My hamster had trouble walking. Is a hamster ball safe for them?

I am sorry to hear that happened to Muffin. You must be very worried about her. Is she limping? If so she should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Is she eating, drinking, and acting normal? Hopefully she is just a little shaken. However, if you have any concerns that something just isn’t right then I would recommend that she be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello, A fall could cause a traumatic brain injury, a spinal injury, bone fractures, or internal bleeding. If Casper has returned to normal activity levels and is eating well, he is likely fine. If Casper becomes lethargic or disinterested in food, it may be a sign of illness or pain that he needs to be seen by a vet. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

He could have had a stroke or these signs could be compatible with an inflammation of the middle ear (causing vestibular signs). I would recommend a check up to confirm or rule out these clinical suspicion and give appropriate treatment. In case of an otitis antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Pompie is probably not as active as usual because of his new surroundings. Hamsters can be very prone to stress when their environment abruptly changes. He is most likely being more active when he is home alone and at night time because he feels safer. Since he is eating and drinking normally, I would not be too concerned. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is definitely a good idea to separate your hamsters to avoid fighting. While a running wheel or ball are great activities it doesn’t necessarily meet a hamster’s normal behavior to burrow. I recommend providing plenty of nesting material in both cages. You can also provide various tubes that encourage further burrowing or huts that allow for hiding and establishing a territory. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have!

You can use an exercise ball with s gerbil. Be sure to keep it away from stairs or ledges. You can also try a different wheel or exercise apparatus. There could be a personal preference. Make sure the cage is big enough for 2 gerbils to prevent stress or bullying.

Based on why you are describing I am concerned that Chewie may have suffered some sort of head trauma (perphaps by falling or hitting his head). I would recommend watching him closely over the next 24 hours. If he continues to eat and drink he will likely be ok. If he seems lethargic, doesn’t want to eat, and is not moving around, I would recommend taking him to your vet to be examined. He may need some pain medication to help the swelling in his head. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.