Hamsters are very active and inquisitive pets, so for a full life they do not have enough space of one cage. In order for the jungler not to gain excess weight, he was active and not bored, he needed various toys.
Before heading to the pet store for them, it’s worth planning the interior of the hamster’s cage. All toys must fit inside, while maintaining free space. A hamster will not run and jump around the clock - he needs time and free space for food, rest and sleep. In addition, it is worth considering what exactly you need to buy a rodent.
Walking sphere for a hamster
It is often impossible to secure the dzhungarik while walking around the house. But you can use a walking ball for a hamster. Such a 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, as rodents often escape from them.
There is another way to walk a hamster - using a special leash. However, its use has its own nuances: they put it on only large rodents, since it is too big for the dzungariki. A little finger should pass between the leash and the little body of the fluff. If the leash is too tight, the hamster will suffocate 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. The pet should not be woken up and trying to cram it into a toy - this can adversely affect its health and well-being. The best time to put the animal in the ball for the hamster is the peak of its daily activity, when it is burning with the desire to run, jump and explore the world around it. Dzhungariki do not always start traveling the first time in a toy - often they need several attempts in order to get comfortable.
The ball for the hamster has special slots designed for air exchange. When purchasing such a 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, they often sell special coasters designed for running on the spot.
Walking balls provide the hamster with the necessary level of load, but this does not mean that you need to neglect other toys. Such a sphere will come in handy if cats live in the house together with the rodent - he will be able to walk in it without fear of being eaten. The toy must be washed periodically.
How to choose a walking ball for a hamster
Pet shops provide a wide range of rodent walking areas. When choosing such a toy, you need to pay attention to several basic parameters so as not to make a mistake and choose the best option.
Diameter
The main parameter of both the walking ball and the wheel for any rodent is the diameter. In the case of the Dzungarian hamsters, it is advisable to choose a toy about 13-15 cm in size: it is most convenient for the pet. Often you can find in stores spheres with a diameter of 18-20 cm - they are used mainly for "Syrians". For small fluffies, moving the overall walking ball for the hamster will be too difficult, so you need to select it according to the size of the pet.
Ventilation
An important parameter to pay attention to. The ball for the hamster must have ventilation holes. The safety of the pet should be in the first place, and with high activity he will need constant access to fresh air.
It’s not worth buying or making a walking ball for a hamster with your own hands without such holes.
Color
A lot depends on the color of the ball: the more transparent the material from which it is made, the easier it will be for the rodent to navigate in the surrounding space.
The darkened walls of the toy will interfere not only with the hamster, but also with its owner. In addition, in a transparent ball, you can make beautiful photos of your pet.
Cost
Depending on certain parameters, the price of such toys may vary. The cost is greatly influenced by the manufacturer’s brand, pet store, region of residence and equipment - many are sold together with coasters.
On average, a ball for a hamster costs from 100 to 500 rubles. You can pick up any model that suits the rodent and suits the owner for the price.
Disadvantages of Walking Balls
When purchasing or making a ball for a hamster with your own hands, it is necessary to check it for any ventilation holes. If there are too few or none at all, then you should not buy the product. The minus of the toy can be called the fact that after each walk you will have to clean the apartment. As already mentioned, the maximum time for a hamster to be entertained in a ball should be no more than half an hour. Another unpleasant minus is the rapid wear of the fasteners of the lid of the hole into which the pet is launched, which can lead to its arbitrary opening and the escape of a small deserter. If the ball has such a defect, then it is necessary to closely monitor the rodent.
How to make a ball for a hamster with your own hands
The toy can not only be purchased at the pet store, but also made independently. It is not always possible to buy a suitable option, since the proposed balls may not meet the requirements of the owner. In addition, in remote small cities there may not be a pet store at all, and accordingly, it will not be possible to purchase a toy. In this case, you can diversify the life of the pet yourself by making a walking sphere.
There is not so much information on how to make a ball for a hamster today as we would like. Ideal materials are plastics in different colors. Of course, it is optimal to use colorless plastic - this way it will be more convenient for a hamster to navigate in space, but you can also create an original ball of an unusual color. In addition, you can do decoration and decorate its surface with patterns and drawings. As a material, you can use an ordinary plastic bottle, gently cutting it and straightening it.
For a homemade walking ball, you can take a small plastic bottle - for example, a liter milk container: it is light in weight and small in size. Holes for ventilation are cut through it, after which the hamster starts inside and the cover is screwed. The most important requirement is that the neck of the bottle should be wide so that the pet can crawl into it. Such homemade walking balls have their own advantages: saving financial resources, lightness and ease of execution. The toy will provide the mental development of the hamster, as he will need to learn how to manage such an unusual means of transportation.