How to Make a Hamster Chew Toy at Home

Hamsters are curious and make amusing pets.

Homemade hamster toys keep these inquisitive pets busy. They chew on items to wear their teeth down and to entertain themselves. If you do not switch out the toys occasionally, the hamster may become bored and start to chew on the metal bars of its cage. This causes misaligned teeth and may eventually cause other more severe problems. Making homemade chew toys helps you keep your hamster happy and content.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors
• Non-toxic glue
• Empty wood thread spool (optional)
• Branch from a fruit tree (optional)
• Empty toilet paper roll (optional)
• Shredded paper or hamster food (optional)
• Unpainted wood block Branch from a fruit tree (optional)

Instructions

1. Spread newspaper on your work surface.

2. Glue two Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors together by overlapping the ends a bit and using a non-toxic glue. Repeat this with two more sticks. Allow the glue time to dry. This forms the sides of a hamster ladder.

3. Set the two glued sticks side by side about 3 inches apart on the newspaper.

4. Form the rails of the hamster ladder by adding more Popsicle sticks with the glue about 1 inch apart. Continue this until the hamster ladder rungs go the entire length of the side sticks. Allow time for the glue to dry.

5. Prop the ladder up on a brick or a large wood block in the hamster cage. The hamster can exercise on the ladder and chew on it when he is not playing.

Tips & Warnings

• Set an empty thread spool made out of wood into the cage. The hamster chews on the wood and pushes it around the cage.

• Cut a short branch from your apple or another type of fruit tree. The hamster gnaws on the branch and it is an inexpensive chew toy. Don't give your hamster fruit tree branches if they have been treated with chemicals. This may make your hamster quite ill or cause death.

• Give the hamster an empty toilet paper roll. Place some shredded paper or some treats inside the rolls to intrigue your pet. The hamster chews on the cardboard and gets exercise by running through the tunnel and then rolling it around.

• Place an unpainted, plain wood toy block inside the hamster cage for the pet to chew on.

References

• Ask the Vet: Hamster Toys
• Hamsterific.com; Stop the Cage Bar Chewing Hamster; Vixy Trixy