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Old 09-01-2016, 06:27 AM   #1
Culprit
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Question Hamster Ball? Sand bath

I have been wondering, is a hamster ball safe for my dwarf Winter White? I have done my research and some sites say its cruel and they can break stuff, but others say that hamsters love it! Also I made a sand-bath for Zero yesterday, he looked in it that night, but he isn't that active at night, so I waited until this morning. As I was playing with him I would put him in his bath and kind of move the sand around, play in it. He just wasn't interested. Is this normal? Will he get interested after a while? Someone said that they buried treats in their hamster's sand bath, to make it dig, would that work?
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Old 09-01-2016, 06:53 AM   #2
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

I would just put the sand bath in his bin & leave it to him to discover it & use it when he's ready, I'd be surprised if he didn't take to it, all mine have loved their sand & it's good for their skin & fur to have a roll around in the sand. He may use it when you're sleeping so don't assume he isn't if you don't see him, you can usually tell anyway as they like to kick sand everywhere!

Opinions differ on balls generally, I personally don't like them & think they can be dangerous for dwarf hams.
Natural behaviour is foraging for food, digging & generally exploring, all things you can provide for in a safe play area or playpen with a little thought, none of which they can do in a ball so I think a playpen with lots of things to explore, some substrate to dig around in if possible or a dig box & whatever else you can come up with is far more stimulating & interesting for them & also allows you to interact with them which you can't do when they are in a ball.
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Old 09-01-2016, 09:42 AM   #3
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

Ok, any ideas for the playpen sides? Or is a bath tub fine?
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Old 09-01-2016, 10:16 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

Some people use a bath as the playpen others have made play pens. Either are ok.

There are YouTube videos on how to make a play pen. I like the one using open fronted storage boxes and cable ties. They come flat packed as panels and you cable tie them together in a line and overlap the ends once it is setup. It stores folder up to. If your hamster is a dwarf or a chewer you add duck tape at the corners of each panel to make sure the hamster doesn't escape.

Last edited by CMB; 09-01-2016 at 10:22 AM.
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Old 09-01-2016, 12:21 PM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

You can buy metal playpens which although unsuitable for syrians are fine for dwarf hams, I use this one, cardboard is fine if you have some large boxes to make the sides high enough, I've also made one from sheets of correx just fixed at the corners with cable ties, baths are ok but I think a playpen of some kind is easier & more fun probably, I don't have a bath so I've never tried it but I really like to be on the floor with my hams in a safe area.

There are some playpen ideas in this thread that might be worth a look.
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Last edited by cypher; 09-01-2016 at 12:34 PM.
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Old 09-02-2016, 05:42 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

Solid-sided Playpen V Hamster Ball? No contest which is the safer, less stressful option. The playpen. Break up some cardboard boxes and lay them out flat. Cut off the flaps and any excess parts and use the long sides only. Attach the long parts by using strong gaffer tape and add bull clips to the joint as extra strength when stood up and in use. Fold away behind a desk or sofa when not in use.

I`m of the belief that (a) the cage is large enough and (b) the hamster has a good flat surfaced wheel, they don`t need removing from the cage to run about the floor, but you need to weigh up the pro`s and con`s of this. If your hamster is very active and friendly, wants held etc....then S/he may enjoy this kind of outside play. If on the other hand your hamster is content playing within their own environment and you spot clean the cage rather than do full cage cleans (not recommended anyway to reduce stress) then making the choice will depend on these factors. None of the dwarf hamsters I have has were outside the cage hamsters. Only my Chinese female was and even then, I allowed her the choice. If she wanted out, she would walk into a soft pocket hammock I had and come out for a short time. If she didn`t, she wouldn`t go in, so I respected her choice.

Just remember too that because hamster balls are on sale, it doesn`t make them an instant hit with hamsters. They (in my opinion) are for the entertainment of children or for people who see them as quick fixes. Being enclosed inside a ball when you already have poor sight isn`t what I would call fun. x
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Old 09-02-2016, 06:50 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

Alright, that was kind of what I was thinking already on the hamster ball. Zero is very very friendly and loves to explore. I have a wood floor in my room and I think I might close up under dressers and over air vents and mabye let him go in my room. I would be with him the whole time. Would that be ok? I will also set up a play pen
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Old 09-02-2016, 07:25 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

I wouldn't chance letting him run lose in the room, they are so tiny it's very easy for them to disappear somewhere!
Wood floors aren't much fun for furry feet either really, I would stick to a play pen & put something on the floor, I usually use something like an old sheet or duvet cover (make sure he doesn't chew it though mine never have) & scatter some substrate over to dig around in, you could easily do that with a cardboard box type play pen too.
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Old 09-10-2016, 02:03 PM   #9
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

I've never been overalls convinced on balls either. Sand baths 100% - one day he will find it and that will be that. But balls I've never been sure whether they love or hate them. My logic is that they can get plenty of exercise and fun without one and there are a billion alternatives, and more importantly, they will never miss it if it isn't there. Because I can't really stand the idea that I am forcing my ham into a situation that may potentially exhilarate or terrify them I generally avoid. Having said that, I have bought three balls, one for each of my babies. But they just gather dust to be honest. Much better to collect loo roll tubes and throw them all in the bath and let fluffy-bum lose to explore
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Old 09-11-2016, 05:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster Ball? Sand bath

Ok, I think I'll do that! Thanks guys
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