How to Build a Hamster Playground
Pet hamsters are fun, cuddly rodents. But, they don't like to be held for more than a few minutes at a time. To enjoy them out of their cage, and still handle them frequently, try building a hamster playground. The playground allows the hamster time away from their cage and extra exercise and provides amusement for humans. You can still reach in and pet your hamster, then, when he becomes agitated, place him back on the playground and watch him explore the variety of play stations you have created for him.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Plastic tub
- Bedding
- Hamster toys
- Water bottle and holder
- Food and treats
- Hand sanitizer gel
Instructions
-
-
1
Buy a large plastic storage tub. Select one that has tall enough sides to prevent your hamster from climbing over. Wash the tub with a mild bleach water solution and rinse it with clear water until there is no smell of bleach left. Throughly dry the plastic tub.
-
2
Place hamster bedding in the bottom of the plastic tub. Use recycled wood pulp bedding, paper bedding, aspen pellet bedding or ground-up corn cobs. Do not use wood shavings with aromatic oils. These can cause upper respiratory infections in small mammals.
-
-
3
Choose a variety of toys for the hamster playground. Go to a large pet store and browse the small animal section for ideas. Choose larger toys that the hamster can't usually use in his home. Choose from long connecting tubes and tall climbing toys. Select toys they can climb through, over and under. Pick brightly colored toys in a variety of materials such as wood, plastic and cardboard.
-
4
Set up food and water stations in the hamster playground. Choose a unique food bowl that looks like a picnic table or is decorated with paw prints. Attach a side-mounted water bottle to the plastic tub. Be sure it hangs down low enough for your hamster to reach.
-
5
Place treats around the hamster playground to encourage your rodent to exercise and discover new areas of the playground. Choose from dried fruits and pre-packaged treats available at larger pet stores. Yogurt drops, seed treat logs and wooden chews are a few favorites.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Place a container of hand sanitizer gel outside the playground so children get in the habit of cleaning their hands before and after petting their hamster. Dirty hands are enticing to hamsters. If they smell leftover food, they will nibble.
Never leave a hamster unattended on a hamster playground. If a climbing toy is left too close to the edge of the playground, the hamster may just be able to climb out. Always supervise children playing with a hamster.
