Running Hamster

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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.

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 Aside from dehydration and fatigue, there are other valid reasons to keep your hamster’s time in their ball limited. They could become hungry in this time or even dirty up their hamster ball with droppings or urine if left confined in the ball for too long.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 A prolonged period of physical exertion with no food or water can really tire out a little critter. Hamsters can get to the point of dehydration if left in the confines of a ball for too long. 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.

Some hamster owners think that they can just let their hamster roam throughout their house or apartment without any kind of supervision or special care being taken. The hamster ball is considered a “safe spot” for the hamster to exist in, but there are risks associated with the unwise use of this toy. The worst thing that you can do is to allow your hamster to freely roam your home without so much as a hamster ball. Some well-intentioned hamster owners think that this will make their pet happier and provide them with a feeling of freedom. While this may be true, it also poses a serious risk of harm to an animal of a hamster’s size. The jury is out on hamster balls. While some think they're a terrible idea, other owners say that their hamsters love them. Use your own judgment and most importantly, pay close attention to your hamster to see if he or she enjoys the ball experience.

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. 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?

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.”When buying a chew toy for your hamster, the most important consideration is that it's made with non-toxic materials. Wood can be a great choice but ensure it's pesticide and chemical free. 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? As it goes with nearly every living creature, hamsters need to get their daily exercise. This prevents destructive boredom behaviors, keeps them healthy and helps to keep their weight at an appropriate number. Most hamsters will get as much physical activity as they want when they have access to the toys to do so, even in their cages. But sometimes, it can be easy to become worried that your hamster isn’t being as active as they should be. 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. 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.

Hamsters should be supervised by an adult at all times when in an exercise ball to make sure they are happy and are staying active and alert. This is important especially if there are small children or other pets in the house, as non-gentle handling of the ball cold harm the hamster inside. Limit roll time For a great budget option, simple cardboard tubes provide a way for your hamster to both hide and chew. Cardboard rolls from paper towels or toilet paper are common household items that can be popped into your hamster's home. Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey (Sark, Alderney and Herm are an additional 1 days delivery from Guernsey) 48 Hour Dispatch ServiceConsider purchasing these toys for your hamster. Their cage should have adequate space to accommodate at least one of these additions. A Hamster Wheel This might seem like a lot to keep in mind but remember that hamsters are delicate creatures. Their safety is important and can be ensured with the advice outlined above. Other Ways to Exercise Your Hamster Hamster chew toys: Like most small animals, hamsters love to use their teeth so it's important to nurture their natural instincts. 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.