Hamsters are fun pets and easy to care for. Like other pets, hamsters also need toys to keep them moving and active. However, you don't need to rush to the pet store to buy toys; You can make your own cheaply (or even free!) using things you have at home. Making your own toys is not only a fun activity for you, but your hamster will love playing with the toys you make.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making Stairs
Step 1. Collect some ice cream sticks
The number of sticks needed will depend on the height of the ladder to be made.
Step 2. Clean the ice cream stick to remove any food residue or ice cream sticking
Sticky food residue can make the surface of the stick sticky so that later it will be difficult for the hamster to climb the ladder made of the stick.
Dry the washed ice cream sticks until they are completely dry
Step 3. Glue the ice cream sticks using non-toxic glue
It is important that you use non-toxic glue, as your hamster may bite the stick and, accidentally, eat the glue used. Don't let your hamster get sick after eating a certain part of the toy.
Let the glue dry completely
Step 4. Place the ladder inside the cage
Get creative by placing the ladder in different places.
- Place the ladder from the bottom of the cage and lead it to a higher floor or level. On that floor or level, place another toy.
- The ladder can also be used as a bridge between different toys, such as cardboard boxes or milk cartons.
Method 2 of 5: Creating a Tunnel
Step 1. Gather the materials needed to make the tunnel
You will need a few unused toilet paper tubes, a few small cardboard boxes, and a cutting tool (eg a knife, scissors, or cardboard knife).
- In addition to cardboard boxes, you can also use shoe boxes, milk cartons, or empty tea cartons.
- Since the boxes are not see-through, you won't be able to see your hamster easily when he's in the tunnel. Nonetheless, believe me he's having fun in there.
Step 2. Make a circle hole in the cardboard box
The hole will be entered by the toilet paper tube. In order for the holes made to have the right size, it's a good idea to draw the outline of a circle on the surface of the box by following the circumference of the circle.
Make several different holes in the box to give your hamster more options for getting in and out of the tunnel
Step 3. Insert the toilet paper tube into the holes that have been made
If the tube does not fit into the hole, slightly increase the diameter of the hole made. If you forcefully insert the tube, it will change its shape or become damaged, making it difficult for the hamster to enter and move around in it.
Use non-toxic glue to glue the tube to the hole
Step 4. Hide the tunnel under the pile of cage mats
This way, your hamster will have to work harder and will find it challenging to play in the tunnel.
Even if the tunnel will be buried under the cage mat, do not cover the end of the tunnel with the cage mat so your hamster can get in or out of the cage easily
Method 3 of 5: Making a Two-Story Hamster House
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
To make a two-story hamster house, you'll need two empty tissue boxes, scissors, a ruler, non-toxic glue, a few unused toilet paper tubes, and some cloth.
A square tissue box can be a better choice than a rectangular tissue box
Step 2. Use scissors to cut the plastic openings in the tissue box
By cutting the plastic opening, it will be easier for your hamster to fit into the hole or opening in the tissue box.
Step 3. Stack the tissue boxes and glue them together with glue
By stacking two tissue boxes, you can create a ground floor and an upper floor for your hamster's house.
- Stack the two tissue boxes with the opening of each box facing to the right or left.
- The two openings must not face the same side; one of the tissue boxes should face a different side.
Step 4. Use a ruler to measure the distance from the top opening in the tissue box to the bottom
By measuring that distance, you'll figure out the length of the toilet paper tube it would take to make your way up to the top floor.
Step 5. Make a path or tunnel using a toilet paper tube
You may need several tubes that are connected to make a fairly long path or tunnel from the ground floor to the upper floor.
- Use non-toxic glue to attach the tissue tube to another tube if necessary.
- Use glue to attach the cloth to the inside of the toilet paper tube. The cloth can prevent the track surface from being slightly slippery so the hamster can move up and down through the tube with ease.
- Make sure the path is not too steep so that the hamster has no difficulty climbing up or down the tube.
Step 6. Glue the end of the tube to the opening in the top box (top floor of the hamster's house)
Use glue (not adhesive tape) to glue the end of the tube to the opening in the top box. This way, the tube won't slide as your hamster goes up or down the tube.
If the opening in the tissue box is round, use scissors to cut the bottom of the opening to make a straight line
Method 4 of 5: Creating a Labyrinth
Step 1. Collect some unused toilet paper tubes
The more complicated the maze you want to make, the more tubes you'll need.
Step 2. Connect the toilet paper tubes
To prevent the tube from being deformed or damaged, make sure you don't force it to connect.
Step 3. Use glue to glue the tissue tube to the other tube
Your hamster will likely bite the cardboard tube you're using, so make sure you use a non-toxic type of glue so it doesn't hurt.
Step 4. Place rows of tubes in the cage in different directions
This way, you can form a kind of maze. The more creative you are with orienting the tube, the more challenging the maze made for your hamster will be.
- If you want to place the maze outside of the cage, watch your hamster closely so it doesn't escape or get injured.
- Other items you can use to make a maze include an unused shoe box, oat (or other cereal) packaging tube, and gift wrapping paper tube.
Step 5. Place the treats at the end of the maze
The smell of the treats wafting throughout the labyrinth tube will encourage your hamster to move faster so he can get his treats.
Method 5 of 5: Creating Obstacle Paths
Step 1. Gather the materials needed to create an obstacle course
You can use a variety of items to create a hamster obstacle course, including paper cups, toilet paper tubes, small toy cars, and toy blocks.
Note that small toy cars may be coated with paint which can make your hamster sick if he eats them. Therefore, watch him closely when he is playing and immediately grab the toy car if he starts to bite the toy
Step 2. Arrange or position the items in a large open area
You can place or arrange obstacle courses on the floor (outside of the cage). In addition, you can also arrange them in a soaking tub or large cardboard box.
If you are using a soaking tub, cover the tub with a towel first. The towels used can provide more friction on the surface of the feet when the hamster moves through the obstacle course (in this case, the floor will not be slippery)
Step 3. Place the treats along the obstacle course
The smell of the treats will encourage your hamster to move faster through the obstacle course you create.
Step 4. Watch your hamster closely
You need to make sure he doesn't eat or bite things in the obstacle path that could make him sick.
Tips
- Show your creativity when making hamster toys. However, if your hamster doesn't seem interested in the toy being made, use your imagination to create a toy that he will obviously like.
- Hide the toys under the cage mat. Hamsters love to dig and nest so by hiding their toys under the cage mat, you can encourage them to dig and nest.
- When picking up a toy, always make sure your hamster is not inside or outside the toy. This is done to prevent the hamster from falling off the toy and getting injured.
- Since hamsters love to nibble on things, you may need to replace all or some of the cardboard toys on a regular basis.
- Enrich your hamster's toys or entertainment by hiding treats, such as small pieces of fruit, in his cage and toys. Throw away the treat if he hasn't eaten it in 24 hours.
