I don't know if the ball pits were originally designed as an out of cage toy or in cage, but I was under the impression they were okay for either, and I put one in all of my cages with 26 balls in each. They were the old fashioned candy jar container with the opening in the front made out of plastic.

Today I happen to come home early to pick up a glider to take to the vet and I kept hearing a funny noise coming from another cage. It was 4:00 pm and my guys just aren't up at that time of day. I finally found my little Noel in the bottom of the ball pit FLAT ON HER BACK with her legs flailing everywhere. She could not get turned over to get out!

Everytime she would try to roll or turn, the balls would roll with her and she couldn't get any footing to turn herself over. At first I thought she was playing, but it only took a second to realize she was not and that she was terrified. She was trying to grip the balls to help herself and of course that didn't work.

I don't have any idea how long she was in there, but I'm guessing it was a pretty long time, if not overnight. As a general rule my gliders are not up in the day and I didn't see her this morning as they are usually all in bed when I leave for work.

I feel very lucky she was not injured or dehydrated, but just scared out of her wits, and also very lucky I found her when I did. I think the ball pits are a great toy idea, however, I have removed them from the cages and will only use them as a supervised toy for out of cage time.

I'm not putting down the ball pits, just wanted to give everyone a heads up on what could possibly happen if the suggies aren't supervised while playing in them. At least this way I can watch them having fun in them and not miss out while I'm sleeping!

No, I think it's important that you report it, it takes incidents like these to help us decide if this should be a supervised toy only or not! I'm sure glad your baby was ok!!

Joy .. omg .. that is so terrifying .. and thank you for posting …

I haven't tried them yet, but thank you so much for giving us all a heads up !

Poor girl. it's a good thing you were there for her. Thanks for the heads up!

I've seen quite a few of them in pics of people's cages lately. I made one with a very large plastic salad bowl for the tent and only when I'm right there. I didn't think about what happened with your baby, I was worried about hands, nails feet getting caught up in one of the holes! So glad you posted! Thank you!!

Thank God your baby is fine!!

Wow - how scary!

How deep was your ball pit? Did you have fleece in it? How many balls?

Just wondering how to make them safer! Only one of mine played with it, but I haven't used it with the new guys and wanted to. But now...I'll know to be extra careful! Thanks for posting!

Correct me if I'm reading this wrong, but 26 balls in each pit, sounds a bit much. We bought a set of 12 practice golf balls from the Dollar Tree, and are going to use 6 each in a shallow container.

I made my shallow with fleece, lots of fun and no problems. I didn't put a lot of balls because I remember when I got STUCK in the big ball pit at "Discovery Zone".

Actually 26 balls was 10 less than what I heard goes in and it didn't really seem like that many for the size of the container. I believe the container is a gallon, not certain. The idea I think was to have them burrow through the balls for mealies.

Noel's problem was somehow getting on her back and not being able to get turned over. This could happen in almost any kind of container with fewer balls as well. Plastic is slick. That's where the problem comes in. When there is no place to get a grip.

Like Sugarblossoms, I was concerned about other safety issues, one being to make sure they had a way to safely get out of the container. I went to great pains to put it in the corner of the cage so they could reach the sides and top and pull themselves up if necessary and I also put a tree branch within reach of the opening. I remember thinking to myself there was no way now they could get trapped in there. I never even thought about one getting stuck on their back.

Of course my sweet little Noel is so tiny, she only weighs 74g but has the guts and courage of a gorilla. She should have taken her big sister in with her (avatar)who could have given her a push upright!

Noel was very shaken by her experience and didn't come out for dinner last night. I was worried so I took her out and hand fed her myself and cuddled with her and gave her extra mealies. She's doing much better now!

what if you lined the bottom and sides with landware cloth. This way it will make the bottom and sides easier to grip and no matter which way they turn, theres something to hold on to..

Just a thought..

I'm glad your baby is doing better.

Oh I'm so sorry that happened to Noel! I can imagine how worried you were when you saw her and how scared she must have been too! Thank you for letting us know! I'm glad everything turned out ok now.

OMGosh Joy, that is so freaky. I used to sell these about 3 years ago and tht is somehting that I never thought of. I am glad you found her. Give Noel an extra mealie from auntie 'nita. Big hug girly!

Joy, sorry to hear Noel had such a rough time in her ball pit I'm glad you shared this with us! I made an open top box with plastic canvas that I use for my ball pit, but I also only use it in the tent

Joy!!!! ((((HUGS)))) how terrifying! I hope (bet) she got a good snuggle with momma! I am so glad you found her!

I am glad she is ok!! How scary! I have only used mine in the tent, not in their cages. Now I am glad I didn't put any in!!

Sorry to hear about what your baby went through
I stopped using balls in the pit awhile ago only because I hated cleaning the balls. Instead I just cut up a bunch of scraps of fleece and put it in the container.
I bought one of those washing bags that are made to wash small things and I just put all the fleece in there and toss it in the wash. Its also a good way to use scraps.

On a side note I had something simular happen the other day. We were cleaning cages adn my son went to the cabinet to get clean stuff to put in the cages. I did not see he put a small hamster ball in there. When I went back later that night the two gliders in there where in the ball but the ball was upside down OVER them and they could not get out. They were only in there a short time but it sacry to think what could have happened.

Thanks for the warning!

by ball pit do you mean hamster balls?

I was just getting ready to set one up. I am so glad to know this so I can watch out for any problems when they are out for play time! I'm glad she's ok!

no not a hamster ball more like a hollow plastic golf ball for children. they have them at like dollar stores or wallmart and some even have holes in them (great to fit mealies inside)

can u send me a picture of one so i dont buy it and put it in it

A ball pit is a container (like a chin dust house) that you put ping pong or practice golf balls in. Similar to the ball pits at parks for kids.

WOW, that must've been SCARY...for both you AND Noel!!

I only have a small rectangular container (about 1" deep) and put maybe 6-8 balls in there, some plastic jacks, and a few strips of fleece. I love to watch the babies go digging for the Yogies I randomly drop in the midst for them to go after.

Yes, it's a MESSY toy and I usually find the balls & jacks all over the bottom of the cage...but they're worth it!

I haven't tried them yet either but I really appreciate the heads up. Definitely a supervised play time.

Anna

Thank you so much for posting this. Now I know to only use when I am there with them. Glad your little one was ok and you found out in time.

Would it be possible to have larger opening's in the bottom (more then 1/2 inch so they can get out) encase that happens?

or do the balls themselves need to be relatively small?

Talk about ESP! YOu knew all along that something was going to happen...I am so happy to hear that you were there and that she is alright.