Wheels and exercise balls are very dangerous to
cavies. Want to know why?
- Their spines/backs are not designed to bend like a hamster/gerbil/mice/rat/etc. meaning they can seriously injure their spines in a ball or wheel.
- Feet/nails can be trapped in wires/holes causing serious injury.
It doesn't matter how they are marketed or labeled. Petstores and other stores sell these items to make money from unsuspecting consumers. Do the petstores and manufacturers care if your
cavies get hurt by these items, most likely not as they continue to market them.
For the safety of your
cavies, please do not let them run in wheels or exercise balls. Toss them out or donate them to rescues who specialize in smaller rodents that can use them. Some members have even taken balls, split them in half and used them for hay containers.