Running Hamster

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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? The good news is that you can confine them to an entire room - as long as you closely supervise them there. If your hamster doesn’t get enough time outside of its cage (under supervision, of course) they could become a bit stir-crazy and grow “addicted” to their hamster wheel. Get them out of their cage often with a hamster ball or hamster playpen to ensure that they are properly stimulated while remaining safe. minutes, even once a day, doesn’t seem like very much. If your hamster is especially active or you’re trying to help them shed some excess chubbiness, you may feel compelled to introduce other methods of exercise that they can do on their own. A cage doesn’t provide a whole lot of opportunity for exercise, but there are things that you can do – aside from using a hamster ball – to get your fluffy companion active. 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.

At approximately 14cm in diameter and designed with a range of small pets in mind, this toy is quite large for a little hamster, but it will no doubt have fun pushing and moving it around its cage, or your floor when it’s playtime. This will provide the hamster with lots of exercise and contribute to its physical well-being as well as helping to prevent boredom and stress. Keep the hamster ball clean by washing it with warm water and plain soap between each use. Make sure that the toy is dry before it is used again.Consider purchasing these toys for your hamster. Their cage should have adequate space to accommodate at least one of these additions. A Hamster Wheel 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 A common misconception about hamster balls is that they can be used for long periods of time. Although hamsters have high energy, leaving them in a ball for longer than 30 minutes is cruel as they can become overtired and stressed very easily. A practical yet suitably adorable addition to any hamster cage, the Trixie Large Wooden Digging Tower satisfies your little critter's need to dig while you can watch them.

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. As it is made from wood, expect your hamster to enjoy chewing on the walls as much as diving in the contents, but it's reasonably high quality so should last a good while. Best hamster toys: FAQs How to choose the best hamster toy The ninja of hamster wheels, this beauty is so silent that you’ll be none the wiser when your furry friend is furiously working up a sweat. Designed with dual ball bearings to make it ultra-quiet, your hamster can happily run through the night while you get the beauty sleep you need. Hamster chew toys: Like most small animals, hamsters love to use their teeth so it's important to nurture their natural instincts.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. There are concerns that a hamster ball may actually cause stress to a hamster due to their eyesight being poor. You may instead wish to look to look for a larger cage or an exercise pen to allow them to explore their environment on their own terms. Hamster balls: A hamster ball is an exercise device that allows your furry friend to roll around the floor. It's often seen as a common toy for a hamster but it's not always regarded as the best choice by pet charities. Hamster balls are a fun and entertaining way for your pet to exercise but without proper supervision, they can be dangerous. Don't keep your hamster in the ball for more than 20 minutes at a time. Though some hamsters may enjoy their ball, it is best to limit the amount of time that they spend in it. Just like us, our furry companions can become fatigued from over-exertion.

When using a playpen for your hamster’s recreational time, it is best to do so when you can give them your uninterrupted supervision. Hamsters are sneaky little creatures and may try to escape, even when under your watchful eye. Are There Wrong Ways to Exercise a Hamster? The ball is made from natural willow and is pesticide free, with low levels of salicin, making it a safe and irresistible choice for small pets to nibble, gnaw and chew. Gnawing and chewing make up quite a good portion of your pet’s day, and without a safe, hard material to gnaw on, they can develop dental problems. It’s a much better (and cheaper) option to provide your hamster with a material that will keep its teeth healthy, plus there are other benefits too. If the hamster doesn’t seem interested in going into the ball, do not force it. This can stress out your pet. Last but not least, it’s important not to crowd your pet’s cage with too many toys or enormous gym kits if your hamster lives in a compact property. And of course, budget plays a role too. It may be tempting to splash out on something luxurious, but bear in mind you’ll probably have to replace toys sooner rather than later. Types of hamster toys

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 Hamster wheel: Possibly the most common type of hamster toy out there, the hamster wheel is a classic addition to your hamster cage. 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.

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. Some hamster advocates think that you should never place a hamster inside a hamster ball. They feel that the ball puts a barrier between the hamster and its surroundings. Colour isn’t just an aesthetic when it comes to hamster balls, and some designs are far better for your pet’s health than others. Dark colours naturally absorb more heat, which means when used to decorate a ball they could potentially expose your hamster to overheating. Dark colours also make it more difficult to observe your pets welfare in the ball and so it really is best to go with light-coloured and transparent options. Ventilation 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

Can a Hamster Exercise Too Much?

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? Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey (Sark, Alderney and Herm are an additional 1 days delivery from Guernsey) 48 Hour Dispatch Service