Hamster balls offer another way to give your hamster exercise. You can place your hamster in a ball outside its cage and allow it to run around the floor without worrying about it being able to escape.
You should always supervise your hamster when it is using a ball however, and never use it near stairs where the hamster may fall down. Because these balls can overheat they should not be used for more than 15 minutes at a time, and you should remove your hamster from the ball if at any time it seems unhappy. A few hamsters may not like being inside the ball at all, so do not force your hamster to use it if it does not appear happy to do so.
Several different types of hamster balls are available, from simple balls to novelty shapes such as cars. You should buy a ball that is large enough for your hamster to use comfortably, and so Syrian hamsters in particular should be given a large ball. Make sure that the ball closes securely before you use it.
A hamster ball should not be used in place of a wheel, as it will not provide your hamster with sufficient exercise or enable your hamster to use it on its own during the night.