Would you like to give your hamster a few bird toys? Are they safe or will bird toys cause injury or harm to your hamster? In this article, we’ll discuss toys for hamsters with a focus on whether or not they can play with bird toys.
Can Hamsters Use Bird Toys? Yes. Some bird toys with plastics, ropes or gaps where your hamster’s delicate feet can get caught should be avoided. Most toys that are safe for birds are also safe for hamsters.
Why Do Hamsters Need Toys?
Hamsters are active and entertaining little companions to keep in our homes. They are looking to pull, tug, chew or play around throughout the day and we should give them things to do or play with.
Here are 5 reasons why we should give our hamsters toys:
- Toys support hamster health
- They keep boredom and depression away.
- You can bond with your hamster with toys.
- Active hamsters are happy hamsters.
- Toys are great for rewards.
1. Hamster Health
Hamsters need exercise. The energy they burn from playing with toys, running on wheels or tugging and chewing keeps their bodies fit. Chewing also helps grind down their teeth and prevent painful or asymmetrical overgrowth.
2. No Boredom Or Depression
A depressed hamster will be lethargic and lose interest in eating or interacting. Adding a hamster wheel or even bird toys to tug and chew on will keep your hamster occupied.
Toys keep hamsters from being mischievous or potentially risk harming themselves by doing things that are risky or unwanted.
3. Great For Bonding
Do you want to build a relationship with your hamster? You can bond together build trust. Your hamster will come to you and respond to your hand or arm positively.
Bring over a toy, play fetch or tug of war. Be joyful and give praise while playing together to promote a wonderful relationship and companionship.
4. Toys Make A Hamster Happy
A happy hamster is healthy and active. Allow for activity by making sure there are toys around for fun and exercise.
You may hear your hamster chirping and see it trying to jump around with joy when you introduce new toys or even leftover bird toys.
5. Toys Are Rewarding
If your hamster is well behaved or pays close attention to you, reward it with a new toy instead of a treat. Vocal or treat praising work well, but you can also praise with gifts like a toy from a bird or anything that isn’t made of plastic.
Can Hamsters Play With Bird Toys?
Birds are sensitive to many items that could be deemed harmful for them. Bird toys are developed with safety and efficacy in mind.
They are useful for enrichment and can also give an active hamster something to do. Try not to give your hamster bird toys that are made of cheap plastic. Your hamster will gnaw on it and potentially ingest some pieces.
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Which Bird Toys Are Not Safe For Hamsters?
There are many varieties of bird toys. Some of which are not intended for hamsters that like to chew incessantly on things they probably should not be gnawing on.
Other toys that have spaces where hamsters can get their feet stuck would be unsafe. Long wire, chains or rope could also be dangerous. Avoid the types of toys:
- chains
- thin plastics
- long strips of dangling fabric
- tough rope
- toys with gaps
- made of wood that splinters easily
What Toys Can Hamsters Play With?
There are many options for your hamster to play and exercise safely. Buying toys specifically for hamsters is your best bet, but sometimes we have leftover toys from birds that we may wish to include.
Any old toy that gets introduced to an inquisitive hamster is a new toy. Here are a list of popular hamster toys:
- exercise wheel
- chew toys
- tunnels
- hamster balls
- tube mazes
- slides
- apple sticks
- animal houses or play pens
- hamster ladders
What Can I Give My Hamster To Chew On?
You are looking to give your hamster chew toys or chewable ingestibles that are safe and will not cause any dangerous impaction if swallowed.
Paper towel rolls are popular as tunnels, but sometimes your hamster will choose to just chew on them instead. They are safe and will help to grind your hamster’s teeth down.
You can try to give your hamster dog biscuits as well that do not contain too many ingredients and are free of spices. Organic apple sticks are a great choice as well. Look for them in your local pet shop.
How Can I Help My Hamster Exercise?
Give your hamster toys to encourage its energy production. Here are a few options:
- Run-abouts
- Exercise ball
- Wheel Roller
Run-abouts
Run-abouts are plastic balls that you open and close with your hamster running freely inside. It’s safer than a wheel and reduces the chances of a hamster falling off.
Hamster Wheel
This is the most common and classic exercise toy for your hamster. They can be made of wood or plastic. The larger it is, the more sturdy and capable it can be to handle your hamster vigorous activity.
Wheel Roller
A wheel roller looks like a plate. The roller sits in a holder and it has a round surface. The smooth feel allows your hamster to run or job and hop off at will.
Note: Be careful with popsicle sticks. We have a beautiful picture below of a popsicle stick swing built as a DIY project for a hamster. The problem is that popsicle sticks splinter and create sharp pieces which would be harmful for your hamster if swallowed.
Will Hamsters Chew On Bird Toys?
Yes. Chew toys are vital for a hamster to reduce their teeth growth. They will chew and grind their teeth down on any bird toy you give your hamster. The following two options are our favorites:
- hard loofah sponge
- woven grass balls
Loofah
Loofah is great to exfoliate our skin, but it’s also a great combination of soft and firm to provide chewing fun. Your hamster with grind, floss and gnaw with its teeth on a nice piece of loofah.
Woven Grass Balls
Grass balls are great as they mimic your hamster’s natural desire to chew on grass. It’s a natural option that is also safe to ingest.
Conclusion
Bird toys are safe for hamsters as long as they don’t have plastic pieces, sharp edges or easily ingestible stringy ropes. Choose solid toys that are built well to provide as occasional options for you to switch out old toys and introduce new ones to liven your hamster’s playful mood.
Thank you for visiting HomePetHelp.com for information regarding hamsters and plenty of other pets that we greatly enjoy caring for. Please check out more articles that may interest you. See you next time!