Hamsters love running in their balls whenever they’re awake and need some time out of the cage. It is one of the best ways for these little rodents to get some much-needed exercise after sleeping for several hours.
It can be concerning when your pet rodent sits in his ball and refuses to run as expected. Tons of questions may pop up in your mind as you try to process the underlying reasons for the lack of running in the exercise balls.
Why is my hamster sitting in his ball? Some hamsters just hate running in their balls and choose to sit instead for no reason. New hamsters may have no idea that they can run in those balls so sitting could be the natural reaction. You have to train such hamsters to put their balls to good use.
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Why is My Hamster Sitting in His ball?
There could be several underlying reasons why hamsters would rather sit in their balls instead of running. The most vital point is to distinguish whether the incorrect usage of the popular toy is deliberate or due to ignorance.
If a new hamster with no experience of running in exercise balls chooses to sit then there’s little cause for alarm. It is probably due to ignorance so the best option is to train them to run when put in their balls.
On the other hand, hamsters that have always loved running in their exercise balls do not suddenly stop by coincidence. It is up to you to investigate and find out the exact reasons behind the running snub and how best to resolve the situation.
What is a Hamster Ball?
Hamster balls are hollow spheres of plastic designed for the placement of little rodents such as hamsters, degus, and gerbils when they need some time out of their cages. These balls are enclosed to prevent the little guys from escaping or getting lost.
Hamsters can get easily get lost when allowed out of their cages due to their small size. Finding them can be a nightmare when that happens hence the need for running balls. It allows them to enjoy a bit of time out from the enclosed environments without getting lost.
Reasons Why Hamsters Refuse to Run in Their Balls
There may be several underlying reasons why hamsters sit in their balls when you’ve purposely put them in there to get a bit of physical activity. Let us dive straight into a few of them.
1. Interrupted Sleep
No one likes to be interrupted while sleeping and hamsters are no different. If you’re in the habit of waking your furry buddies intentionally at night just because you think it is time for them to be up, no wonder they choose to sit in their balls with no intention of running.
Waking them up from deep sleep can be annoying for the little guys and the refusal to run or engage in other physical activities could be some form of rebellion.
Like humans and other animals, hamsters may also be a bit disoriented when they first wake up. It can take up to half an hour before they snap out of the sleepy phase. Putting them in running balls before they shake off the disorientation can be a bad idea as they’re likely to sit or remain curled up instead of running.
2. Natural Hate For Running in Their Balls
Hamster balls are a staple in many homes where these little creatures are raised. They can become a great way to allow pet rodents to move around the home with little risk of escaping or getting lost. While many of these adorable furballs love running in these popular toys, others show an obvious disdain for them.
If your hamster refuses to run and would rather sit or curl up in his balls, chances are he just hates the toy. You’re probably better off making alternative arrangements such as putting them in a small enclosed room without escape routes when they need a break from their cages or breeder tanks.
3. Fear
Hamsters serve as popular prey for larger animals in the wild and are born with high levels of natural paranoia which helps them to survive in precarious environments. They can get easily spooked by numerous situations including loud noises and even the sound of human voices at normal volumes.
When hamsters are scared for their lives, playing is the last thing on their minds. They’d rather sit in the balls to monitor the situation in the environment than getting distracted from running. It is not uncommon for hamsters to refuse to run in exercise balls during the first couple of days after arrival in a new environment.
Once they become familiar with those surroundings, running and other physical activities often resume without problems.
4. Blindness or Vision Problems
Hamsters do not exactly have stellar vision like many pet rodents and can only see from a maximum of 3 inches away from their noses. The vision declines even further with old age and unfortunately, blindness may even set in when the little guy suffers glaucoma or cataracts.
Hamsters with declining vision are less likely to run in their balls. They’d rather sit when you place them in it as running increases the risks of accidents. If a once active hamster no longer loves running in his ball all of a sudden, you may want to have him checked for signs of blindness or vision problems.
Sickness
Lethargy is a common symptom in sick hamsters. From Wet-tail to diabetes and renal infections, hamsters may lose interest in physical activity when their health takes a tumble. Putting a sick hamster in an exercise ball with an expectation to run can lead to disappointing reactions.
Sick hamsters would rather coil up or sit in their hamster balls when they feel physically weak. Getting them checked by a vet can uncover existing conditions that require treatment. Be sure to reveal odd observations about the little guy to your vet to speed up the diagnostic process.
Once the pet rodent is healthy again, running in his ball can become more natural.
Why Does My Hamster Stay Still in His Ball?
Hamsters may stay still in their balls when an element of fear or surprise hits them. These little guys are naturally paranoid and can get easily spooked. When something surprising or fearful occurs, they freeze in their balls to assess the situation.
The fear or surprise can trigger them to stop running and stay still for a couple of seconds or minutes and only resume the previous activity when they’re sure of no imminent dangers.
Is it OK for Hamsters to Be in Balls?
Hamster balls can be terrible for the well-being and comfort of these pet rodents for a variety of reasons. They can cause disorientation and stress and may prevent the little guys from running freely when there’s perceived danger.
The majority of exercise balls available for sale are small, limiting the pet rodent’s comfort and exposing their backs and other body areas to injuries. Hamster balls placed on uneven surfaces can also be a source of injuries in many instances.
Besides, hamsters may also pee and poop in their balls, increasing the risk of infections via physical contact with the waste products.
How Long Can a Hamster Be in a Ball?
Hamsters can be kept in their balls for 15-20 minutes at a time. Even if they seem overjoyed to be in the enclosed environment, too much time spent there can cause significant physical exertion.
With no access to food and water, hamsters can suffer dehydration and stress when they spend prolonged periods in exercise balls. We recommend setting up an alarm to manage how much time the little guy spends stuck in their balls.
How do You Clean Hamster Balls?
Hamsters poop and urinate a lot in their balls necessitating frequent cleaning. Here are steps to ridding your pet rodent’s exercise balls of dirt, urine, feces, and other unsavory stuff.
- Create a bowl of soapy water
- Open the hamster ball lid and rinse it thoroughly in the soapy water
- Wipe each part of the running ball with a wet cloth to eliminate dirt, fecal matter, and urine residue
- Rinse the hamster ball after it is scrubbed completely clean
- Place the freshly cleaned hamster ball in a cool area to dry off
Conclusion: Why is My Hamster Sitting in His Ball?
Hamsters may sit in their balls due to boredom, stress, or sickness. Waking and placing them immediately in an exercise ball can also backfire because it may take some time for these little guys to recover fully from the sleep-induced disorientation.
Other hamsters may refuse to run and remain curled up in their exercise balls for no reason. They just hate these exercise toys and are not afraid to show it. You’ll have no choice but to find alternative ways of getting them out of the cage with little risk of getting lost.