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PLAY TIME |
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Play
time
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| Hamsters love playing. The dwarf varieties enjoy running in wheels, and forming an assault course over and through tubes placed in their tank. You can now buy hamster balls for dwarf varieties and many enjoy a run in these. Due to their lack of body weight they often get stuck on uneven floor or under furniture when running in their ball, so they need constant supervision. | ||
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Syrians love running in wheels and may enjoy
going in a hamster ball. Remember though that their exercise/play time
should be for their enjoyment and if they just sit in a hamster ball, too
afraid to move, then they're not enjoying themselves and shouldn't be put in
the ball again. Be careful if your hamster goes in a ball - they are
great at escaping, so tape the door closed to prevent them letting
themselves out. Also make sure there
are no other animals around, e.g. a dog or cat might find it great fun to
play with the ball not knowing there's a terrified hamster inside.
Also don't let them go in a ball near stairs as they can get quite carried
away with running around in it. In the wild Syrians can travel up to 5 miles a night in search of food, so it is important they are given some way to exercise and burn off these calories. Making a play area for your hamster is an alternative idea. If you have an old hamster cage/tank or sturdy box you can fill it will different toys for your hamster and let them play (supervised) in this to give them some variety. Remember their sight is very poor, so don't put them near the edge of any furniture as more than likely they'll walk over the edge and hurt themselves. Dwarf hamsters love dust baths - pour some 'Chinchilla' dust into a small bowl and watch them rolling around in it! |
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| Jasper, the house rabbit, wondering what this strange furry thing is running around in a ball! | ||
