HOUSING A HAMSTER :: HOMEMADE TOYS
Below you will find some hamster homemade toys ideas for your pet hamster.
Hamster Coconut House
To do a hamster coconut house, drain the liquid out of the coconut by making small holes in it. Then, set the coconut down on a table and mark out the place for the entrance of the coconut for the hamster to go in. Drill a 5 cm (2 inches) diameter hole where you want the entrance to be. Take out the coconut flesh and eat what you have scooped out! Wash the coconut from the inside and sand the edges of the hole if necessary.
Please note that it may be difficult to take out the coconut flesh. Another way is by putting the coconut overnight in the freezer after making the hole. The next day you will find the flesh separated from the shell and can be chipped away with a chisel. Please note that for the last procedure you will need the help of an adult!
Hamster Wooden House
Cut and sand two 12.5 cm (5 inches) pieces of wood and another two 14.5 cm (5.8 inches) pieces. In one of the 12.5 cm (5 inches) pieces, drill a 6 cm (2.5 inches) hole.
Then drill one or two windows in the 14.5 cm (5.8 inches) pieces using the 2.5 cm (1 inch) drill bit to provide good ventilation. After, sand all holes and nail the pieces together and it is important to make sure that the tip of the nail doesn't protrude through the wood, as this is could hurt your hamster.
Tubes for hamsters
Toilet paper rolls can be used as tubes for hamsters.
They are an excellent item for the hamsters since most of them enjoy toilet paper rolls. Hamsters love to explore toilet paper rolls and tubes. Using several toilet paper rolls in the hamster's cage will provide an interesting hideout for the hamster.
Toilet paper rolls can also serve as a chew toy for the hamster. Toilet paper rolls can be empty or else new ones like the pictures one the right. Some hamsters like to play in it and while other hamsters like also to tear the toilet paper into small pieces and make a nest out of it!
Hamster Maze
Hamster mazes are another hamster favourite. To put one together, you can use wrapping paper tubes, shoe boxes, plastic pretzel jars, cereal boxes, short lengths of PVC tubing, cylindrical oatmeal containers etc.
This is a fun project for all hamster owners and will also be a brainteaser for your hamster to have fun in! Put the maze into the play area and watch your hamster go!
Ramps for the hamster cage
Have a piece of wood, sand any rough areas and remove any splinters. Cut some slits; 2 mm deep for every centimetre along the wood to serve as a grip for your hamster.
Hamster Potty
First, find a small and sturdy plastic container with a lid. Then, cut a 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) diameter hole in the side of the container. Locate this hole about 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the base (1.3 cm [1/2 inch] for dwarf hamsters) so that litter won’t scatter when the hamster is doing his/her business! Last, sand the edge smooth for safe entries and exits. A homemade hamster potty, might have to be replaced from time to time if the plastic absorbs the urine odor or if the hamster shows any interest in gnawing it. You can also use a gnaw-proof glass potty instead. The great thing about a glass potty is that you will only need a 1-pint (500 ml) wide mouth jar or a ½ pint (250 ml) jam jar for a dwarf hamster – pop it into a corner of the cage and there you have it! An instant hamster restroom! It’s easy to clean, it’s not a tooth target and it will last as long as your hamster does. Just make sure that the toilet jar is big enough for your hamster to turn around in.
photo credit
by Albert Saliba