question about a playball (and harnesses)

[Rosarita]

My daughter has an older piggie, his name is Lenny and is soooo cute. He was kept in his cage most of the time before we got him and we are wondering how to get him to roll in his large guina pig ball for exercise. He just sits in it then goes to sleep. I like to keep him in so he dosn't go potty on the carpet.
Have any ideas? thanks!

[VoodooJoint]

Those balls are not good for Guinea Pigs, Neither are wheels or harnesses. Guinea Pigs have rigid spines, like horses, and they cannot bend backwards well. Balls, wheels and harnesses force their spines into an unnatural position that can lead to serious injury.

Get rid of the ball and never use it again. Instead set up a large, safe play area for free roaming floortime. You can lie down a shower curtain or two and towels over it to protect your carpeting from urine.

[Rosarita]

Hey, thanks for the advice! I'd wondered about buying that in the first place! You wonder when they do run in it if they are running from being scared-its probally because they want out!

[x kat x]

When i first had guinea pigs i was very tempted to buy a guinea pig ball. Very good advice! something many people do not realize and something many pet store assitants dont either (stupidly). My guinea pigs freely run around on the floor with the bedroom door closed, this is great enough for them because they arent like hamsters (which would get lost) hehe.

[himi_girl]

yeah, if you just let them go in an enclosed area, it is alot better for them than those balls, sticktly for hamsters/rats/mice only.

vi x

[Rosarita]

Thanks! I have the ball back in its container and ready to go back to the pet store! Lenny has a pretty big area to play in if I keep his cage open, its like 4x4 feet and I just put an old sheet down for him to run around in. I also cut the top and bottom out of an old milk jug and he likes to go in and out of it. He's so cute, but he was so ignored that he hardly wants to come out of his cage.

[jerseychacha]

hi
when i first got my piggie i was so excited that i bought him one. he wouldn't really walk around. he would rock back and forth in one spot. all he would do is poop or pee in it. anyway i threw that ball out. i was angry since i wasted money on it and didn't read about balls and guineas. well i have learned a lot now thanks to all the websites.

[jadedbutterflie]

I actually bought little play pens for my piggies! They love them. They are about 9in tall, not sure how big around. But I use them as fences to keep the entrances to my kitchen closed so my piggies can run around and around on the easy to clean floor. Of course, I make sure the fridge is blocked so they can't get behind it. You can get the play pens at Wal-mart for about $10 a piece, and if you buy multiples, you can link them together to get one large play area.

[joannar]

oh i dont believe i fall for this ball
i bought it and it was so useless, why they even make them
i have a dog two and he wants to play to rough with my guiness, so i though the ball will help, but did just the oposite

[kathyjacks]

I also purchased one when I got my first guinea . He didn't like it at all and just went to sleep in it. THe box said for guinea pigs , ferrets, ect. so I thought it was safe. Of course i got online and found out that it is not safe and have never used the ball again. My big gripe is that the manufactuers advertise that these are for guinea pigs and I even asked the pet store if it was safe and of course they said yes to make a sell. I know stamp stupid on my forhead .......some packaging for these balls and wheels even have pictures of guinea pigs on them. I really dont' think that most people who buy them are aware they are harmful which really ticks me off. I am just learning from this post that the harnesses are not safe which is good that I read this because I was going to buy one but not now.