Hamster balls are unsafe

[hamster thorn]

Hey guys!

I was just browsing through the hamster Wiki a bit, and stumbled upon this: Hamster Roll Around / Zoomer Balls - Good or Bad? - Hamster Central WIKI

I was honestly very shocked, it says hamster balls can be a 'great toy for your hamster if used correctly/carefully', despite all the big negative things that can happen to hamsters in there, some of which were listed there too! I see hamster balls as absolutely terrible, and don't see how people could use them.

That being said, I would really be interested to hear your opinions!

[Ria P]

I've never bought a hamster ball and never will.

There is no way that i would trap my hamster inside a plastic ball.

[LunaTheHamster1]

I had a hamster ball many years ago (back in the 80's) as we thought it was a good way to exercise your hamster safely. Ha, what the heck did we know!!! There is no way I would ever stick my hamster in a ball these days. I much prefer having a spare wheel outside my hamsters cage that she can jump on and off of as she pleases. I would recommend that to anyone anytime rather than a ball.

[AmityvilleHams]

Knowing all the wonderful information we know now, I can't in any way justify purchasing a hamster ball. There's really no good reason to use them when there are so many different options to actually give your hamster some form of enrichment no matter how small of an area you have to use for this purpose.

ETA I've considered them as potential enrichment devices for other species but certainly not in the way these manufacturers intend them to be used, and the idea almost definitely wouldn't work anyways.

[Schwartzie]

I also had a plastic ball for my hamsters as a child...again, I hope they look down and forgive my ignorance. My poor hamsters used to be put in those balls daily - cringe.

[Shannonmcn]

A lot of people still use them. People who know all the risks and who have been told the issues and just still think it's worth it. "My hamster loves their ball and hops right in and runs for hours" like... okay I get why that's difficult "evidence" to ignore.

My childhood hams did certainly hop right in and seemed happy enough! But they didn't know any different and since there really is no way to know for SURE that they're running because they want to and not because they have to, I have to take the path of least risk. I'm sure people that still use hamster balls are genuinely convinced their hamster enjoys it.

[karlh]

This has been a topic of much discussion. Apparently, in Germany they are NOT sold anymore.
I am "neutral" on the issue. I just wonder where all those who claim the balls are bad for hamster, get their information from? Has a hamster complained that he has been cooked up in a plastic ball? And all the other assumptions.
What I am really concerned about, is the tiny cages hamsters are housed in. These are far too small, yet they are happily used and sold.

[Pebbles82]

I think my main issue with hamster balls was there aren’t any suitable ones really. They are all too small. The rat balls were seen as a better size for Syrian hamsters but they had larger slits and that’s a risk for toes getting caught and injuries. I looked into it a lot some years ago and the only suitable rat ball was the Savic one which has narrower slits.

Things have changed - at one time that was seen as standard for hamster exercise and many people who didn’t educate themselves about hamster matters, weren’t using them safely (ie not supervising and balls getting bear stairs, and leaving hamsters in them too long).

That’s the main concerns. I play pen or other out of cage time is better. However I do still have my Savic rat ball and still use it now and then - for variety of out of cage time. But only for about five minutes.

Some people used to swear their hamsters enjoyed the ball and would hop into it. I think they can enjoy it, as they enjoy a wheel - but for very short periods.

A ball can be useful for transporting them to another room and safer than carrying them in your hands.

All the above is for Syrians. I don’t think balls are suitable for any species of dwarf hamster.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by karlh

This has been a topic of much discussion. Apparently, in Germany they are NOT sold anymore.
What I am really concerned about, is the tiny cages hamsters are housed in. These are far too small, yet they are happily used and sold.

It's usually ignorant people who keep hamsters in small cages and then subject them to hamster balls as well. Kind of goes together.

Anybody who knows proper hamster care and keeps their hamster in an appropriately sized cage would also offer their hamster out of cage time in a safe free roaming area or large playpen.

In my opinion, hamster balls are made for the convenience of humans who can't be bothered to give a hamster what they deserve.

As for evidence. I have used hamster balls as a safe means of transport for many foster hamsters to carry them from their cage to the play area. Hamsters will walk into a ball same as they walk into a tube or mug. Every single hamster i have carried inside a ball pawed the sides desperately trying to get out.
Of course they run when people put them on the floor. What else are they supposed to do. I'm convinced that people are mistaken by thinking that hamsters are having a good time. More likely they are stressed and trying to get out.

I wished the UK and the rest of the world would follow Germany and take these evil traps off their shelves!

[Ria P]

Posted at the same time as Serendipity.

I should have added "nowadays" in my hamster ball rant above. I know that hamster balls were standard years ago but nowadays people are more educated and aware of other options for out of cage time.