls for Syrians is they're not big enough so you then need a rat ball and most of the rat balls have larger slits and then you get trapped toe issues again.

The Savic 25cm Rat ball has slits that aren't too large. I have one but only very rarely use it. As Amity says it is handy to have a ball to safely transport a hamster from room to room eg - or from cage to playpen/bathtub as they will hop into it and you can then pop the lid on and carry them. That is safer than carrying them in your hands from the cage as they can suddenly wriggle free, fall and hurt themselves.

Very occasionally I have let one of our syrians have some time in a ball - if they are wanting out and haven't been able to set up the playpen for some reason. I have not found either of our Syrians bothered by it but neither have they been great rollers either! I find they just do the usual sniffing while in it, exploring.

But use it very rarely. From a safety point of view also,they should never be left unattended in a ball - they can get stuck or roll down stairs with serious consequences - and they should never be in it for more than 10 to 15 mins at one go.
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