Hamster Ball

[Cocothesyrian]

What size of hamster ball is best? I have a medium one just now but it isn't the best she can open the lids so just wondering the size that i should have before buying a new one.

[AmityvilleHams]

Honestly you shouldn't buy a new one.Put the money towards a playpen,it is much safer and allows for actual exploration!Or,you can even just build your own out of cardboard or use a bathtub without any water in it.Hamster balls don't do anything in terms of allowing a hamster to explore,and in some countries they're even considered cruel.

[SirLawrence]

There is a lot of debate about hamster balls but it really depends on the hamster. Lawrence had the Living World Medium ball but he outgrew it. I read somewhere that you should view ball size as you would wheel size. He now has a big rat ball from Pets at Home. Its the right size for him (about 10-11inches diameter) and he jumps into it happily and usually doesn't want to go back in his cage. We let him run about in safe areas but if the ball is there he always jumps in that rather than being out in the open.

[ChibiMomo]

I use a hamster ball as a toy. She gets to run around the house and chase the cat for no more than 30 minutes, then she gets placed in a play pen where she can drink water, snack, and explore. It's not a very big playpen, bought it at Petco and it's actually pretty small for a Syrian hammy and not to mention she can escape lol- I have made a mesh top to cover it now so she can't escape. Momo has a medium sized ball- like the size for a small rat. She loves it! For yours, if it's the Kaytee brand (like mine) Just make sure the door is screwed on all the way. Mine kinda gets stuck and if i force it slightly and it snaps shut for a tight grip.

[Rads]

Pip has a hamster ball approx. 10" in diameter which she does like a lot, she often doesn't want to get out of it and go back to her cage.
I do keep the lid taped shut as knowing her she would figure out how to open it, her predecessor Forrest could get out of any hamster ball...!

[CMB]

Try to find one that is big enough so your hamster runs with a straight back. Offer your hamster regular breaks from the ball in case it needs food, water or to go to the toilet.

[InkyPen]

On the topic of hamster balls and welfare - I always let our hamster choose whether or not she wants to go in. Typically, when she's out of the cage (e.g. she likes running around on our sofa) then I'll hold it open for her. If she chooses to go in (I also give her a few seconds to change her mind, which does happen sometimes!) then I figure that she is probably happy to run around in it. I also limit her to 10-15 minutes in it so that she doesn't get over tired.

She doesn't always want to go in, which is fine, but at least she gets the choice! I figure that if she hated it then she would just avoid it.

[Cinnamon Bear]

If you tape it shut, painters tape works good as it doesn't leave any residue:)

[Fluffagrams]

As others have said, there are mixed opinions about the use of hamster balls however this is not the place to discuss the welfare issues surrounding them.

There is no hard and fast rule as to what size you should get for your hamster as Syrians can vary a lot in size but a good general guideline is as it is for exercise wheels. Can your hamster run comfortably in her existing wheel without arching of the spine? If she can and she's fully grown then there'd not necessarily be a need to buy anything bigger.

Doors that can be easily opened seem to be a common factor amongst users of hamster balls so it's probably not an issue that is only affecting one particular brand. I'd follow everyone else's advice and look at putting small pieces of tape on the lids to keep your hamster safe.

[Cocothesyrian]

Thank you all my little hammy loves her ball so much that sometimes she refuses to get out :)