Exercise options for obese hamsters?

BrainGirl · 04-26-2010, 07:26 AM

I just got a hamster who is obese. She got a lot of cheese in her last home and at 3 months old, she has rolls of fat hanging off her sides. She looks quite healthy otherwise and she is fairly active so I'm not terribly worried yet. She does seem to like her wheel although with her tunnel packing habit she gets blocked in to her bottom cage a lot. Her wheel is in the top cage but I'd like to give her some sort of exercise toy in each of her 3 cages. For variety as well as to ensure she has access to something should she get blocked in. I don't really want to put a wheel on every floor, can anyone recommend some other toys to encourage exercise?

xAwesomex · 04-26-2010, 07:49 AM

Hmm, Well Boo LOVES climbing, Maybe you could try some ladders/ropes? (:Or a hamster ball ... ?

Cheeky · 04-26-2010, 07:53 AM

I have an overweight rescue hamster who loves this toy:

Suspension Bridge of Natural Wood at zooplus

She climbs all over it and also climbs the bars on her cage and runs in her wheel. She's losing weight and gaining strength every day.

I saw a negative review on it by someone saying they think it's dangerous, but they don't say anything happened to their hamster. I think it's fine. I have another hamster who has a similar toy and neither of my hams have any problems with the chains. They don't bother with the metal bits, just the wood.

xAwesomex · 04-26-2010, 07:57 AM

Sakura nearly lost her foot in a chain similar to the one on that ladder

But that might have just been a one off (:

Fidgetthefirst · 04-26-2010, 08:00 AM

I dont really know for the toys - but make sure she is let out of her cage to run around every day for about 20-40 minutes. They usually really enjoy having the run of the bath/room, and also, Milo loves to climb the stairs - and he proper has to dig his claws in because our steps our quie high, and that keeps his muscles nice and his weight down alot too.

She'll be looking as fit as a fiddle soon!

Good luck!

fluffymunchkins · 04-26-2010, 09:07 AM

maybe a syrian sized flying saucer?
Porridge fell flat on his face on a similar hanging ladder thing, so he since decided againest climbing on it and to stick to the hammock underneath.

But for the best exercise i would simply suggest playtime. It really is the most entertaining and active way!
From running about the bed under, over and scaleing the cushions and duvet. Or floortime around the room.
Both mine particularly enjoy climbing up the basket drawers like a rock climbing wall, then finding they can't get back down.

Cheeky · 04-26-2010, 11:00 AM

aw I really wish i was able to let my hams run around the room.

I know Pippa would love to.

xAwesomex · 04-26-2010, 12:07 PM

Bathtub with the plug in? (:

fluffymunchkins · 04-26-2010, 12:27 PM

oh yes thats a good idea too, i often do that!
You may want to lay an (old) towel as its more comfortable for there feet or if the tub is wet still. Altough porridge attacked the towel last time so now it is holey

so you have to keep a close eye.

BrainGirl · 04-26-2010, 05:57 PM

Whew, I obviously didn't think about it hard enough, there are obviously lots of ways that my hamster can get exercise! I do like the look of that suspension bridge but unfortunately I don't think the cages I have are tall enough to allow me to hang it. On that same page though I did like the flexible suspension bridge!

I will probably take her into the tub with me to play and I would let her onto the carpet but she's still skittish and runs too fast for me to catch her easily. Especially with all of the places she can go where I can't get her in that room. Way too many shelving units with aquariums

I'm thinking one of those collapsible play pens will be the way to go.

I'm seriously considering getting a hamster ball, too. My bf says he has one for me, but it's stored a fair distance away and will have to wait until he goes home for a visit.

Thanks everybody!