Running Hamster

Product Information

Always supervise a hamster in a ball. Never let her or him out of your sight. The ball offers only minimal protection and you must be there to get your hammy out of trouble at any time. The good news is that you can confine them to an entire room - as long as you closely supervise them there. Make sure to get the right size ball for your hamster. Syrian hamsters, the largest of the household hamster breeds, require a much bigger ball than dwarf hamsters. Dwarf hamsters are too small and not strong enough to maneuver a ball designed for a larger hamster. The hamster ball should be large enough that the hamster is not forced to curve their body to use it. Hamster balls provide energetic hamsters with the opportunity to run around and explore their home. However, the 20-30 minutes recommended for daily hamster ball use is simply not enough to properly expel their extra energy and ensure their health. Hamsters need ample opportunity to get exercise on their own time, while inside their cage. If you’ve made sure that every playtime item is fit to your hamster’s needs and is accessible to them, but they still aren’t getting into the hang of things, it may be time to take a trip to the vet. Illness, stress and old age can diminish a hamster’s ability to be active. Make sure that they have a clean bill of health before you write your hamster off as “lazy.” Can a Hamster Exercise Too Much?

It's a great way to provide exercise for your little critter but it also emulates their natural behavior in the wild. Hamsters will walk several miles in search of food. To clean, simply take apart a ball and leave it to soak in warm water with soap or disinfectant. Then rinse thoroughly to remove any cleaning product and make sure to dry fully before it’s next use. Are hamster balls dangerous? If your hamster seems especially spirited and enthusiastic about their time in their hamster ball, that’s great! They may be able to remain in their ball for an additional ten or fifteen minutes, especially if your hamster is exceptionally active. However, never let even the most active of hamsters stay in their ball for any longer than 45 minutes or so. They need food, drink and rest, too! The Case Against Hamster Balls Obvious weight gain is one symptom of too much inactivity. Listlessness and agitation are two behaviors often seen in bored and under-stimulated hamsters. If your hamster is experiencing these things, it may be time to change up the way that you have their playtime items arranged in their cage. You may also need to consider choosing a different type of exercise. If the hamster ball doesn’t seem to enthuse them, consider a hamster playpen instead. If they aren’t using their hamster wheel, consider that it may be too small for them to use comfortably – or too big for a dwarf hamster to use. The clever design of this running disc makes it one of the best activity toys around for small pets. In their natural habitat, hamsters would cover a lot of ground just looking for food, so running is second nature to them. This wheel allows them to run to their heart’s content inside their cage.A wheel is a really valuable bit of cage furniture as they do enjoy running in them,” says Argrave. “But it's really important that the wheel is big enough – most wheels sold for hamsters are too small and can be harmful. Your hamster's spine should be straight when they're on their wheel. If it's curved then the wheel is too small and too much time in it could cause the hamster pain.” The little inquisitive animals may be able to roll around to various corners of a room but they're prevented from sniffing, touching and generally interacting with the new area. That goes against their natural instincts and could cause frustration and stress. Many hamster owners have become concerned with how much their pets like to exercise. Sometimes, a hamster never seems to want to get off of its wheel! While hamsters can exercise quite a bit without any safety concerns, excessive exercise can lead to sores and blisters on their paws. This is especially common in hamsters that are only given a hamster wheel to use. Hamster balls also offer a fun way to interact with your furry friend and can also be used as a convenient space for them to be housed while you clean their cage. How To Use A Hamster Ball

Watching your hamster as he or she scurries around the room in their specially-designated hamster ball is a blast. But how long can they stay in that little ball for? When does playtime become excessive and the hamster needs to return to their cage?You should also never force a hamster to roll in their ball or get in if they seem agitated, nervous or sleepy! Sometimes they just don’t want to exercise! Avoid sun Digging opportunities: Hamsters love to dig so look to provide a deep layer of sawdust at the bottom of their cage. Providing potting compost is a great option too and you can always consider a digging tower. Another important consideration is the material from which a toy is made. Plastic may be easy to clean but can be a worry if your pet gnaws it. Wood, on the other hand, is eco-friendly and non-toxic, making it a better choice all-round. It tends to be fairly durable, but if your hamster is on a mission, it could gnaw through a toy in no time. Then there’s fabric. Cute hideaways can often be made of cozy fleece, but while your hamster may love snuggling up in them, you may not love the extra washing they create! It’s integral that you make sure any lids are doors are twisted tightly shut to ensure there’s no way of your hamster falling out at high speeds. If the ball is not secure, your pet could potentially injure themselves Supervise