Hamsters are fun pets and are relatively easy to care for. Just like any other animal, they need toys to stay active and busy. However, it is not necessary to run to the pet shop to get them, you can make them yourself without great expense and with simple objects that you find at home. Not only will you have fun building them, but the hamster will be delighted to use them.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: A Ladder
Step 1. Get several popsicle sticks
The exact amount depends on the length of the ladder you want to build.
Step 2. Rinse each stick thoroughly to remove all food residue
If the pegs are sticky from the popsicle tracks, then the pet will have some difficulty climbing on them.
Wait for the sticks to dry completely
Step 3. Join the sticks together using non-toxic glue
This detail is very important, because the hamster could gnaw on the ladder and inadvertently eat some glue. If you don't want your fluff to feel bad, use the right materials.
Wait for the glue to harden and dry completely
Step 4. Insert the ladder into the cage
At this point you can put it wherever you want inside the hamster house, be creative!
- Place the ladder at the base of the cage and have it lead to another toy.
- You can also use it as a bridge between two toys; for example, two cardboard boxes or milk packs.
Part 2 of 5: The Tunnel
Step 1. Gather all the materials you need to build a tunnel
You will need several cardboard tubes of toilet paper, substrate, some cardboard boxes and a sharp tool (scissors, knife, cutter). In the next steps you will find the details.
- Instead of cardboard boxes, you can use shoe boxes, empty milk packs or tea packs.
- Since the boxes are not transparent, you cannot see your pet when it is in the tunnel. Even if you can't see him, just know he's having a blast!
Step 2. Cut out circular holes in the boxes
Pass the cardboard tubes of the toilet paper through these holes. To make sure the holes are the correct size, you should first outline them on the box.
Drill holes in different places in the boxes, so that the hamster has more exits and entrances to choose from when going through the tunnels
Step 3. Insert the cardboard tubes into the holes
If you have trouble getting them in, make the holes a little wider. If you force them, you will change their shape and the hamster may have a hard time crossing them.
Use non-toxic glue to attach the pipes to the holes
Step 4. Cover the tunnel with substrate
In this way the pet will have to work hard to find the tunnel and play!
Even if you've covered the tunnel with substrate material, leave a clear opening for the hamster to access
Part 3 of 5: The Two-Story House
Step 1. Get all the materials you need
To make a two-story house you will need two empty boxes of paper tissues, a pair of scissors, a ruler, non-toxic glue and several tubes of toilet paper rolls, as well as many pieces of fabric.
Square tissue boxes are more suitable for this project than rectangular ones
Step 2. With scissors, prune the plastic opening out of the boxes
This will make it easier for the hamster to go through the login.
Step 3. Stack the boxes on top of each other and glue them together
This allows you to create the lower and upper floors of the house.
- Stack the boxes so that the top openings face one to the right and the other to the left.
- The two openings must not be on the same side of the house.
Step 4. Measure the distance between the top opening and the floor with the help of a ruler
This value lets you know how long the pipe that you will make as a passage from the upper to the lower floor must be.
Step 5. Create a hallway using the tubes from the toilet rolls
You will have to connect several of them to build a tunnel that leads from the upper floor to the lower one (and vice versa).
- Use only non-toxic glue to secure the tubes together.
- Always using the non-toxic glue, fix the fabric inside the tunnel. This will provide the hamster with a little more grip, so that he can easily get on and off the tube.
- Make sure that the passage is not too steep, otherwise the hamster will not be able to walk it.
Step 6. Attach the tunnel to the opening of the second floor box
Always use non-toxic glue and not duct tape for this operation. By doing this you are certain that it will not move when the hamster walks through it.
If the opening is round, use scissors and cut the base of the opening in a straight line
Part 4 of 5: The Labyrinth
Step 1. Grab a handful of toilet roll tubes
The amount depends on how complicated you want the maze to be.
Step 2. Put the tubes inside each other
To preserve their cylindrical shape, avoid forcing them.
Step 3. Use non-toxic glue to join them
Hamsters love to chew on cardboard, so you need to be sure the glue won't harm your specimen.
Step 4. Place the rows of tubes in different directions inside the cage
This way you create a kind of labyrinth. The more creative you are in the arrangement of the tunnels, the more challenging the maze will be for your pet.
- If you prefer to put the path outside the cage, check the hamster carefully, so that it does not harm itself or try to escape.
- Household materials you can use to build a maze include empty shoe boxes, cylindrical boxes from oatmeal, and tubes of cling film.
Step 5. Place a candy at the end of the maze
The scent will attract the hamster and stimulate him to walk the track faster to enjoy the delicacy.
Part 5 of 5: The Obstacle Course
Step 1. Get all the items you need for the obstacle course
You can use just about anything to make this project, such as paper cups, cardboard tubes from toilet rolls, toy cars, and building bricks.
Keep in mind that the toy cars are painted and that the hamster could get sick if he gnawed on some paint. Watch him carefully and remove the models if you notice him starting to nibble on them
Step 2. Arrange the objects on a large surface
You can take advantage of a free space on the floor of the room, outside the cage or the bathtub or a large cardboard box.
If you opt for the bathtub, protect it with a cloth. In this way the animal will not be able to slip because it will have more grip while running between obstacles
Step 3. Also place treats along the way
The scent will attract your little friend and motivate him to overcome obstacles along the track with greater speed.
Step 4. Always monitor your pet
You need to make sure that he doesn't ingest pieces of the obstacles that could make him sick.
Advice
- Be creative when making toys for your hamster! However, if your rodent friend doesn't seem interested, continue to work with your imagination and build something that you're sure he really likes.
- Hide the toys under the cage substrate. The hamster loves to hide and by burying toys you will encourage him to engage in this behavior.
- When you want to pick up a toy, make sure the animal is not inside or on the outside surface to prevent it from falling and hurting itself.
- Since hamsters like to nibble, you'll need to regularly replace toy parts made from cardboard.
- Give your pet some extra stimulation by hiding treats, such as pieces of fruit, inside the toys scattered around the cage. If he doesn't eat them within 24 hours, throw the morsels away.
