If you have ever wondered whether a hamster ball is safe for your hamster, you’re not alone. The question has been a popular one among pet owners for years, and is a natural one to ask, given the inherent danger of hamster balls. However, there are some things that you should know before you purchase a hamster ball, as well as ways to keep hamsters safe from them.
Buying a hamster ball
Before you buy your hamster a ball, it is important to ensure that it is made of a material that is safe for your hamster. Plastics are generally not a good choice, as hamsters tend to chew on them. You should also look for one that doesn’t contain BPA, a substance that is harmful to hamsters.
Another disadvantage of hamster balls is that they don’t have enough ventilation holes to ensure proper air flow. This can lead to overheating and dehydration. If your hamster cannot get enough ventilation from the ball, it could suffer from suffocation and fainting. It is also important to make sure that you supervise your hamster when playing in a hamster ball.
Before buying a hamster ball, make sure that you check the size and shape of the ball carefully. Make sure that the ball latch is tightly locked, and that the hatch lid is secure. Hamsters are known escape artists, and they often find themselves in inaccessible places. As such, you need to choose a ball that will be large enough to comfortably fit your hamster.
Hamster balls also have a small amount of ventilation, which means that your hamster will have to pee and defecate inside of them. This can cause bacterial infections and ammonia burns. This is why you should check your hamster’s ball regularly for bacteria.
Hazards of hamster balls
Hamster balls can pose a number of dangers to hamsters. For one, hamsters have very poor eyesight, and their eyesight is especially poor when they are trapped in a ball. As such, hamsters rely heavily on their nose, scent, and hearing to navigate. Without a ball, hamsters may run into furniture, walls, or other obstacles and risk injury. Also, hamster balls are not always easy to stop and reposition if a hamster gets stuck in one.
Another danger is that hamster balls are difficult to ventilate, and hamsters can overheat and become dehydrated if they don’t have access to fresh air. In addition, hamsters will urinate and defecate inside their hamster balls, which can cause toxic fumes. These fumes can be harmful to hamsters and lead to bacterial and ammonia burns.
The risks of hamster balls are significant enough to warrant avoiding them altogether. They can lead to dehydration and hypothermia, which are both life-threatening conditions for hamsters. Therefore, hamster balls are not recommended for use by animal welfare groups. Additionally, hamster balls should only be used on lower levels of the house. They should also be out of reach of children and not dropped or thrown.
Hamster balls have many other risks. Because hamsters can’t stop in a ball, they can roll or bump into walls or furniture. They can even fall down stairs and sustain invisible injuries. Additionally, hamsters can get their feet stuck in the holes in hamster balls and break them.
