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Old 09-01-2013, 10:15 AM   #1
WendyAnne
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Question Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I've been reading a book (written by an exotic pet vet) about dwarf hamsters, and I was kind of surprised to read that the author does not recommend those clear plastic exercise balls (made to put hamsters in). She says that, even though the balls have air holes/openings, hamsters can get overheated and stressed out when inside them. Advice, please! Thank you!
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:21 AM   #2
Kirsty1987
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I think it really depends on the hamster some love going in the balls others are not so keen if its only for a short period of time I would say no more than 15 minutes. I don't use them as neither of my dwarf hamsters like them they just sit there and clean themselves and don't run, They prefer to be in a play pen or free roam on my bed. I have never heard of a hamster being affected while using an exercise ball
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:22 AM   #3
souffle
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

Everyone has different opinions on these but I personally don't use balls. I always feel like they are going nowhere. They are in a plastic sphere where they can't sniff of climb and it crashes in to things and bangs and it just seems to me rather pointless.
I know lots of people seem to find their hammies appear to enjoy them but they are not for me personally. I know hammies use feels but they can choose to get out these and also to stop when they wish and they don't crash either.
We like free running in a secure space and handling on a bed with cushions and things to scramble over.
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:24 AM   #4
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

It's a heated topic, many debates have been had on the subject

I think the general consensus in the UK/US is that exercise balls are fine assuming you only let them out in short periods of time and that you supervise at all times. It's also important that the size is appropriate for their species and size. Furthermore, some manufacturers do produce balls that have poor ventilation, so you need to choose carefully.

Unfortunately it can be difficult to determine if a hamster really enjoys the exercise ball. For example, does a hamster willingly jumping into the ball mean they enjoy it? Will all hamsters simply stop still if they want to come out? I don't know.

Interestingly, some German forums absolutely do not recommend them, some members even call them mean (amongst other things).

It's a very personal decision, to each their own. My personal opinion is that if I am going to be supervising my hamster outside of their cage, why not use a big playpen full of toys where she can be free to do as she pleases
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:29 AM   #5
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

at the moment because elmos not fully tame and doesnt have a large cage I let him run in the ball, I assume he loves it as he gets straight in, and flies round the room, however when I let him run at the bottom of our hall (the only place I can guarantee he wont run off ad escape somewhere lol) he didnt seem to like it

( hes a syrian though not a dwarf)
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Old 09-01-2013, 10:42 AM   #6
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I never use them and never liked them. Dwarf and Syrian hamsters, if given a decent sized cage and wheel, don`t need to run about on the floor. Handling is one thing but a ball is enclosed and can seem claustrophobic and un-natural to a rodent that doesn`t like the feeling of being trapped in a small space. Open space where they can explore naturally (a solid sided play pen) for example, is a much more natural option.

Put yourself in the hamster`s place. You are inside a round ball. It`s un stable and you can`t see where you are going. You feel a little disorientated but try to move anyway. The ball lunges forward and sideways making you un balanced. It bangs into something causing a loud noise inside the ball. To sensitive hearing, this must be a bit of a fright.

Hamsters have four feet while we only have two, so their balance inside a ball will of course be better, but consider that a hamster ball is just an invention for kids and there you have it. A plastic piece of junk. Sorry, but that`s what I feel it is.
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Old 09-01-2013, 01:16 PM   #7
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I have heard some stories about hams getting their feet caught in ventilation holes, but those are very rare. If a hamster suffocates inside a ball... Then the owner probably wasnt supervising him and didn't see the signs. I let mine go in balls but that's only because they are in temporary cages with very little space. I've built a large playpen out of cardboard boxes and tubes and scattered food and toys in it, and my ham Lilo seems to enjoy that more than a ball. She still gets bored in the playpen, but at that point I let her run on my bed. Really its between you and your ham
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Old 09-03-2013, 07:34 AM   #8
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

Thank you, everyone, for the great info and advice! Yes, I see that this is a debatable topic. I was mainly using the ball for occasional exercise and when we were cage cleaning. Maybe we will use a playpen for our next hammy instead.
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Old 09-03-2013, 07:51 AM   #9
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I think balls are great for keeping your ham out trouble while you clean the cage. I've found that mine sometimes doesn't want to get out. She will willingly climb in but when I go to let her out she sticks her head out then goes back in and tries to run even though I am holding it often though she will just jump back into her cage when she's had enough and nothing beats running around free. Even if they have a lovely big cage and wheel (as mine does) sometimes they just want to experience new smells and surroundings.
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Old 09-04-2013, 07:18 AM   #10
Susie
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Default Re: Are exercise balls bad for dwarf hamsters?

I will always detest hamster balls, and i don't understand why people use them. Hamsters are curious of course they're gonna climb in the ball, doesn't mean they like it! I had a syrian hamster called Greyson, he was a happy, beautiful little boy full of life...only 1 years old.. until he was put in the exercise ball, a regular hamster ball where he got his feet trapped and then broke his back and became half paralysed and died by my side. They are awful, awful things. I wish i knew the potential of these things before it took my babies life.
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