Do chins like those Plastic balls to Run around in?

  • Thread starter Killa Da Chinchilla
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Killa Da Chinchilla

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I just bought my chinchilla one of those plastic rolling balls so he can roam my house as he pleases. The first time I put him in there He freaked out and pooped all over the place, but the second time he seems to enjoy the ability to go where ever he wants, I am a new owner and am curious to know if there are any downfalls to the Rolling ball?
 
No, and it's unhealthy for them. Picture yourself wearing a fur coat, then going and sitting in a sauna. It's the same for your chin. They overheat very easily normally anyway, and in a runabout ball you are just accelerating the process. Then throw pee and poop on top of his fur and you've got a huge mess on your hands.

Also, chins don't run, they hop. Using that ball is not an appropriate motion for their spines.

You'll not find anybody on this site who recommends runabout balls. They are very dangerous. They do make pretty cool swings in the cage though. Take the ends off, drill a hole in the ball, and hang a chain. Throw a fleece pillow in there and they'll love it.
 
also, just want to add to what tunes said, their little feet can get stuck in the cracks that the ball has to "ventilate"....of course, the "ventilation" that it provides is zip and your chin will just over heat in it while making a mess of his fur.....
 
yeah, don't use the plastic ball to let your chin run around. If you have a safe room that you can clear out all the wires and things your chin can get into, you can let him run around in there, supervised at all time of course. Many people use their bathrooms since there isn't as much for the chins to get into normally.
 
I tried a ball when I first got my chin and before I joined on, and my chin would just stay in one spot, and then would urinate and poop would be stuck in her fur. It was a real mess and you learn very quickly that it was a mistake! I have a playpen for mine to run in, others have a designated room like the bathroom.
 
I wish they would put on those balls 'NOT GOOD FOR CHINCHILLAS' . SO many people don't realize their chins can overheat in them and die. It's ashame people are more interested in making a buck than caring for animals.

Jean
 
I think it's really sad how many people use these balls and don't realize how much damage they're doing...but the swing that tunes suggested really is a nice idea.



if your room isn't chin proof and you cannot make it to me, you might want to invest in a play pen instead :thumbsup:
 
The biggest problem with these balls is that they market them for chinchillas in the first place... I also had one when we first got chins... And the mess was unbelievable. It now sits unused. I like Tunes' idea, though... I may need to try that when I get my FN. ;)
 
Good to know...I didn't think they were safe because of their fur and poor ventilation. I will use my bathroom - great idea - once I get my chin, for an exercise room! My one hamster hates the ball, she sits there and refuses to move. So I got her a playpen and she is much happier. :)
 
killa da chinchilla hasnt been on this thread since the first post lol im gonna have to say posible troll
 
That's exactly what I was thinking when he put up this thread and that other one about leaving the chin alone while he was away for 5 days.
 
The girl I got my chin from used them because her breeder said they were ok, glad I did not take her and the breeders advice because I thought they looked unsanitary. Looking back she also says raisins are ok along with fruits, veggies and nuts so I guess just because you breed them does not mean you know your stuff!

http://resources.azchins.com/Supplylist.htm
 
i knew people who would try to put guinea pigs in them!:hair:

i told them how bad they were and that the poor guinea pigs back doesn't bend that way.
 
Ticklechin...

That's an old webpage with some information that's from 2001 or 2002. I have changed it tonight because I forgot completely what was up there. Years ago people fed chins raisins for their daily treat. Nuts weren't seen as being so bad back then. It's only me here so sometimes things don't get updated.

I wish that you had contacted me to tell me that the information didn't seem right.

Are the chinchillas that you have from me? If they are, I would like to know who they came from. I have people sign a contract that they will contact me if they can no longer care for the animals.

Thanks...

Susan

(Hello to all of you that I haven't spoken to in so long!)
 
I wish I had seen this sooner to comment on the link to Susan's site. Many, many of us "old timers" know Susan well and know the valuable service she does for the chinchilla community through her rescue work. She's the first one to send out a care package when someone is having problems with money or a chin's health. She's also always willing to answer questions or help in any other way she can.

Lots of folks had different ideas when they first started out with chins than they do now. I know when I first started, people convinced me that plastic was the debil. It isn't. In 8 years I've never had a single issue with a chin with plastic. I've only ever had one case of bloat here in all that time, and it was due to a medical issue, not a plastic chewing issue. But, in the beginning, I would beat the war drum that plastic was BAAAAD. I would not have known starting out that a runabout ball was bad either, but I've learned since that it absolutely is and would never recommend using one. I'm absolutely sure that Susan knows quite well the dangers of a runabout ball and fruits/nuts/seeds. She's been doing rescue work longer than most people in this thread have even owned chins.

Susan, welcome to CnH. I'm sorry you felt the need to defened yourself. The people who know you know better. :)

Now, while you're updating your site, would you want to update mine too????
 
UMMMM, how would anyone know its old and this person is fine? Seems iresponsible to to have a site up providing info that is not up to date.
 
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