Are you struggling to pick the best hamster balls for your furry friend?
I went through dozens of toys for hamsters before I found the perfect hamster exercise ball for my small pet, so I understand your frustration.
Fortunately, I’m here to narrow down your options.
Just keep reading.
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Don’t have time? Check this comparison table of our top faves!
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Quick Summary
- Hamsters are active animals and need plenty of toys – hamster wheels, tubes, and playpens – to keep them happy and healthy.
- The best hamster balls are chew-resistant to prevent escape attempts and don’t break easily if they crash into something.
- Consider your hamster’s size when picking the best hamster balls.
5 Best Hamster Ball Review – Top Picks
Before looking at my top 5 picks, let’s talk about why you should consider getting a hamster ball for your pet.
Hamsters are active creatures, running up to 5 miles per single night on their hamster wheel, according to vets from PetMD. (1)
And as Gregory Rich, a vet from the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital, says, “Hamster balls are an extremely safe and fun way for hamsters to get exercise and stay fit.” (2)
But what are the best hamster balls? Here are my top picks.
#1 Best Overall: Kaytee Run About Hamster Excercise Ball
Kaytee Run About hamster balls are an excellent choice for owners because of their pet-friendly design, ventilation holes, and easy-to-maintain construction.
Moreover, it’s secure, so I don’t have to worry about my pet making a run for it. I also love that it’s available in two sizes.
Features & Attributes
An interactive exercise toy made from plastic with built-in ventilation holes and a lid. It’s available in clear, moon glow, or rainbow colors.
Measurements
- Available in 5 inches (best for Robo or Dwarf hamsters) or 7 inches in diameter
Benefits of Kaytee Run About Hamster Excercise Ball
- A secure environment for hamsters and other small pets to exercise and have fun
- Ventilation holes to prevent overheating
- Made from chewy-resistant plastic
- Two sizes are available, so it’s great for Dwarf, Robo, or Chinese hamsters.
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Affordable
Drawback
- Not the best choice for larger hamsters, such as Syrian, or heavy chewers
- Hamsters can get their paws stuck in the ventilation holes
How it Compares to Others
Cheaper than similar products, so the plastic construction is a bit thin and can shatter on impact if you leave your pet unobserved.
How it’s evolved over time
Kaytee has a wide variety of products for small animals, so they’re constantly improving their designs to match pet owners’ needs.
Expert Tips
- Don’t leave your hamster in a hamster ball for more than 10-20 minutes.
What Influencers Say
Customers have a favorable opinion of Kaytee Run About Exercise Ball, saying that the hamsters like it and enjoy exploring running inside it.
And as you can see from this video, it’s easy to place your pet inside and secure the lid.
#2 Best Syrian Hamster Ball: Lee’s Kritter Krawler Exercise Ball
Syrian hamsters are around six inches long, so they need a large hamster exercise ball, or they can get injured, suffocate, or overheat.
And one of the best hamster balls for Syrian hamsters is Kritter Krawer’s exercise ball because of its unique design and large size.
Features & Attributes
Large plastic exercise ball for hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, and other small animals. It has ventilation holes and ribs inside for improved gripping power.
Measurements
- The ball measures 10 inches in diameter.
- Random color
Benefits of Lee’s Kritter Krawler Exercise Ball
- Perfect for a wide variety of small pets
- Shatter-resistant plastic, so it won’t break upon impact with furniture
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Jumbo size
Drawback
- Random colors, so you don’t know what color you’ll get
- Not very easy to open and close
How it Compares to Others
- Larger than the other hamster brands I’ve tried
- Better quality than other models but more expensive
Expert Tips
Hamsters can’t navigate well inside the ball, so they can crash into furniture and suffer injuries. Don’t leave them unsupervised in a Syrian hamster ball.
What Influencers Say
Most pet owners are happy with their Kritter Krawler Ball and praise its design and sturdiness. And as you can see from this video, it’s easy to put it together.
#3 Best Robo Hamster Ball: Kayteen LED Lighted Run About Ball
Roborovski hamsters are tiny, curious, and timid. They do best with a hamster ball of 5-7 inches in diameter, and Kaytee Run About LED Ball is the perfect product for these cute animals.
Features & Attributes
- A plastic hamster ball with a LED light, ventilation holes, and a lid.
Measurements
- Available in three sizes – 5-inch, 7-inch, or 13-inch
Benefits of Kayteen LED Lighted Run About Ball
- LED light provides a soft glow to check on your pet in the dark.
- The light shuts off after 10 minutes to remind you to take your hamster out of the ball.
- Made from durable plastic
- Runs on battery
- Versatile design
- Easy to maintain or turn on/off the light
Drawback
- You get a random color
- Some hamsters are afraid of the light
- The lid can come off
How it Compares to Others
I love the innovative LED light that reminds me to put the hamster back in the hamster cage, but the lid is easy to open.
Expert Tips
Besides exercise balls, you can place tubes for hamsters in your pet’s playpen or cage to increase their physical activity.
What Influencers Say
8 out of 10 hamster owners like Kayteen LED hamster ball and say it’s great, easy to put together, and rolls smoothly on flat, solid surfaces.
#4 Best Budget-Friendly Excercise Ball: Lee’s Kritter Krawler Transparent Ball
Lee’s Kritter Krawler standard ball is a great choice for pet hamsters of average size and won’t put a dent in your budget.
Features & Attributes
- Made from shatter-resistant plastic
- Clear color
Measurements
- It measures 7.25″ x 6.63″ x 7.25″ (7 inches in diameter)
Benefits of Lee’s Kritter Krawler Transparent Hamster Ball
- Clear color allows you to check on your hamster
- Made from durable plastic, not easy to break
- It has ribs inside for improved gripping power
- Ventilation holes to prevent overheating
- Easy to clean
Drawback
- Clear balls get dirty quickly
- Paws can get stuck into the ventilation holes
- The lid doesn’t lock well
How it Compares to Others
Similar to Lee’s Kritter Krawler Giant Ball, this one is smaller in diameter and less expensive. And you don’t have to wonder what color you’ll get.
Expert Tips
- Check out these best silent hamster wheels if you’re a light sleeper!
What Influencers Say
As you can see from this video, Kritter Krawler’s ball is versatile, durable, and fun. And pet owners highly recommend it as one of the dwarf hamster balls.
#5 Best Dwarf Hamster Ball: Savic Runner Exercise Balls for Small Animals
Savic Runners has one of the best hamster balls for dwarf hamsters and is a great way to keep your pet active and happy. I like its clear color and that it’s available in three sizes.
Features & Attributes
- Made in Belgium
- It has a side door and ventilation holes
Measurements
- 4.75″, 7″ or 10″ in diameter
Benefits of Savic Runner Excercise Ball
- Durable construction
- Side access door
- Convenient holding place
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for all life stages
Drawback
- It’s a bit hard to put it together
- It doesn’t come well-packed
How it Compares to Others
It’s smaller than other Dwarf hamster balls but has a side access door for easy cleaning.
Expert Tips
- Keep the hamster ball away from intense light, or your pet can overheat.
What Influencers Say
Most customers say the ball works well once you put the two halves together. They recommend it for hardwood floors.
How To Choose The Best Hamster Ball?
So, how can you choose the best hamster ball for your furry pet? Well, it’s easy if you keep a few things in mind.
Size
The exercise ball shouldn’t be too small or too big to avoid injuries. 5-inch balls are best for Robo or Chinese hamsters, while Syrian hamster balls should be at least 8 inches in diameter.
Ventilation
Without adequate ventilation, your pet hamster can suffocate quickly. Ensure the ball has plenty of ventilation holes.
Price
Most hamster exercise balls are pretty affordable because they’re made from plastic. But don’t expect them to last years. You’ll have to pay a higher price if you want something of superb quality.
Color
Pick a light color. As vets from PetMD explain, “A lighter-colored ball is recommended, as it will not trap as much heat as darker-colored balls, which could contribute to overheating while exercising.” (3)
FAQs
1. How Long Can My Hamster Be Left In Its Ball?
Don’t leave your hamster in the ball for more than 10 to 20 minutes. And take it out if you notice any signs of hamster stress.
2. Can I Use a Hamster Ball For Other Small Animals?
Hamster balls are suitable for other small animals, such as gerbils, chinchillas, etc. But they should be big enough to house the animal without danger of suffocation or injury.
3. Are Balls Good for Hamsters?
Many experts don’t recommend exercise balls because they can stress hamsters or lead to injuries if the pet crashes into furniture.
4. Can I Leave My Hamster In a Ball Overnight?
You shouldn’t leave your hamster in the ball overnight since it won’t have access to water and food.
Conclusion
Hamster balls can be a great way to entertain your pet and keep them fit and active. And it can satisfy your pet’s curiosity about your home.
Kayteen Run About Excercise Ball is a great choice for your furry friend. However, you should use them cautiously to avoid injuring or suffocating your pet.
What do you think about these best hamster balls? Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment in the comment section.
Resources:
1. Hamster Wheels [Internet]. www.petmd.com. [cited 2022 Dec 13]. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/exotic/evr_ex_hm_hamster-wheels
2. Mitrokostas S. Vets answer 13 questions about hamsters you’ve always wanted to ask [Internet]. Insider. Available from: https://www.insider.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-hamsters-answered-by-vets-2021-6
3. Are Hamster Balls Dangerous? [Internet]. www.petmd.com. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/exotic/care/are-hamster-balls-dangerous
Grigorina grew up surrounded by animals – dogs, cats, cows, goats, sheep, and horses and that has shaped her into what I am today – a crazy cat lady who always has a place for one more cat (or a dog). She has two female cats – Kitty and Roni, and two tomcats – Blacky and Shaggy, but she also feeds her neighbors’ cats when they come for a visit. I just can’t say no to them. Follow her on FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
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