Are exercise balls safe?

mitsykitty · 09-22-2013, 09:05 AM

When I was younger I always had a hamster ball for my hamsters but a I get older and more aware of animals health and what they need. Are they really safe? I know they arnt for rats because of the poor ventilation and they cram out in them and most are to small for rats.
I was just thinking if there is poor ventualtion for rats wouldn't it be poor ventualtion for the hamster? If not can someone tell my what a proper size ball would be for a Syrian hamster?

mitsykitty · 09-22-2013, 09:07 AM

This is in the wrong section sorry. Moderators feel free to move it to the right one.

Char · 09-22-2013, 09:10 AM

We use a rat size ball for my hamsters. They love them, but don't like the hamster sized ones.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 09-22-2013, 09:22 AM

Its debatable as to whether or not they are... I think in the end with hamsters there isn't a set rule and its down to the individual person and hamster.

The only health related reason I've heard of against using them is that on rare occasions hamsters can catch their legs in the ventillation slits and end up with a broken limb. Others argue that the hamster can't tell you when to get out e.t.c but others argue that their hamsters are very clear about if they are happy in the ball or not.

cactus · 09-22-2013, 10:04 AM

We have balls for ours, some like going in and some don't. For the ones that do we leave them in for 5-10 mins tops and then offer them some water when they get back out. We've never had any problems with using balls, for the Syrians we use a rat ball and for the smaller ones we use the largest size hamster ball.

mitsykitty · 09-22-2013, 10:28 AM

Ok so I should get a ball ment for rats? I know you use them but does anyone know if they are really safe? I know they arent at all for rats but can they cause any health problems for hamsters? or cause any problems for them being in it?

Char · 09-22-2013, 10:38 AM

I've never had any problems with my hamsters with the rat balls

mitsykitty · 09-22-2013, 11:06 AM

ok, another question how long do you think is a good time to have them in it for? and I have to syrian hamsters I know they shouldn't live together but should they have the same ball? or would that cause stress because of the smell of each other? should I just get two balls? and could they be in them at the same time in the same room? sense they couldn't get to each other.

Char · 09-22-2013, 11:29 AM

Mine all have a ball each and they run around the flat in there balls together, they just run into one another, they don't get stressed. They all love there balls when they have has enough they just sit in the ball

Sparklegirl · 09-22-2013, 11:33 AM

My hamster Zhu Zhu loves her ball. I have it for her and Bibbles and neither mind. If I put in 3 feet away from her on my bed, as soon as I set her down she runs into the ball. I usually give her about 5 minutes so she can pause to get a drink. Then after a few minutes I put her back in if she wants to go.