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Post by colettemclachlan on Jun 12, 2011 19:51:24 GMT
I've read different opinions about buying an exercise ball for my good and wondered if anyone else's good like them. I know I need to buy a large one for them but there is so many makes on the market. Would anyone recommend which one would be best for them and where I could purchase them from. Regards, a new deg mammy (3 weeks and loving them already ;D
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Post by poandcc on Jun 12, 2011 21:09:25 GMT
2 of my goos seem to like the exercise balls i bought for them! i have 2 different makes as i bought 1 from pets at home and then the other one was from ebay! the ones i bought are about 12" and they seem to be the perfect size for them at the moment! i dont think it matters which ones you buy as long the holes in the balls aint big enough for their tails to get caught in! hope this helps x
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Post by listracian on Jun 13, 2011 6:13:55 GMT
Mine liked the ball when they were younger but as they got older they seem to have got less and less interested in it. They just sit in it now and don't move!
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Post by malteser60 on Jun 13, 2011 10:16:58 GMT
Personally I'm against exercise balls. When they are out degus love to sniff and explore and they can't really do that in a ball. You might as well just leave them in the cage and run on the wheel as it's the same thing.
Edit: Just realised I sounded a bit harsh there. It's not that the ball is bad for them, it's just, well, what's the point! You'll be just wasting your money getting one as the degus do not get any benefit from it.
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Post by philbailey1806 on Jun 13, 2011 10:23:45 GMT
My Degus love their exercise balls! sorry to disagree with you malteser60, I can see your point about the exploring and sniffing etc, but when mine are out of the ball for a run round, they look terrified and run very jerkily, but in the exercise ball they zoom round like nutters, I think they make them feel safer.
I got mine from p@h when I bought my 2, they're roughly the size of a football, which I would say is minimum really.
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 14, 2011 17:54:51 GMT
It's worth putting a bit of tape accross the door or a bit of blutak where the door fits on the ball, the doors have been known to come off accidentally.
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Post by philbailey1806 on Jun 14, 2011 18:18:25 GMT
funny you shuld say that molette! I forgot to say I need to keep a very close eye on them when they are in their balls! Edna has learned how to escape when she feels like it lol, although she generally does prefer to be in her ball.
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Post by amie on Jun 15, 2011 0:30:40 GMT
To follow on from what Malteser said (and not meaning to sound harsh either) It's my personal opinion that to put a degu in a ball is not really giving them time out of the cage for freedom. If anything, I think that a ball must seem confining and restricts them even more. I don't think a degu would feel very free in a running ball. To me, it just seems like taking them from a cage where they can run around and putting them in box that moves, pretty much. That's my opinion and my opinion only. I don't mean to cause anyone any offence who uses runnings balls and it may not be the case, but that's how I see it
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Post by emz on Jun 15, 2011 7:03:27 GMT
but when mine are out of the ball for a run round, they look terrified and run very jerkily I don't think this is fear, this is usually more of a cautious behaviour in a new environment. Mine do this for the first couple of minutes every time they come out and they have for years. After that they come to life and start enjoying themselves chirping and play fighting. I think out time without bounds is great for a degu. I am not keen on the ball. Most balls would be, I imagine, too small. If the ball was at least 12 inches+ in diameter and they weren't left in too long (animals can get too warm inside a ball and over heat) then I guess they're ok. I think it goes against a degu's nature though. I think it is up to the degu. If they jump in and seem extremely happy then who am I to judge? I never recommend them though personally but respect some people feel differently.
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Post by philbailey1806 on Jun 15, 2011 8:02:51 GMT
Lol, well I feel Colette, to answer your question of do goos like exercise balls, it tooooootally depends on the degu, they all have such different personalities. If you have a brave goo, out time would be better, but if you have a shy goo, they may prefer the safety of a ball. I know if my 2 are out and I offer them an exercise ball, they more often than not jump right in, but some degus may not appreciate the restriction.
All in all, I would advise buying an exercise ball and offering it to your goos during out time, just to see what they prefer. They may prefer to be out roaming free, or they may appreciate the ball, but since theyre relatively cheap (I think mine where roughly £10) it's no great loss if they don't like it.
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Post by sophie9901 on Jun 16, 2011 11:56:07 GMT
I would recommend one, especially if you don't get the opportunity to let them have a longgg run around the room on a daily basis. I hold our ball up to the cage and Trots and Grunts run on into it like its the most fun thing in the world!! I would recommend a large one (10" rat ball) and that way you can let 2 in the same time if you want to! My 4 absolutely love it and go in pairs and run in the same direction (which is surprising) Just make sure you never force them into the ball and let them go in on their own accord. Keep an eye on them as well just in-case they did ever escape! www.netpetshop.co.uk/p-27996-super-pet-giant-run-about-rat-chinchilla-exercise-ball.aspx?CAWELAID=437273793 (about the size of a football .. bit more pricey but also good because it's clear and you can check they're ok and they can see properly!)
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Post by colettemclachlan on Jun 16, 2011 15:33:02 GMT
Thanks everyone for your advice. I think will get them one and at least try them with it. If they don't like it then hey, it ain't the end of the world. Once again thanks. This is such a great Site! X
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Post by malteser60 on Jun 17, 2011 9:08:16 GMT
I would recommend one, especially if you don't get the opportunity to let them have a longgg run around the room on a daily basis. I hold our ball up to the cage and Trots and Grunts run on into it like its the most fun thing in the world!! Please don't think i'm going to have a go or anything, honest! (I do hate it when posts start like this but I'm aware that I'm not the best when it comes to being tactful in a post!!! ) What I still struggle with is how is the ball different than running in their wheel in the cage? Mine go for very long runs in their wheel, and anyhow in the ball they can't "see" anything, so it makes no difference if they're running round a room, hall, etc. For them they're in a plastic ball. Mind you with that logic I do feel bad for them in the wheel in their cage as well, as they're doing all that running and going nowhere. But unless I release them out into the big wide world for complete freedom I guess the wheel in their cage is a good compromise. Along with giving them time out of the cage to sniff and explore... and destroy!
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 17, 2011 17:38:44 GMT
Some of my dwarf hamsters used to love the balls. They have narrow slots in so they can actually smell through the ball, and they can see a bit if you get a clear one.
It's pretty easy to tell if they like it or not, if you're not sure, just open it up back in the cage and see if they jump out or not, leave it a few seconds and see if they want to get back in.
As well as the tape for security, it can also be a good idea to set a timer, you wouldn't want to forget they are out....(probably MUCH less likely for a degu than a tiny hamster)!
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Post by sophie9901 on Jun 20, 2011 21:35:33 GMT
@ Malteser - I definitely understand what you're saying my goo's have time inside and outside the ball around the rooms.. But i'm sure if mine didn't like the ball they wouldn't run inside it as quickly and as happily as they do haha! It's very cute to see
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