| Super Pet Giant 11.5" Rainbow Run-about Ball, Assorted Color | 
 enlarge | List Price: $24.71
Buy New: $12.99
You Save: $11.72 (47%)
Buy New from $12.99
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 4 reviews)
Sales Rank: 97639
Category: Kitchen
Publisher: Super Pet
Studio: Super Pet
Brand: Super Pet
Label: Super Pet
Media: Misc.
Size: 11.5''
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
MPN: 100079359
UPC: 045125613780
EAN: 0045125613780
ASIN: B0002AS8SY
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | The pet powered playtime ball for pet rats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and other furry friends | | • | A perfect spot to keep your critter while cleaning their cage | | • | Made from durable plastic with ventilated slits |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
11.5" diameter. Run-about Ball is a great workout exercise for pet rats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, ferrets and other furry friends. Assorted colors.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Dangerous! July 15, 2008
No animal should ever be put in an exercise ball. They are dangerous and stressful for all animals. You may think your animal is happily rolling around. It's much more likely that they are running in fear, trying to get away from the ball that is containing them. Or, sometimes the animal will just sit there in misery, not moving at all, waiting to be freed.
Most rodents/small animals have poor eyesight. In a ball their vision is even more limited. What always happens when they are in the ball?? They run into furniture and walls, which they don't see coming. It's like a car crash for them. They back up to try and get away and crash into something else. It's extremely stressful. There is also the risk that they could roll down stairs or become a "toy" for a larger family pet, such as a cat or dog. It only takes a second for an unfortunate accident to happen.
Crashing into things is not the only hazard...
Paws and legs can be pinched/broken in the air slits.
Animals can easily become overheated -- especially chinchillas.
If the animal goes to the bathroom in the ball, s/he has to run in their own waste.
Exercise balls are not safe for any animal, but they are exceptionally dangerous for guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas. A guinea pig's rigid spine does not allow for him/her to move safely in a ball. They can be seriously injured. The way rabbits and chinchillas move (hop) makes exercise balls extremely dangerous for them too.
There are alternatives...
A large Rubbermaid tote/bin makes an excellent playpen for hamsters, gerbils, mice and other little guys. Put in a layer of bedding, add some toys, tunnels, boxes, cubbies, and an exercise wheel with a solid running surface and watch them have a blast.
The "Grrreat Wall" makes an excellent playpen for rats and guinea pigs. Lay down a sheet, set up The Wall, add some toys and have some fun. When you are done, the Grrreat Wall rolls right up. You can also use a fence type playpen for guinea pigs. (Rats will climb out.) You can purchase a fence playpen, or you can easily make one with Creative Cubes and cable/zip ties.
An exercise pen can make an excellent play area for ferrets and rabbits. Even better, connect two or more exercise pens together. (You may need a top for ferrets.) Ferrets and rabbits can be litter trained, so it's possible (and ideal) to let them have supervised free run of a whole animal-proofed room.
Chinchillas need a lot of room to exercise. Most playpens are too small, and chinchillas can usually jump right out of them. Chin-proof a room so they can safely run around.
We enjoy freedom of movement and so do our animal companions. They want to explore, touch, sniff, climb, hop, play...
Use your imagination! It's easy to create a safe and fun play environment for your animal friends.......and trash the ball!
 Great Item July 8, 2007
This run about ball is a great exercise ball for my chinchilla. It is the right size for him, allowing him to fit inside comfortably while zooming around the house. It is very important for chinchillas to get their exercise and this ball provides that opportunity, and at a very reasonable price! In regards to the fact that these balls are bad for guinea pigs, well, the product information lists that these are for ferrets, rats, and chinchillas, and says nowhere that they are made for guinea pigs.
Great toy for rats March 25, 2007
I thought it was important to provide a positive review of the Run-About Ball. Clearly, people believe there is good reason not to use them for guinea pigs, but they are excellent toys for RATS. Our rat used it for three years without any issues. She got a lot of exercise, which was particularly important since she would not use the exercise wheel in her cage. It's very fun.
DO NOT BUY THIS FOR GUINEA PIGS! February 6, 2005
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
Guinea pigs' spines do not bend like this. They should never ever run in a wheel or exercise ball. Super Pet needs to stop marketing these for guinea pigs, as they are responsible for hundreds of injuries each year. I'm sure they're great for other animals, but not guinea pigs.
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