Exercise and Free range

[newtohamsters]

I used to free range my rats in my room but there are too many cables and now I have shiny new laptop so don't want to risk them or it. So now the tats have the bathroom or a run with pea fishing or some kind treat thing. they get a couple of hours on saturday and sunday and about an hour at night (should go do it now really)

The thing is the hamsters. they go in their ball for about 20 minutes a night, but when I put them in the bathroom (minus rats and hoovered) Willow is ok runs around etc but Tab (put in separately they are both syrians) tears up the carpet. not a popular look in the bathroom.

I have tried putting her in the bathroom pre rats and pre Willow - I know it would still smell but not as fresh hopefully! it doesn't make any difference. I tried her on the sofa and she does the same thing. she chews her bars in her cage (she had a little bald spot when I got her but that has covered up now) and the really odd thing was in the bathroom she sqeaked and grunted at the carpet and got SO annoyed, completely focussed on attacking the carpet.

the ball is fab for when I am cleaning her out but I just feel bad that she only gets that and the odd cuddle for exercise. its not really good enough.

so what would you suggest? i'd like a run but one they are expense and two no one seems to think they work, and I don't have videos any more....

Willow has got out of every cardboard enclosure I made. is there like light weight wood? hinged together?

any pictures would be more then welcome.

thanks
Newtohamsters

[Spuds Mum]

Well I don't know about free runs as such, as we don't do this in our house as it isn't suitable, even in the bathroom for one reason or another.
How about you let her free run on the bed with you keeping an eye on her? I am sure she would enjoy the freedom, and you would be able to ensure that your home stays in one piece?

Or you could make a playbox out of a plastic tub (like they use for bin cages) just so she gets a change of scenery and has some different items to play with?

I'm sure she isn't unhappy with not having free runs as such, as long as she has opportunities for exercise (in her cage or out) and lots of care and attention, I'm sure she considers herself one lucky girl!

[Spacemonkey]

Have you considered using the actual bathtub as a play area? I used to do that with my Gerbils, always put the plug in the hole though and add a few toys and hidey places

[souffle]

I agree with spud's mum that they do not really need free running. All ours come out on the bed and we make tunnels and mounds in the duvet or on the sofa with us to supervise. I think some hammies don't really like to be so exposed as they are on the floor and that is why yours is digging up the bathroom carpet, trying to tunnel under. Ours also enjoy supervised stair climbing and if you have a bath you can use that as a pen but I find they will just try and climb out, same as a large plastic tub and get all frustrated. Our guys are always happiest under the duvet in a little tent They get about 20mins each a night and with their cage activity and a good wheel they get plenty exercise. I am sure yours are just fine and very happy

[Basia]

I let mine run around on the spare bed in what is now my hamster room too. They used to go in their balls every night but as I now have so many hamsters it gets a bit of a drag carrying 11 balls downstairs and up again so I tend to have them all out one by one in the bedroom. They all have wodent wheels and quite a few of them refuse to go in their balls now so it obviously meets with their approval.

[babyboos]

my spare bedroom / hamstery is hamster proofed including silicone around all the edges so no gaps in the skirting boards and laminate on the floor - washable to help clean up any accidents and easier to keep clean - I brush every day - I think it is important for hamsters to get out fo their cage every day if possible, even if this is just for 10/15 minutes in addition to 20 minutes ball time. A double bed is ideal although you have to be quick if they take off for the edge on the other side - or in the bath - with plug in - just dump a load of toys and toilet roll tubes etc in and they love it.

[Holly]

Ours really love their free-running time. I get them all out in their balls first (usually in two stages so they aren't out too, long) and do all the feeding/cage tidying while they are running round, then each one gets a few minites handling from me and my son. Then once they are all back (luckily they are all early risers nowadays!) they take it in turns to free-run round the hammy room while I'm on the pc supervising - which they all love!

In your situation I'd go with the bath idea - it makes a great escape-proof playpen.

[Mollz]

I don't let them do free running as much, but they do run around on the sofa combined
with their cuddle time. Then they go in their balls every so often (these two don't really like it - although my previous hamsters have loved it).I'm sure yours are really happy - and maybe you could try the bath tub if you wanted!

[Matty Day]

i give each hammies twenty minutes a night each handling time 30 maybe an hour each and give them an hour each in a playpen per week.

[chase]

We have too many places that hammies could disappear for free running. The syrians come out daily though and run up and down the sofa for a while. Our dwarf hammies are much quicker but still come out every day for a run and play.