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Old 11-10-2017, 05:23 PM   #1
Samwise the Hamster
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Question Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

Disclaimer: photos were taken outside for the lighting only. I don't let him roll around outside.

I just got this long haired Syrian hamster a couple days ago and I can't tell if I got the right size of exercise ball for him. Sorry the pictures aren't too great, he was moving around like crazy. His back arches slightly in the ball as you can see in the photo, but for the most part his back is straight. Only when he's rolling very fast he arches his back and neck upwards a little bit. Is this normal or should I get a bigger exercise ball for him?

Thank you in advance!
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Old 11-10-2017, 06:49 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

I can't tell what size ball it is very well, but the slots do look rather large and that can be risky as they can get a foot or toe caught in them. I tend not to use a ball really now - there are different opinions as to whether it's a good idea or not. A lot of people set up a playpen instead, to let them have out of cage time.

Whether or not hamsters enjoy being in a ball I don't think there is an ideal one. Most standard sized balls are a bit small for syrians (usually 17cm or 18cm diameter). Rat sized balls are a better size but they usually have much larger vents in which are risky for toes getting caught.

The only rat sized ball that has slots that aren't too big, I've found, is the Savic one. I have that ball and occasionally use it. It's still not perfect - I had to snip some sharp bits off inside and sand them. There are some pointy bits near where the lid fits inside. On one ball they were ok but on another they were sharp, so it's something to check for.

Also it comes in two pieces that clip together. Sometimes there's a bit of a gap at the join - also a place to get toenails caught. It shouldn't have a gap - if it does, exchange it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Runne...70_&dpSrc=srch

With a playpen they can run around out of the cage and have toys in there. There are various ways of making them - my first one was large pieces of correx/coroplast (corrugated cardboard with a plastic coating) clipped together with bulldog clips. It needed monitoring though as it wasn't completely escape proof. Zooplus sell a very good one that costs £25. Some people make them out of cardboard from large boxes, or use a ball pit type kids thing.

This is the one I have - I leave it set up on the floor in spare bedroom, but you can take it apart. The corners just slot together

Skyline Ranch Arizona Indoor Run | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!

This is a video of our Syrian in it - gives an idea of size - not too big not too small.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgmy2581U5M

Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-10-2017 at 06:58 PM.
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Old 11-11-2017, 12:57 AM   #3
Samwise the Hamster
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Default Re: Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

That's such a great idea. Thank you for the advice!
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Old 11-11-2017, 02:55 AM   #4
SimonandSyril
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Default Re: Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

Personally, I let my hamster run around in a pet-safe room rather than using a ball as hamsters can get frustrated when they cant get through small spaces. If you do have to use a ball then its just like a wheel, if the back is bent whilst they run around its too small and can give the hamster spine issues in the future.
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Old 11-11-2017, 07:32 AM   #5
velma
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Default Re: Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

I use a ball occasionally for my Syrian but always let him tell me if he wants to play or not. Every hamster is different & is another example I think where getting to know their personality is so important so you can work out what is them running off some energy & what is them being a bit stressed. I have cats and although they're not allowed in the hamster room I worry that if they slipped in I could have a big problem so a ball is a better option for me. I don't use them for my past robo or my Chinese though as I don't think they're suitable for them. With regard to size, I don't think it's as important as with a wheel personally. As long as it's not tiny, I'd rather have the ball I have which I think (but only think) is 7" ish because the vents are smaller than the rat ball where, as Serendipity said, the vents can cause foot injuries. As they are only in balls for very short amounts of time, I don't think you need to worry as much as with a wheel that they can be in for large amounts of time. I got a ball which doesn't come apart in the middle so if they hit the wall it won't fall in half. On mine the only thing that comes off is the lid and I tape that on with making tape - avoiding the vents obviously - as extra security.
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Old 11-12-2017, 04:27 PM   #6
BuddyBW
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Default Re: Is my hamster's ball big enough for him?

With Buddy, I have gone for a rat size ball from P@H. The vents are big and I am concerned about him getting his feet caught so I was very reluctant to use it at first. Buddy has free roam of our large living room in the evenings and I left the ball on the floor one evening only to find him hopping into it and running about the room with the lid off, he seems to enjoy the security it gives him as an enclosed space. I use the ball to transport him between his cage and our living room and then if he's still active once I'm ready for bed, he pootles around the flat in it whilst I brush my teeth. I still wouldn't want him in it for long though! As others have said, an exercise pen or hamster proof room is best.
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ball, back, arches, exercise, photo, part, straight, big, slightly, hamsters, bigger, advance, normal, bit, fast, disclaimer, neck, upwards, rolling, couple, hamster, days, ago, syrian, haired

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