What are people's opinions on hamster balls?

My opinion is "no". They run around in their pee and poop. They bang into things, they can roll down the stairs, they get chased by other pets and get stressed out, their feet/toes can get caught in some of them....

no... same reason as above... my biggest thing was because fingers and toes can get caught

I let my gliders run in a medium size one and they love it! They run all over the top floor in it while i keep a very close eye on them. just make sure the top is on all the way

Most members here will say no. You may encounter a few that do use them but, personally, I'm with the no's. Too dangerous.

I've read a lot of opposing opinions on them. I was thinking of getting one or two and letting them run around the apartment in them. My vet said that as long as you supervise that it was ok but I thought I'd check to see the opinions in here ;)

You have to consider that many vets don't always seem to know what's best when it comes to suggies. Many if not most in the area I used to live in had no idea what they were, and they few that did claimed to know everything but also suggested feeding pellets.

I would say no too. They can cause a lot of damage and it's not worth the risk, in my opinion.

I'm with most people here. The risks just outweigh the "fun" they can have. Their toes are so small, getting them caught in the slits or the holes can, and in a lot of cases WILL cause broken toes, torn nails, and in extreme cases, serious injury.

The woman who owned Zelda before us used to let her run around in a hamster ball, and gave it to us with Zelda. I took someone's advice, and now use it as a hanging hammock type toy. Hang it from the roof of the cage, and lay fleece in the bottom, fill with toys.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by tigerize</i>
<br />I've read a lot of opposing opinions on them. I was thinking of getting one or two and letting them run around the apartment in them. My vet said that as long as you supervise that it was ok but I thought I'd check to see the opinions in here ;)
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So..... have all the negative opinions swayed you into not getting them?

Kozi Gliders - That's why I didn't just go out and buy them. I tend not to just believe anything I'm told unless it comes from many different sources or a ton of research.

Any suggestions on a safer way to have them do the same thing? Like one of those car things? But I think that would limit them a bit too much.

I do have a Wodent Wheel before people jump all over me ;) I do let them loose in the bathroom to play as well as I'm working on designing and constructing a play tent.

I was looking for something that would allow them to run around the apartment without getting into too much trouble and also make them easy to find when I need to.

snowbungee - I like the toy idea! I just made them a ball pit but to have a hanging ball pit... the possibilities...

dpatters28 - I'm still not sure about them, which means I wont get them yet, if ever. I do like the toy idea.

A tent is a good way to let them run around and climb without getting into things.

~Michelle~

Yep, tents are great. And my guys have a Fisher Price castle they love running into and eating their dinner. Barrel of monkeys and baby rings are also great cage toys. My glider LOOOOVE knocking the monkeys off the cage! And drinking straws. Gliders go gaga over straws. :)