hamster ball

[ilovemyhammies]

ive always thought hamster balls are cruel
but am i being mean by not letting our hammies have one ?

[Theodore]

I think keeping a hammy cooped up in a cage is cruel In the wild, these animals run miles every night in search of food, but in captivity, the owner is in control of how they get their exercise. Sure, they have their wheel, and I think they get all their exercise from that - some run on them for hours, but I think environment enrichment is important. In my mind, I wouldn't want a hamster running freely on my living room floor, for one thing I'd hate for it to disappear behind the gas fire or something, or maybe accidentally getting stepped on. I'm in two minds really as to hamster balls. They can run around in them, not get lost, unlikely to get hurt etc. But then again, are they actually gaining anything by being in them? They can't hunt for food in a hamster ball, and in the wild, surely this is their primary reason for traveling as far as they do every night? In captivity, their needs are met for nutrition. They have a bowl of Harry Hamster and a nice clean bottle of water available whenever they fancy it (I'm not grouping neglected hammys in here, I'm thinking in their respect, if they are not getting adequate nutrition, it's unlikely they will be using hamster balls anyway ). Maybe it's more a human desire to put them in a ball and assume they are happy to be in there

I don't know the answer to this, and I'm sure there will be lots of differing opinions. I have a hamster ball, but my Chinese mostly just sit and clean themselves in it

Emma [/b]

[souffle]

Personally we don't use balls as we feel that when they are inside them to the hamster they are not actually going anywhere! They are just in the same plastic space. They can't sniff, forage. climb, pop into nooks and crannies or interact with their owners. We prefer free play with handling stroking and playing. However I don't think they are cruel as most hammies are willing to climb in and many owners seem to think they enjoy it. As long as they are not in too long and have frequent breaks for drinks and food and have normal handling time they seem to make a useful additional play toy for a hamster.

[sarahh]

Hi ya due to having cats we do not have any choice but to use hammy balls, ours love them they wizz round everywhere round the bottom of the house. I do not think they are cruel at all. We let them play on the sofa after they have had a run about and handle them they are happy.

I have one hamster who doesn't like the ball so he doesn't go in one and sits with me.

If they were in the wild yes they would run miles searching for food but they have their food in the pots ion the cages or you can hide food in things for them. The ball gives them the opportunity of running about without getting hurt or stood on by other people or any other animal getting hold of them. Also wires it is very hard to hamster proof a whole house.

Having a hamster cooped up in a cage day after day is cruel not giving them exercise therefore putting on weight. If they didn't want to go in balls they would just sit there and not move or not want to get in the ball.

I think hammy balls are fine.

[Yaffle]

All of my hamsters have the opportunity to have some ball time, although some don't like it so they just get free play. I don't think balls are cruel, I think they're a safe way for them to get some time out of their cage.

[arlev]

Originally Posted by Yaffle

All of my hamsters have the opportunity to have some ball time, although some don't like it so they just get free play. I don't think balls are cruel, I think they're a safe way for them to get some time out of their cage.

We never used balls - we built a compound (see a previous posting). However, hamsters can chew through wires (they think they're roots) - this is okay for the hamster if it's a speaker cable but not great if it's a mains wire.

So, a ball would be good to protect the hamster in this manner.

My only reservation with balls is that they can run fairly quickly and the shock of slamming into solid furniture must cause the hamster some 'shock' that would be preventable by building a compound.

[Gust0o]

Ha, mixed opinions on this I see - and I'm not sure if mine will particularly help aid clarity!

I'm very much in favour of balls, as part of a variety of exercise you might offer your hamster.

It gives them the chance to cover territory in a safe manner; it adds variety and interest - two key positives for me.

Where you have other pets, who might interfere with your hamster; or where you're unable to hamster-proof your room, or immediate area, for free-roaming, then I think they're invaluable for helping a hamster get the exercise it requires.

And the variety, for me, is key - it's a game, and it's something different; possibly why balls are seemingly so popular with our animals.

Yes, perhaps there are 'better' ways of providing this exercise - but balls are a compromise with our lives; where we don't have to worry about treading on free-roaming animals, or wire-chewing, or disappearances...

So, a big 'yes' for me

[Gust0o]

this is okay for the hamster if it's a speaker cable

Oooh, I don't know!!!!!

My precious speakers!!!!!

[sarahh]

I think all in all hamster balls are fine. If people didn't use them or weren't popular they wouldn't have been around for over 15 years+. I remember the first hamster I had and he had a ball and love it and I was 5 years old then.

Sarah x

Some hamsters definitely like balls. My LH Syrian Custard sulked tonight until I let him out in his, and then he wouldn't get out of it the first time I tried to get him back so I had to let him carry on for a while before a second attempt at getting him out.

Whereas my Campbell Jason will literally push it away with his paws when I offer him his ball. Campbell's are so good at making it clear exactly what they do and don't like!

I'm starting to think all my hamsters are dyfunctional.