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

Hamster chew toys: Like most small animals, hamsters love to use their teeth so it's important to nurture their natural instincts. 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. 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. 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. Scottish Highlands Postcodes (IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-49, PA60-78, PH17-26, PH30-n 44, PH49-50, ZE ) 48 Hour Dispatch

Are There Wrong Ways to Exercise a Hamster?

Read more in our guide: How to hamster-proof a roomin 10 easy steps. How Can I Tell When My Hamster Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise? 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.

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 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.

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. Often made from wood, this is a specific area for a hamster to exercise their love of burrowing. You fill it with sawdust and there's usually a hole at the top for your critter to jump in and enjoy. Key considerations here are safety. Hamsters do have poor eyesight so ladders with large gaps may present a hazard. A good option are large tunnels that imitate their natural environment in the wild and you may opt for bendy bridges instead. If the hamster doesn’t seem interested in going into the ball, do not force it. This can stress out your pet. 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

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. Hamster balls are a fun and entertaining way for your pet to exercise but without proper supervision, they can be dangerous. This simple but pleasing ball is one of the best-looking small pet toys and a clever addition to any hamster environment. A bonus is that pet owners will appreciate its carefully crafted, natural appearance that will look good in any hamster home. If you’re an eco-conscious pet owner, you’ll appreciate the toy’s natural construction, and as it’s compostable, there will be no waste when your pet has finished with it. Hamster wheel: Possibly the most common type of hamster toy out there, the hamster wheel is a classic addition to your hamster cage. 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.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 Hamsters have poor vision and rely on their other senses to get a feeling for their environment which means they are unlikely to avoid banging into objects when in their ball. They are also unlikely to be able to avoid dangers such as stairs or heights. Therefore to reduce stress and dangerous situations, it’s important to keep constant supervision or create a safe, penned off area for them to play. 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. 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.