The worst thing that you can do is to allow your hamster to freely roam your home without so much as a hamster ball. Some well-intentioned hamster owners think that this will make their pet happier and provide them with a feeling of freedom. While this may be true, it also poses a serious risk of harm to an animal of a hamster’s size. When buying a chew toy for your hamster, the most important consideration is that it's made with non-toxic materials. Wood can be a great choice but ensure it's pesticide and chemical free.

Consider purchasing these toys for your hamster. Their cage should have adequate space to accommodate at least one of these additions. A Hamster Wheel A prolonged period of physical exertion with no food or water can really tire out a little critter. Hamsters can get to the point of dehydration if left in the confines of a ball for too long. Hamster wheel: Possibly the most common type of hamster toy out there, the hamster wheel is a classic addition to your hamster cage. Always supervise a hamster in a ball. Never let her or him out of your sight. The ball offers only minimal protection and you must be there to get your hammy out of trouble at any time.

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If you’ve made sure that every playtime item is fit to your hamster’s needs and is accessible to them, but they still aren’t getting into the hang of things, it may be time to take a trip to the vet. Illness, stress and old age can diminish a hamster’s ability to be active. Make sure that they have a clean bill of health before you write your hamster off as “lazy.” Can a Hamster Exercise Too Much?

The little inquisitive animals may be able to roll around to various corners of a room but they're prevented from sniffing, touching and generally interacting with the new area. That goes against their natural instincts and could cause frustration and stress. Don't keep your hamster in the ball for more than 20 minutes at a time. Though some hamsters may enjoy their ball, it is best to limit the amount of time that they spend in it. Just like us, our furry companions can become fatigued from over-exertion. It's a great way to provide exercise for your little critter but it also emulates their natural behavior in the wild. Hamsters will walk several miles in search of food. Obvious weight gain is one symptom of too much inactivity. Listlessness and agitation are two behaviors often seen in bored and under-stimulated hamsters. If your hamster is experiencing these things, it may be time to change up the way that you have their playtime items arranged in their cage. You may also need to consider choosing a different type of exercise. If the hamster ball doesn’t seem to enthuse them, consider a hamster playpen instead. If they aren’t using their hamster wheel, consider that it may be too small for them to use comfortably – or too big for a dwarf hamster to use. Often made from wood, this is a specific area for a hamster to exercise their love of burrowing. You fill it with sawdust and there's usually a hole at the top for your critter to jump in and enjoy.Watching your hamster as he or she scurries around the room in their specially-designated hamster ball is a blast. But how long can they stay in that little ball for? When does playtime become excessive and the hamster needs to return to their cage?