Walking ball for a hamster: how to make it yourself

DIY walking ball for a hamster

Hamsters are by nature very active animals. In the wild, they run 10-12 kilometers during the day. Therefore, at home you should try not to limit their activity, especially since active movements have a positive effect on their health. Even if there is a wheel in the cage, the hamster gets bored running around only in it. To restore interest in movement, caring owners buy or make a walking ball for their hamster with their own hands.

Some disadvantages

When buying a ball, make sure that it has holes for ventilation. If there are none or few, you shouldn’t buy one. Fresh air must flow freely. After all, while running in a ball, the hamster also does its physiological business along the way, and its excrement rolls around with it, falling out through the air holes. After such walks, you have to clean up the apartment a little.

In addition, you should not leave your hamster on a walk for more than 30 minutes. I ran a little and that was enough.

Another point - with prolonged use, the fastening of the hole cover may wear out, then it can open at any time and the hamster is free to run.

Read how to catch an escaped hamster...

Do not leave it unattended for a long time if there is such a defect.

Why does a hamster need a walking ball?

First of all, a walking ball is necessary for the hamster to lead a full active life and not experience a lack of movement. It allows you to leave the cage and expand the habitable space for the hamster. This will diversify his life and have a beneficial effect on his health.

Inside the ball, the pet will be able to explore the apartment on its own, moving its vehicle with its strong legs in any direction. The rodent will not be able to hide somewhere under the bed or behind a closet; it will always be in plain sight. But you should not leave the hamster unattended during these 15-20 minutes while he is inside. This is how long experts advise a hamster to stay in the area at home. Situations are dangerous when there are other four-legged animals at home. They will definitely want to play with the ball and may injure the hamster inside. The likelihood of injury is high if the hamster is on the second floor of the house. If the sphere rolls down the stairs, it can break, injuring the rodent with fragments. In such cases, it is better to limit the area of movement.

Teaching a hamster to use a ball

It won’t be enough to simply stuff the animal into a ball and place it on the floor; with this approach, you will most likely watch the animal trying to get out of the ball, rather than calmly walking around the apartment. The next time, little will change; the animal will be scared by the mere sight of this sphere. How then to accustom a hamster to a walking ball?

The most important rule is do not force the animal to do what you want. If it is sleeping, eating or just sitting, you should not run up and put it in the ball. The best time to present your handicraft is when the animal is active and in a playful mood. Usually in hamsters this condition can be observed early in the morning or late in the evening, although this moment is very individual.

Let the animal get acquainted with the toy

First, let the animal sniff and touch the ball, so they will understand that this thing is not dangerous and can be approached without fear. Then, if the hamster begins to like the toy, he will try to climb inside. The main thing here is not to interfere with the acquaintance process; the animal needs to understand that this thing can be used as a wheel, but it moves in space. Don’t rush to lock the animal inside; it will immediately become wary and try to escape. He most likely won’t go for a walk the first time you meet him, don’t rush things.

It is not difficult to control an ordinary ball, but a homemade sphere may have a couple of corners; choose a place where the hamster can at least somehow run away.

At first, it is better for the hamster not to walk unattended; monitor his behavior and the state of the sphere during a walk; if the hamster squeaks, it is better to take him out of the sphere and put him in a comfortable place. Some prefer the cage, others the hands of the owner. If a toy causes stress, the hamster will not use it.

It is not recommended to drag out the walk, usually half an hour is enough, no more is necessary, since the animal may become overtired out of habit, especially for children and old animals.

A ball in a hamster’s life is a rather important thing; it will help him explore the world outside the cage and at the same time remain intact, which greatly saves the owner’s nerves, but it is important to first accustom the animal to the toy, and then leave it for an independent walk.

Disadvantages of purchased hamster wheels

There are a wide variety of walking balls for hamsters on sale. They can be of any colors and sizes. It is necessary to select a walking ball in accordance with the size of the hamster. For dzhungariks, its diameter should not be too large, otherwise he simply will not have enough strength to move it. For Syrians, too small a space inside will not allow them to move their paws freely. In both the first and second cases, the hamsters will quickly get tired. If you decide to make a walking ball with your own hands, then you need to take into account all the disadvantages by building the optimal and safe accessory for your pet.

In purchased walking balls, the fastening of the lid weakens over time, and the lower the quality of the product, the more often you need to monitor this. After all, if a hamster falls out of the sphere while walking, it risks falling into the paws of a cat or dog, and household members may also step on it.

Like any product, a walking ball costs money. The price depends on the quality of the material and size. On average, the cost varies from 300 to 2 thousand rubles. You can save money if you make it yourself from scrap materials. This craft will not take much time and will diversify your leisure time.

How to make a walking ball?

For various reasons, hamster breeders are unable to purchase a special walking ball from a pet store. For example, a suitable accessory may not be available, or may not be available at all. You can easily make a suitable temporary replacement yourself.

The material can be anything, it is important that the basic conditions are met:

Transparent walls;
suitable in size;
reliable fixation of the lid;
the presence of ventilation holes.

The most suitable material is transparent plastic. Through its transparent walls it will be easy for the hamster to navigate in space. In addition, you can quickly and easily make a hamster ball from it yourself.

Plastic bottle

Plastic bottles are the most affordable item suitable for making a walking ball. The advantage of this material is its lightness and smooth transparent walls. The hamster will be comfortable inside. Make ventilation holes without sharp, ragged edges, otherwise the hamster risks scratching its paws until they bleed. Make all the holes at the bottom of the bottle and at the neck. A large number of ventilation holes will promote favorable air circulation.

Plastic bucket

In a similar way, you can make a walking ball from a plastic grocery bucket. The container should be made of lightweight transparent plastic. After thorough washing, holes are drilled in the lid and bottom of the bucket. They can be made with an awl.

When making a walking capsule with your own hands, you need to pay great attention to the following characteristics:

Size

The ability to choose a container that is suitable in size for a particular animal is one of the advantages of a homemade accessory. Sometimes you should observe the animal in walking capsules of different diameters to understand which one will be more comfortable.

The walking ball should not be too heavy, otherwise it will be difficult for the animal to move it from its place.

The diameter should be large enough so that the hamster does not have to bend his spine. You should focus on the size of the industrial balls: for Dzungarians it will be 12-13 cm in diameter, and for larger Syrians it will be about 18-20 cm, occasionally up to 30 cm.

Ventilation

You cannot put the animal into a plastic container or bottle without holes. Ventilation must be sufficient for free access of oxygen, because the animal will actively move in the toy. If there is a feeling of a greenhouse effect, then the number of holes is not sufficient, or they are too small. Feces can fall freely through the ventilation holes; there is no need to try to avoid this. The walk time is still limited to 20-30 minutes; during such a period, the tiny animal will not do much mischief.

Machining holes and edges

From the outside you need to trim off all protruding excess. The ventilation holes are carefully processed so that there are no protruding pieces of plastic or irregularities.

For a small, curious rodent, home conditions are fraught with many dangers. Free walking of these animals is unacceptable, and space in the cage is very limited. The way out of the situation is to provide protection while walking. If it is not possible to purchase an accessory at a pet store, it is quite possible to make a walking ball yourself. Only it will not be a ball in the full sense of the word, but rather a barrel. But it performs its function no worse.

Do you like to craft? Then take advantage of the useful information and ideas from our articles on how to make a drinking bowl and make a cage with your own hands.

DIY walking ball for a hamster 5 (100%) 2 votes

Hamster walking ball: what is it?

This simple device is used for a small pet when it is walking outside its aquarium or cage. A walking ball for a hamster is an accessory for a pet rodent that will allow it to roam freely around the apartment. There is no need to worry that he will crawl under a closet or some other narrow place in the house and get lost. The hamster ball will allow you to constantly monitor your pet. In addition, you can easily limit your pet’s walking space.

Hamster ball: which ones are on sale?

You can find several types of walking balls in pet stores. How to make the right choice? To do this, you need to focus on what you expect from the purchase. When choosing, remember that the material from which this accessory is made plays an important role. The stronger the material from which the hamster ball is made, the longer it will last you.

When purchasing, you should also pay attention to the color of the accessory: the more transparent it is, the easier it will be for your pet to navigate in space.

Ball without fastenings

An ordinary hamster ball will allow your pet to move freely around the house or apartment in any direction. It should be noted that this accessory is also a guarantee of the safety of your pet, even if, for example, a cat decides to attack it, or you accidentally forget that the animal is under your feet. For owners living in a large area, a hamster ball will be the best option for solving the problem of an animal walking.

Criteria for choosing a ball for a walk

A high-quality and correctly selected walking ball will ensure the comfort and safety of the animal. Let's figure out what criteria you need to pay attention to.

What sizes are there and which one is better to choose?

A ball of the correct size will protect your pet from possible injury. The angle of the pet’s back depends on this, which is important for its health. Hamster balls come in the following diameters:

12-13 cm – model for small rodents, such as dwarfs;
18 cm – suitable for a Syrian hamster;
28-33 cm - a ball for a large rodent, for example a common hamster.

Important! If the ball is chosen correctly, the hamster's back will be almost straight. The diameter of the walking ball should be several centimeters larger than the length of the rodent’s body.

In a small sphere, the spine will bend strongly inward. For a one-time walk this is not critical. Constant use will harm your pet. If the ball is too big for the hamster, the baby will “wiggle” from side to side, which can lead to stress and damage to his limbs.

Is color important?

Rodents see the world around them differently than we do. Their eyes allow them to distinguish only the outlines of objects. In most cases, when moving, they use their sense of smell. Hamsters practically do not distinguish between colors, with the exception of yellow and green.

If possible, you should buy a ball made of colorless transparent plastic. It provides good visibility and does not block the penetration of light. If you can’t find such a model in the pet store, give preference to a yellow or green toy. But the plastic must be transparent so that the hamster does not bump into furniture while running.

Is fastening necessary?

The mount is an additional accessory that allows you to attach the ball to a stand and fix it in one place. This will not allow the hamster to move freely around the house, but will still help fill the need for physical activity, acting like a running wheel.

There is no great need for this accessory, since usually the cages are already equipped with a special wheel. It is relevant if the hamster has taken a fancy to his walking ball, but is reluctant to move around in a wheel installed in a cage.

pros

Purchasing this accessory has a number of obvious advantages. Since you have a pet, you will need to provide him with sufficient physical activity or at least not disturb the animal. Any hamster owner will tell you that these rodents are very active: every day they can spend hours circling the cage or running in a wheel. Rodents by nature need somewhere to spend their energy. This fact determines their behavior. Of course, a running wheel will cope with the task, but in a walking ball the hamster will be able to spend time not only usefully, but also with interest. The pet will explore the territory of the apartment or house without dirtying anything and without the risk of being eaten or injured. In addition, at the end of the walk, the owner will not need to crawl under the sofa in search of his friend.

Advantages and disadvantages of walking balls

Like any other device, a hamster walking ball has its strengths and weaknesses.

The advantages of using such a toy include the following:

the ability to provide the pet with sufficient physical activity;
to enable the animal to safely move around a room or apartment, and for its owner not to lose sight of the pet;
After your pet walks around the apartment, all things will remain intact: the baby will not tear or chew anything.

As for the disadvantages, the toy also has them:

you cannot leave the animal in the ball for more than 20-30 minutes: it may want to eat, begin to suffer from thirst, or overheat inside;
after a walk, you may need to do a little cleaning: the hamster may defecate while in the sphere, and excrement enters the room through the air slots;
If you use one bought at a pet store, then after a while the doors may become loose: one of them may fall out during a walk and the hamster will run away.

The ball makes it possible to keep the animal in the necessary sports shape

Minuses

Now let's talk about the negative aspects. When choosing a walking ball for your pet, it is important not to make a mistake: a high-quality accessory will be equipped with a sufficient number of ventilation holes. If, in your opinion, they are not enough, then we do not recommend purchasing such a product.

In addition, it is important to consider that your pet will relieve itself while moving. This way, all the feces will roll around with the hamster inside the ball, and they will fall out through the ventilation holes onto the floor. There is no need to remind you that after such walks you should clean up the entire apartment. If you don’t have enough strength for this, it is better to limit the area where your pet can walk.

Remember that veterinarians do not recommend leaving rodents in a walking ball for a long time - a thirty-minute walk is enough for them.

Another important fact is that when using the walking ball for a long time, the lid mount may wear out. Consequently, it can spontaneously fall off at any time, including while walking. Therefore, we strongly advise owners to either replace the accessory or not leave their pet unattended for a long time.

How to choose the right accessory

You should choose a ball based on size and breed. For dzhungarik you need a miniature apparatus, for Syrians it is more voluminous. It is possible to produce custom-made accessories according to individual sizes.

Standard sizes of walking balls:

13 cm accessory is suitable for miniature dwarfs;
18 cm walking ball is suitable for medium-sized hamsters;
A 29 or 33 cm sphere is suitable for a Syrian hamster.

Select the ball individually for each pet. The animal may not be able to handle the control of a ball that is too large. He will rush from side to side, which will negatively affect the pet’s health. A circle that is too small can lead to back problems as the animal will hunch over while running.

Pet stores sell various models of walking balls. The classic version is a full sphere that moves freely in any direction. There are models with a track that forces the animal to move in a certain direction. This accessory is convenient because the owner of the animal will know the route of the walk and constantly monitor the hamster.

The color palette of balls is varied. Choose the option at your discretion. You should choose the most transparent accessory with the maximum number of ventilation holes. When traveling around an apartment, hamsters are guided more by smell than by sight. Therefore, there is no need to buy a transparent ball so that your pet can see everything in the smallest detail.

Master class: DIY hamster ball

After buying a hamster, owners, as a rule, strive to arrange its life. Many owners of this pet often wonder how to make a ball for a hamster. We'll talk about this further.

In fact, making a hamster ball with your own hands is not difficult. We offer two ways to make this accessory for your pet. Naturally, if you want, you can purchase a hamster ball at your local pet store. However, you will always have time to buy, so we offer you two ways to make this accessory yourself.

Is it possible to make a ball yourself?

Many hamster owners are wondering how to make a ball for a hamster with their own hands, is it possible? Our answer is yes, this is real, this is what will be discussed further. The most commonly used methods are:

plastic bottle walking ball
ball from a plastic bucket

Making a ball from a bottle

It is worth saying that walking balls for hamsters made from a plastic bottle are the most common and optimal option. The device turns out to be quite light, which will facilitate the smooth movement of the hamster around the house. It is worth saying that in such a design it will be possible to easily make all the necessary holes that will serve as ventilation for the rodent.

To make a ball yourself at home, you will need a plastic bottle, and you should also choose it based on the size of your hamster. Most often, hamster owners prefer milk bottles; it is believed that they are most convenient to use due to their wide neck.

You need to make several holes in the plastic for ventilation, then open the lid and launch the hamster. After this, the lid is carefully screwed on and your pet is ready to make new discoveries.

As you may have already noted, making such a ball for a hamster is more than simple. If we note all the advantages of such a design, they will sound like this:

Easy to make toys
Lightweight for easy movement
The price of the toy is zero, since you do not have to buy any special parts or accessories. When answering the question, how much does a hamster ball cost, what is its price, you can safely answer - not at all, since you made the hamster ball with your own hands.

By making such a vehicle for your rodent, you will not only increase its level of physical fitness, but also have a positive effect on its overall mental development. The fact is that the animal will have to think a lot to understand how to control such a design so that the hamster runs in a ball.

Making a walking ball from a bucket

The next option for making a plastic ball for a hamster is a design based on a regular plastic bucket. Here it is important to immediately identify one nuance - the bucket must certainly be transparent, otherwise the hamster simply will not see anything while inside the ball. For this version of the ball, a transparent bucket with a lid is perfect, in which dairy products, such as cottage cheese, are often sold.

The first thing you need to take care of is cleanliness, you must carefully remove all food residues, after which the surface of the bucket should be thoroughly wiped dry, this can be done with a kitchen towel. The next step, as in the previous case, will be the manufacture of ventilation holes, in no case do not forget that they are necessary.

When all the manipulations are done, feel free to put the hamster inside and close the lid tightly. Now your pet is ready for a fun walk around the house. It is worth saying that this option is suitable not only for hamsters, but also for larger rodents, since the volume of the bucket is quite large. This option will also be an excellent ball option for the Syrian hamster.

In principle, you can use other materials to make a hamster ball, the main thing is that you have the opportunity to provide air access, and the walls of the device are completely transparent.

Hamster ball from a plastic bottle

One of the best options is a plastic bottle. It is quite light, which means your pet will not have problems moving around in it. In addition, ventilation holes can be made in it without any problems.

In order to build a walking accessory for your pet, you will need a small plastic bottle. For example, you can use a transparent milk bottle: it is small in size and quite light. Another plus is the thick neck. This way, your pet can easily climb into it and go for a walk.

Next, you need to cut holes in the bottle for ventilation. Now you can let your pet inside, close the lid and let him run around to his heart's content.

The advantages of such accessories are as follows:

the toy is easy to make and use;
light weight will allow your pet to move easily inside it;
There are no financial costs at all.

Walking ball from a bucket

Another option for making your own walking ball for a hamster is based on an ordinary plastic bucket. For example, mayonnaise, ice cream or any dairy products are often sold in such buckets. Naturally, the base must be transparent, otherwise the rodent will not see where it is running. By the way, even a fairly large animal can easily fit into such a walking ball.

So, take the bucket from which you are going to make a walking accessory and wash it thoroughly. Wipe the inside surface of the container dry. Using an awl, make holes in the lid or bottom of the bucket. Place your pet inside the ball and close the lid tightly. Now the animal can go for a walk!

For such purposes, you can use almost any container. It is important that it is not heavy so that your pet can move around calmly. In addition, it should be transparent, otherwise the hamster will not see where it is running, and, of course, the material should not be too thick, otherwise you will not be able to make holes in it.

How to make a ball for a pet hamster: useful tips and methods

Hamsters are pets, but they are cramped in a cage all the time. Physical activity is very important for them. Therefore, it is necessary to let it out for a walk, and to prevent the animal from getting lost, a walking ball for a hamster will come in handy. This animal is capable of running up to 10 km per day; when living in an apartment, the rodent requires some kind of energy outlet. You can make a simple device yourself so that the hamster in the ball can travel freely and explore all corners of the apartment.

Purpose of the ball for a hamster

Many pets have a wheel, but a ball is no less important for a hamster. After all, with its help, the animal will be able to walk freely around the apartment. The principle of operation of this device is simple - the hamster is placed inside, and then the door closes, and the animal runs inside. The design looks like a sphere with a round hole. Plastic is often used as a manufacturing material. In this case, the sphere must be transparent.

Along with these devices, special stands are often included. There must be good ventilation inside, as the animal can run from 30 minutes to an hour.

Description and purpose

The hamster ball is a transparent plastic sphere with a small door. It is equipped with several ventilation holes so that your hamster can breathe properly.

The principle of operation is simple: the animal is placed inside and the door is closed, and the active running of the animal sets the sphere in motion. That is, the pet runs and rolls the ball.

This is not just a fashion accessory. The ball is needed so that the animal can move freely around the apartment. Without it, the baby can easily get lost, get stuck in a gap, or chew something.

In addition, a person who does not notice a small rodent running freely around the room may accidentally injure it. The ball also allows the hamster to periodically change its environment, which is important for its psychological state.

Varieties of balls for walking on sale

You can find many models of walking balls on sale, but they can all be divided into three types:

simple,
with the trajectory of movement,
with stand (2 in 1).

The first option is a simple smooth transparent plastic ball. Models of the second type are equipped with special grooves that allow the hamster to follow a certain trajectory while running. This option is also convenient for the owner - it makes it easier to keep the hamster in sight. Some models come with special stands that allow you to secure the ball in a certain position. In this case, the walking ball is transformed into a sports wheel for running.

Price

The cost of a walking ball depends on its size, configuration, as well as the brand that produces the product. On average, spheres cost from 200 to 800 rubles. The simplest model of the smallest diameter can be purchased for 200-250 rubles. A more functional ball with a stand costs more. For example, you can find models whose price exceeds 1,500 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages of the design

The walking ball has both positive and negative properties. Here are its advantages:

With the help of the sphere, the pet will be able to move around the apartment, which will have a positive effect on its health.
The animal will not be able to escape.
There is no need to worry if there is a cat at home.
An animal gets more tired in a sphere than in a wheel.
The design is easy to assemble and can be easily washed.

There are also some disadvantages to the design:

Particular attention should be paid to the presence of holes for ventilation. The air flow should move freely inside the ball.
It is not recommended to leave the rodent inside for longer than 30 minutes.
If the product is used for a long time, the lid fasteners may wear out and the animal may run away.

Why do you need a ball?

To decide whether your hamster needs a ball, you should first find out what kind of exercise machine it is. The product is a transparent sphere with a door and holes so that the hamster can breathe air. The design is easy to control, it moves due to the muscular strength of the hamster itself, in other words, if the animal runs, the ball rolls. For a small pet, the walking sphere becomes a simulator, a means of transportation and a capsule for exploring the outside world.

Happy is the hamster whose owners did not skimp on such an important thing for him.

There are a number of reasons why you should give your hamster a transparent sphere. If you read them carefully, it becomes clear that not only the rodent benefits, but also the owner and his apartment.

How to choose the right walking ball for a hamster

When choosing such a toy, you should pay attention to the size of the ball. Diameter is important. Depending on this parameter, the product comes in three types:

For dzungaria, the diameter should be 12 cm.
For Syrian pets – 18-20 cm.
For chinchillas – 27-30 cm.

It is imperative to take into account the size of the animal itself. If the ball is too small for a hamster, the pet will bend strongly, and if it is large, it will be thrown from side to side.

You can find a ball for any hamster, as there is a huge selection of models. Most often, stores offer models in the form of a hollow sphere. But there are also designs where there is a special track that sets the movement.

It is necessary to pay attention to the ventilation holes so that air can freely penetrate inside. During active movement, air must flow constantly.

Cost is also an important parameter. The price is influenced by the manufacturer's brand, specific store and equipment. Before choosing the appropriate option, you can look at the photo to see what hamster balls look like. Perhaps, in order not to purchase a product at exorbitant prices, you should also consider making a homemade toy.

Hamster walking sphere

It is often impossible to protect the dwarf while walking around the house. But you can use a walking ball for your 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 - using a special leash. However, there are some nuances in its use: it is only used on large rodents, since it is too large for dzungarians. The little finger should fit between the leash itself and the fluffy’s body. If the leash is too tight, the hamster will choke and squeak, and if it is too loose, it will simply run away.

On average, the time of movement in the ball is no more than 20 minutes. You should not wake your pet and try to stuff him into a toy - this can negatively affect his health and well-being. The optimal time to place 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. Djungarians do not always start traveling the first time in a toy; they often need several attempts to get the hang of it.

The hamster ball has special slots designed for air exchange. When purchasing such a toy, you should pay 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). They often come with special stands designed for running in place.

Walking balls provide the hamster with the necessary level of exercise, but this does not mean that other toys should be neglected. This sphere will be useful if cats live in the house with a rodent - he can walk in it without fear of being eaten. The toy must be washed periodically.

Rules for using the ball

To start walking, you should know some rules for using the structure:

It is necessary to close the door tightly so that the animal does not escape.
The sphere should only move on the floor. Do not roll it on high surfaces.
It is important to limit access to stairs and other sliding surfaces.
Cats or dogs that will frighten the animal should not be allowed near the animal.
Don't push the sphere. The hamster must move it himself.