Hamsters are very active and inquisitive pets, so they don’t have enough space of a single cage for a full life. In order for the dzungarik not to gain excess weight, be active and not be bored, he needs various toys.
Before you go to the pet store for them, it is worth planning out the interior of the hamster cage. All toys must fit inside, while maintaining free space. Around the clock the hamster will not run and jump - he needs time and free space for food, rest and sleep. In addition, it is necessary to think about what exactly you need to buy a rodent.
Walking area for hamster
It is often impossible to secure the dzungarika while walking around the house. But you can use the walking ball for the hamster. This toy is a sphere made of transparent or colored plastic, in which the pet can explore the house. The most important thing during such a walk is to close the lid tightly, since rodents often escape from them.
There is another way to walk a hamster - with the help of a special leash. However, there are some nuances in its use: they only wear it on large rodents, since it is too big for the dzungarik. Between the leash and the body of fluffy should be a little finger. If the leash is too tight, the hamster will choke and squeak, and if it is too loose, it will simply run away.
The average travel time in a ball is no more than 20 minutes. You can not wake a pet and try to cram it into a toy - this may adversely affect its health and well-being. The optimal time to put the animal in a hamster ball is the peak of its daily activity, when it is eager to run, jump and explore the world around it. Dzungariki do not always begin to travel the first time in a toy - often they need several attempts in order to get comfortable.
The hamster ball has special slots for air exchange. Getting such toy, it is worth paying attention to its diameter. They are divided into three categories: for small rodents (approximately 12 cm), for Syrian hamsters (18-20 cm) and for chinchillas (25-30 cm). Complete with them often sell special stands designed to run on the spot.
Pleasure balls provide the hamster with the necessary level of load, but this does not mean that other toys should be neglected. This area is useful if there are cats living together with a rodent in the house - he can walk in it without fear of being eaten. Periodically, the toy must be washed.
How to choose a walking ball for a hamster
Pet shops provide a wide range of rodent walking areas. When choosing such a toy it is necessary to pay attention to several basic parameters in order not to be mistaken and to choose the best option.
The main parameter of both the pleasure ball and the wheel for any rodent is the diameter. In the case of Djungarian hamsters, it is desirable to choose a toy about 13-15 cm in size: it is most convenient for a pet. Often you can find in the shops of the sphere with a diameter of 18-20 cm - they are used mainly for "Syrians". For small sized fluffs, it will be too difficult to move the dimensional walking ball for the hamster, so you need to pick it up according to the size of the pet.
The disadvantages of walking balls
When purchasing or making a ball for a hamster with your own hands, it is necessary to check it for the presence of ventilation holes. If they are too few or not at all, then you should not buy the product. The minus of the toys is that after each walk you will have to clean the apartment. As already mentioned, the maximum time for a hamster's amusements in a ball should be no more than half an hour. Another unpleasant disadvantage is the rapid wear of the lid attachment caps, into which the pet is launched, which can lead to its arbitrary opening and escape of a small deserter. If there is such a defect in the ball, then it is necessary to closely monitor the rodent.
What is the ball for?
Almost all rodents have a wheel, but it cannot fully cope with an excess of energy. The ball for the hamster is not a simple fashion accessory, it is needed so that the hamster can easily embark on a journey through the apartment.
Principle of operation: the hamster is placed inside, closing the door. The animal runs and rolls the ball.
The hamster ball is a transparent or translucent sphere with a round hole so that the rodent can go inside. The round opening is closed by a door of the same shape.
Production material - plastic. With the help of this device, the crumb can not be limited to the expanses of the native cage, but can explore the rooms of your house with interest. For hamsters, a ball is a good way to stroll and not get lost.
Benefits
The ball for the hamster allows the baby to move safely around the apartment - the rodent will not fall anywhere, will not fail, will not get hurt, and besides, it will not damage the apartment. After all, if you let the baby "in free swimming", he can gnaw the wires, things, safely hide and cause other inconveniences.
Not every hamster knows how to teach a hamster to run in a ball, but if you do this, the kid will be able to expand the boundaries, exploring not only the enclosed areas - the bath, the arena, but your entire home. Many hamsters like to walk in a ball, but for security reasons, do not leave the crumbs in it for a long time. All households should know about walks in order not to accidentally step.
The main advantage is that the pet will be able to visit all areas of the apartment without harming property.
An important question is the cost. This product is commercially available and is inexpensive. Of course, for a ruble you will not find a ball for a Dzungarian hamster, but for 150-200 rubles, completely!
Important: balls for walking are presented in a large assortment, but you need to choose the one with the most air holes.
How to choose the right accessory?
The size of the ball for hamsters depends on the breed of the rodent: the Syrian hamster needs to get a bigger accessory, the dzhungariku - a smaller one. You can order a ball for hamsters of different sizes, standard diameters:
- 13 cm - a compact walking ball for a dzungarik,
- 18 cm - universal option,
- 29 and 33 cm - large models, such a ball for the Syrian hamster fits perfectly.
Consider the size of the pet: if the animal is large, and you get too small a ball for it, the hamster will run with a curved back. But you shouldn't go to extremes either, in a too loose accessory, the crumbs will be thrown to the sides, this will negatively affect his well-being.
On sale are walking balls for hamsters of different models. Most of the market is occupied by goods in the form of a hollow sphere, which moves freely in any direction; it is set by the animal. But you can find a model with a track that sets the path of motion. This is convenient, because the crumb will move along a certain route, and is in the field of view of its owner. Such a walk is the best option that solves the problem of activity of the animal, and since it is inexpensive, it is suitable for the owners.
How much does a walking ball for hamsters cost depends on the model - give preference to the most transparent accessory with good ventilation so that the air passes freely. Color solution is at your discretion. Many buy transparent, so that the traveler saw something on his way. Such care pleasantly surprises, but one should not forget that hamsters “see the mustache” best of all, their sense of smell works best for them. It is not necessary to buy an accessory, if you at least know how to make a little bit - you can make a walking ball for a hamster with your own hands.
How to teach your kid to active walks?
That the kid loved traveling, you need to teach him to the pleasure ball. Do this gradually, leaving the goma inside for a few minutes, gradually increasing the duration of the procedure. Watch your pet, “training” should really like him, otherwise there is no point in exposing the animal to unnecessary stress.
You can be interested in a hamster, putting a favorite snack in the ball - a piece of apple or fruit. The rodent will crawl inside for a snack. Then you need to rotate gently to show your pet how this “miracle device” works. Creek, noise, sudden movements in this case are contraindicated - this will complicate the process of training. Such manipulations must be repeated until the crumb understands the principle of the accessory.
Important: if the children organized the animal to walk, make sure that they took the animal out of the ball in time.
- Close the door tightly so that the crumb does not run away.
- Hamster balls should roll only on the floor. Do not roll on high surfaces, for example, on the table, window sill - a pet may fall.
- Before you let your pet out for a walk, once again take care of safety: restrict access to stairs and other surfaces that the accessory can slide down.
- Take away other animals: cats and dogs walking nearby may frighten a baby, and those interested in a “new toy” kick it, roll it in different directions.
- You do not need to kick the balls for hamsters, hamsters must activate them on their own.
- Only one hamster can walk in one ball at a time.
If you act according to the rules, both you and the crumbs will enjoy such walks. Remember that the main thing is safety. It is not worth the risk of leaving a cat and a hamster in one room, referring to the fact that the ball will save the baby from danger. Syrian and Dzungar breeds quickly master the “travels” in such an accessory, and this is thanks to the masters - familiarity with the ball happened correctly, safety was ensured.
What is a ball
The accessory is used outside the cage where the pet is kept. This device allows a small animal to freely walk around the apartment or house. You can not worry that the hamster will climb under the closet or sofa, because the size of the ball will not allow this.
For a pet such walks will be interesting, and you can constantly watch him.
Let's start with the benefits.
- Firstly, this means of transportation will allow the hamster to move freely around the apartment or house, which has a positive effect on the health and mood of the rodent.
- Secondly, the hamster will not be able to escape and hide in a remote place, as well as chew everything in its path.
- Thirdly, if you still have a cat, you can not worry about the life of a rodent - the cat will not get the hamster out of the ball.
- Fourthly, running in a ball is not as easy as in a wheel. Therefore, the animal needs less time to get tired. A tired hamster will be quieter at night and will allow you to sleep.
- Fifth, the ball is easily assembled and disassembled, as well as washes well, so keep this accessory clean is not difficult.
Now consider the shortcomings.
- When buying a walking ball, pay attention to the presence of holes for ventilation. If there are none or very few, do not buy such an accessory. Air must circulate freely in a balloon.
- It should be borne in mind that the hamster copes with its physiological needs during the walk, and the waste of its vital activity rolls with it and falls through the holes. Therefore, after walking the hamster in the ball will need to be removed in the apartment. Also, experts do not recommend to leave a rodent in a ball longer than 30 minutes. For walking the animal half an hour will be enough.
- With long-term use of the ball mount cap can wear out, because of what the cap will open freely at any time, and the hamster will be able to escape and escape. If such a nuisance has happened to your walking ball, then do not leave your pet in it for a long time unattended or seal the cover before walking with tape or tape.
Virtues
One of the advantages of the product is safety. Ball for the hamster protects the animal from injury, wounds, falls. A rodent will not be lost in a spacious dwelling and will not be able to get into narrow, inaccessible places for the owner. Such a walk is also safe for an apartment. The hamster does not gnaw through wires and things, does not carry small objects into a corner.
Expanding outlook is also a plus area for walking. Hamsters are curious, nimble creatures who strive to explore the most hidden places of the cage and apartment. The circle for a hamster makes it possible to consider the territory of interest to animals without additional threats. It is necessary to warn everyone who is in the apartment about the walk of the pet in order not to accidentally crush the device.
Control the ball more difficult than the wheel, so the animal after a walk will fall asleep faster. At night, he will deliver less hassle, make less sounds and show less activity.
A hamster in a walking ball is able to explore the entire apartment without inconveniencing the owner. General housing is a very interesting object for a hamster. Do not deprive the animal of the opportunity to walk outside their house.
Before buying an accessory, pay attention to the number of vents. Choose the circle with the most holes so your pet can breathe freely.
Choice of toys for a hamster
Translation: Evgenia Savchenko and Olga Volozhina
Hamsters, both dwarf and Syrians, are active creatures and need a variety of toys and other items to provide opportunities for physical development, exploration and play. Besides the fact that they spend time outside the cage, exploring the environment safe for the hamster, there are many things you can put in the cage to ensure the exercises during the game.
Wheels and Pleasure Balls.
Most hamsters use a lot of wheels, and your hamster's cage should be equipped with a wheel if possible. It is important to make sure that the wheel has the proper size of 18-22 cm and try to pick up a wheel with a continuous running surface, which reduces the risk of damage. Pleasure balls are transparent plastic balls (several styles are available) in which you place your hamster and allow them to walk on the floor without worrying that he will run away from you. Both wheels and balls are great ways to make sure your hamster gets enough exercise, and most of the tips for choosing wheels or balls can be found in Hamster Wheels and Run-Abouts.
Hamsters, like all rodents, need the constant availability of objects and toys that they can nibble in order to keep their ever-growing teeth in good condition. Chewable wooden pet toys are the perfect choice. Wooden objects should be safe (avoid cedar or other evergreen type wood), free of pesticides and chemicals. If you are not sure about the safety of the type of wood, it is best to follow the use of items made specifically for use by pets. The branches of fruit trees without pesticides from your garden or board that are not chemically processed are well suited for your hamster. Willow and hay balls, rings and tunnels sold for rabbits, and smaller sizes can also be used for hamsters. In addition to chewing wood, you can also use cardboard for chewing (and for hiding). It’s ideal to choose cardboard with a small amount of ink as much as possible, as there was a concern about the content of commercial ink in cardboard (I cannot find any definite evidence about the safety or non-safety of colored cardboard, and I used colored cardboard for my mice, so do not panic if you are using colored cardboard). Hamsters also love cardboard tubes of paper towels and toilet rolls, although some people are also not sure about the adhesives used in them. Many hamsters regularly chew these items without problems, but if you are worried, then there are now commercial pipes that are a little stronger and are said to be safe to chew.
Ladders and houses.
There is also a variety of ladders and houses designed for hamsters and other small rodents. Wooden stairs and bars are great for hamsters. If you cannot find wooden stairs in the hamsters section of your pet store, check out the bird section. Any of these wooden objects should also be chewable, as this is natural for hamsters, and you should be ready to replace them as needed. You can also use wood and make stingrays and various structures for climbing. Coconuts can also be used to create huts and buildings. Organic ropes (hemp, sisal, cotton) can also be used to build hanging toys, walkways and bridges in a hamster cage. Особое внимание требуется уделить висящим игрушкам, веревки используют более толстые, чтобы быть в абсолютной уверенности, что ваш хомяк (голова, тело, ноги или ногти на пальце ноги) не запутается в них или использовать их только под Вашим наблюдением.
Осторожность необходима при использовании пластмассы. Большинство хомяков любит пластмассовые туннели и трубы и другие игровые структуры, но жевание может быть проблемой. Some plastic toys will be destroyed very quickly, and if your hamster swallows plastic parts after chewing, this is a serious concern. When you offer plastic items, watch them, and if your hamster is chewing too much, it’s better to remove the item.
You can provide a volcanic dust tank for chinchillas or sand in which your hamster can ride to keep his coat in good condition. In addition, most hamsters love to dig, so a deep box of sand or sterilized soil is big enough for a hamster to hide in it - great fun for hamsters.
Mineral Blocks, Pumice
They can be offered, although they are not necessary. If your hamsters really nibble them, it can help keep their teeth in good condition, but many hamsters do not use them.
