How to know if you hamster doesn't want to be in their ball?

PluckyCheese · 07-20-2011, 04:07 PM

When I put Chief in his hamster ball, I generally let him run around for about 10-15 minutes and then maybe another 10-15 in a couple hours. He runs around a lot but every now and again, not often he will run into a corner and start scratching at the ball, is this a sign that he does not want to be in there anymore?

Christmas_hamster · 07-20-2011, 07:07 PM

Generally when a hamster is done with their ball or just don't like them they seem to chew at the ball, stop running, go to sleep, empty their pouches, sit grooming for a long while and do anything but run in it. When Chief is in the corner is he scratching at the side facing the corner, as if trying to make it move or is he just scratching as through trying to dig his way out? If it looks like he's trying to keep running than perhaps he doesn't quite understand that he can turn around to get out of the corner, he may need turning around- or he's trying to see if he can get past it. If he seems to be trying to escape then he's probably done with it at that point.

DoomSlave · 07-20-2011, 09:17 PM

When my HamHam got tired of being in his ball he would scratch the inside of it much the same way a dog scratches at the door when they want to be let out. I do agree with Christmas_Hamster though, my hamsters would stop and groom when they were done in their ball.

SnickersTheFirst · 07-20-2011, 11:59 PM

I usually offer my hamster the ball and see if they walk in themselves instead of forcing them in.

I don't use balls anymore but my lot would stop running and just sit there or scratch the sides when they'd had enough.

racinghamster · 07-21-2011, 12:59 AM

I don`t use hamster balls either. If a hamster has a good enough (and big enough) wheel, they don`t need a ball. All a ball does is contain a hamster from running free, so enclosing them in one is`nt something I would ever do. It`s not interacting with them physically so all a ball really does is allow the hamster to run inside a sphere that does`nt allow natural exploring. It can`t see or smell anything outwith the ball and then finds itself back in it`s cage again. My syrian Boris is nervous now because his previous home used a ball rather than handling him and also housed him in a Rotastak, so now I have a hamster who is biddable, but nervous of being handled.

I would say ditch the ball and make him a run from old cardboard boxes and clip them together to make a large open run/play-pen.

PluckyCheese · 07-21-2011, 01:17 AM

Thank you, I don't force him in, he seems to like going in I just wanted to double check things I might be missing if he doesn't want to be in there anymore. I actually have a cardboard box, I got one not long ago. Planning to set it up today ready for him tonight, looking forward to it.

racinghamster · 07-21-2011, 02:56 AM

The thing is, a hamster will walk into any toy or tube so nobody can tell whether they are voluntarily liking a ball or not. If they make it move they are doing so because they are moving, so the ball will move, but it can`t be nice for a poor sighted animal to bang into objects it can`t see. When they run in a wheel, the wheel is open sided, so they can choose to use it. A ball is enclosed, so the hamster has no choice buy to stay inside it. They could be running around inside it looking for a way out, rather than actually enjoying it, which is what a human perceives as `enjoying` because it looks fun to us. Which is why it is stated they should`nt be allowed to use a ball for more than 15 minutes as they could become stressed or anxious. I don`t personally feel they need this when a bit of time making a large run is a better option.

**Roxie** · 07-21-2011, 03:17 AM

Cookie comes over to me, gets on her hind legs and looks up at me when she's had enough. When she's on the sofa with me for playtime the balls there empty and she'll run in when she's ready. She won't leave the ball until she has some ball time.

I know not everyone agrees with balls but I think it really is down to the individual hamsters. I'm as certain as I can be that Cookie really enjoys her.

PluckyCheese · 07-21-2011, 04:27 AM

Thank you. Aww Cookie sounds very cute. I agree with you about it being down to the individual hamster. I'm learning more about Chief everyday. I can tell that he is gaining more trust in me which I am so thrilled about. I have been worried he would not be able to settle in.

Christmas_hamster · 07-21-2011, 08:12 AM

I don't believe that hamsters don't know what a ball is once they've been in it. Many of my hamsters have loved it and quickly learned the layout of the room, knowing when to turn and when to stop so as not to a hit a wall. Hamsters have poor eyesight anyways, a ball isn't impairing that much and they can certainly still smell and hear from them. Watching them and observing their behaviour is an easy way to distinguish what they are feeling about the ball- it really isn't hard. Not all of them will like it, but some do and it is just another option for them to do something. If used responsibly by the owner then for hamsters that enjoy them, they can be a great option.