Is it safe to use hamster ball as a wheel?

nimipu · 10-29-2020, 02:57 PM

Hello, I'm Beyzanur from Turkey. Currenty I have a syrian hamster named Suphi. Month ago, I bought him a hamster ball thinking it is safe and would be something fun to use for my hamster. Later, I learnt the truth that it is neither safe nor fun for hamster.

2 weeks ago, I upgraded my son's cage. It's a bin cage. My former wheel can't be attached to the cage (even it could, it's too small, so unsafe) so i placed the hamster ball since it has standing legs(?) my son uses it too much and loves it but I'm not sure if it is safe or not.

You may say "buy a wheel" but I don't have much money and Turkish Lira (currency) is too weak to buy wheel on Amazon etc.

here is the photo of the hamster wheel (if i can place the photo)

thanks for any answers!

maudie222 · 11-03-2020, 03:05 PM

Hi I've read their feet can become trapped in a hamster ball and if this happened while you were asleep it wld be awful. See what others say.

Pebbles82 · 11-03-2020, 04:58 PM

It is difficult when it’s hard to find good wheels and money is tight but I have to agree it wouldn’t be safe really as you wouldn’t be around to supervise at night. My concern would also be a toe or foot getting trapped, the ball toppling over (depending how stable it is on the stand) etc. Most balls are also too small for Syrians as well so he wouldn’t be able to run with a straight back. That is also the issue in a wheel that is too small. If they run with a curved spine they can develop back pain and need vet treatment.

An upright wheel is what they need - minimum 8” diameter (for an average sized Syrian) but ideally 10 to 11” diameter. A ball needs to be 10 to 12” diameter. Most balls are only 6 or 7”.

Can you get things on Amazon? If not this link might help. Zooplus do very reasonably priced, safe hamster wheels - the plastic trixie 28cm wheel is cheap and a good wheel. I am not sure if Zooplus delivers to turkey or not - they deliver to most of Europe - but this site seems to offer a service to deliver Zooplus purchases. I’ll link the wheel as well. Actually zooplus don’t have the plastic wheel right now (probably covid supply and demand). So I’ve linked it on Amazon below. UK Amazon might ship to turkey if you try going through checkout. Zooplus do have the wood trixie wheel which is a good wheel and about the same price. But most people paint if with pet safe waterproofing paint and that might be difficult for you to get hold of.

https://www.colisexpat.com/pages/en/...rquie/zooplus/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-6101...e+wheel&sr=8-1

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._wheels/609617

Pebbles82 · 11-03-2020, 05:01 PM

Sorry I just saw Amazon isn’t an option. I’ll see what other options there are. If you do find an 8 to 11” wheel it needs to have a solid surface - not a mesh wheel. The wood trixie wheel doesn’t have to be painted- but it does get stinky and then needs washing under running water. I did that with by first wheel and that was ok but it didn’t have the cork surface - eventually it would fall apart.

Pebbles82 · 11-03-2020, 05:09 PM

Viovet sell the 8.5” comfort wheel. It’s cheap - not the quietest wheel but it’s a good wheel. They ship anywhere in the world. You need to go through the checkout process to find the cost of delivery but it’s usually quite reasonable. Or is the exchange rate still an issue?

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Interpet-Su...=wheel&sct_r=3

NutMega870 · 11-11-2020, 10:10 PM

I've heard of people making DIY hamster wheels... you could try that

Pebbles82 · 11-12-2020, 11:28 AM

Good idea nutmega - there are lots of videos and tutorials on making a bucket wheel.It might not be any cheaper though.

NibblesTheHam · 11-12-2020, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Good idea nutmega - there are lots of videos and tutorials on making a bucket wheel.It might not be any cheaper though.

There are also DIY wheels that people make out of popsicle sticks that might be cheaper than a bucket wheel.

Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGHJjf4o5w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOHvWCGYoHE

AmityvilleHams · 11-12-2020, 03:14 PM

I would just make a DIY bucket wheel. It isn't the cheapest option compared to making one with popsicle sticks, but it will be significantly more long lasting and you won't have to do anything to make it waterproof.

Do look around for a bucket or some sort of similar round plastic container with an internal diameter of 12 inches though. You might have to look into livestock/horse feed containers of some sort for this size, but it is best to just have a 12 inch wheel since that size can work for any Syrian.

nimipu · 12-25-2020, 11:16 AM

Hi everyone! I'm here to say you that I got Trixie 28 cm wheel! Thank you all for helping me.