How to Get Your Hamster to Start Running in His Ball

Making sure your hamster gets his daily exercise can help promote the pet's health and happiness. Your little fuzzball of energy needs a creative outlet, and by providing him with a variety of exercise toys, you can keep him from getting bored. A hamster ball is a plastic, hollow ball with air vents. It allows your hamster to explore areas outside of his cage while getting the exercise he needs. To get your hamster to run in the ball, you'll want to give little Hairy a proper introduction.

Things You'll Need

  • Hamster treats
  • Sticky tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Allow your hamster to familiarize himself with the ball. Open up the exercise ball and place it in your hamster's cage. Avoid forcing your hamster to get near the ball. Allow him to smell and explore the new item in his own time.

    • 2

      Place some hamster treats in the ball. The treats may motivate your pet companion to step inside the ball.

    • 3

      Wait for nighttime before starting your hamster's exercise and play session. Hamsters are nocturnal -- they sleep during the day and awaken at night.

    • 4

      Secure an area of the house where your hamster can use the exercise ball. Avoid stairs and direct sunlight; and remove any other pets, such as cats and dogs, from the room.

    • 5

      Allow your hamster to run in the ball, outside the cage. Place the ball on the floor, put your hamster in it, and close the lid. Put a piece of sticky tape over the lid to make sure it stays shut.

    • 6

      Observe your pet as he moves around the room in the ball. Never leave your hamster alone while he's in the ball, because the hamster may get stuck somewhere. In addition, by not leaving the presence of the cage you won't forget that your hamster is in the ball.

    • 7

      Take your hamster out of the ball after approximately 15 minutes. Remove him sooner if the traveling slows down or stops.