Hamster ball - how long?

[RozzlePops]

I collected a Syrian hamster yesterday, she is a little older (8 months). She was an adoption at pets at home. She is very sweet but sat in store for 6 weeks. I bought her a ball and she adores it! I have been putting her in it for about 10 mins at a time (twice) but she keeps running around her cage as if she wants to go again. I don't have her a wheel yet.

Any advice?

[EastMidsGPs]

I know nothing about hamsters but just wanted to thank you for rehoming your new arrival and to say congratulations 🐭🐾

[OverAndAbove]

When we first got our Syrian I read 20 mins max in the ball. But he spends a while getting used to it and then goes racing round so often it's 30 min or more. We can tell when he's sick of it as he just stops and sits up in the ball

He spends ages in his wheel though. He's a little older but still very energetic

[Lilaclily]

We did 20 minutes
Definitely get a wheel asap

[RozzlePops]

Gah! I'm hooked! I now think I need a hamster heaven cage!!!! She's costing me some dough!!!

[OverAndAbove]

Ah, we love Syrians in our house. Not great for handling, stroking etc but such characters. Total hamster worship!

[jwww]

They run roughly 7 miles a night they need a wheel, a ball doesn't replace that :)

[Katisha]

I'm not keen on the balls. But our Syrian has a chinchilla sized wheel that fits (just about) in the Hamster Heaven cage. Apparently they need to be able to run in it with a straight back.

[jwww]

What cage is it you have? I thought all the p@h cages come with a wheel.

[jwww]

What cage is it you have? I thought all the p@h cages come with a wheel.

[WotNoLoobrush]

With our hamster, we'd set a timer for around 15 minutes as I was afraid of forgetting and leaving her for longer than she wanted in the ball. She usually wanted longer than that as she wouldn't voluntarily get out (but we got her out then anyway). She had a wheel in the cage as well though.

[CannotEvenDeal]

The hamster heaven is a great cage!

I second Katisha Personally I took out the shelving and put a huge wheel because they say it's better for the hammie's back.

[Squeegle]

Get a wheel asap

[hollinhurst84]

Wodent wheel brand is fab for them. And yes to hamster heaven cage, that's the min size they should be in

[RozzlePops]

Thanks, I have a wheel, am trying to get hold of a second hand cage which is bigger, if I don't find one I will get a hamster heaven.

[WotNoLoobrush]

I'd have thought there will be loads of second hand cages out there (so long as they're big enough). New ones cost so much don't they?

[RozzlePops]

They do, I have bought 2 cages this week, the first one I am unable to bring back as it has been put together and also I can't find the receipt. The second I think is too small.

I can't find big ones on gumtree, eBay or Facebook pages.

[jwww]

Have you looked into making yourself a bin cage in the mean time?

[hollinhurst84]

Keep an eye out, I recently got rid of two hamster heavens!