Hamster toys and accessories from recycled household items thread

[lucy1666]

love the cereal box idea too i need to pile a few more on top to give muffin a challenge lol

[67455 hammy]

This really is awesome! thanks

[Dalis_mum]

Sorry if this has already mentioned in previous posts... I make Dali a kind of swinging seesaw from kitchen roll tubes (toilet tubes are too small for this [It is to do with the physics of pivots which may be to indepth to go into on a hamster forum and i don't know if dwarfs will be weighty enough to work it).

Instead of putting holes in the tube and using 2 strings to tie to the lid of tank/bars of cage, I loop the string through the tube and tie up top so there is one string looped round. When she tries to climb into tube it pulls one end down then as she proceeds through it 'seesaws' and out she hops at the other end. She loves it.

[RubyDG]

I posted this previously on another thread but thought I'd add it on here as well

Originally Posted by RubyDG

I made a playbox for Spike. It's just a big cardboard box that I put in small cardboard boxes and kitchen roll tubes. For me I picked a shallow box because I wanted something I could store under the shelf of his cage stand, I just put the flaps down and pack it away, but it could be made from any size box. I'd recommend a tall'ish box if you don't want your hammy getting out, Spike free ranges though so it's not something I had to take into consideration. What I did was basically build a city/playground/maze thing from the small boxes and connect them with the tubes and put everything inside the big box, that way it can be taken out and used and then put back quickly and easily. All the entrances are the same shape and size. I cut off the end of one of the tubes and used it as a template to draw circles on the boxes and cut them out. Any hole can then be either a doorway or be used to slot in a tube. That way all the boxes and tubes are interchangeable (I really hope my explanation made sense ). I then regularly change the layout and add in or take out new boxes. I hide treats inside boxes so Spike has to find them, it works a bit like a maze I suppose but it's really just for him to play in. Hopefully the picture will explain it better, I did add in two of his climbing toys in his most recent configuration.



It's just taking the idea of a homemade cardboard fortress/playground and compacting it all into a single big box for convenience. Making all the pieces interchangeable makes it quick and easy to rearrange since hamsters do get bored of things after awhile. Hiding treats in there is just added motivation and encourages them to explore. I have to say I'm absolutely terrible at DIY but the only things you need for this are the boxes, toilet/kitchen roll tubes, a pen, pair of scissors and some child safe glue. The glue I used very sparingly, just a drop here and there to hold a small box flap down and so on, remember you want to be able to take everything apart as well. The scissors for cutting obviously and the pen to mark the circle you need to cut out : just cut the end of the toilet roll tube, put it on the spot on the box you want the hole and swish the pen around the inside. That and your imagination makes it very simple and easy to do even for someone with zero skills like me .

I have two levels in his playbox, although you can't see the bottom configuration very well in the picture. I'm currently keeping an eye out for a bigger box, something of the same height but longer or wider. I would have to say it's my hamster's favorite out of cage toy, when he's done playing he just climbs out or falls asleep inside .

*Disclaimer: Please ignore any evidence of my cappuccino addiction

[Boo Boo]

Originally Posted by Kayla

Gonna get two winter white tomorrow and I'm already making them toys! I've seen a video on how to make these, but I'll try to explain as best as I can.
1) flatten a used up toilet paper roll
2) cut the roll into strips (however thick or thin as you'd like, I like to stay around half an inch or so)
3) cross the strips over each other (this step is easy, hard to explain though so look at the picture!)
4) fill with treats

Like this??????
What treats shall I put in for my Campbell????

[Dalis_mum]

I just made these from some egg trays donated to me by the greasy spoon.

Put some sunflower seeds and mealworms in the pockets of each, she went straight to the long thin one. she hasn't ventured close enough the the 2 layer plaform to notice it yet (she has a big tank, it sometimes takes a while).

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[SonicCharge]

I can't post pictures yet since it's not finished but I turned an empty box of coca cola cans (It was empty so I didn't have to drink all 24) Into a giant hideout/mini house that I may connect to a play pen (bought or home made) for when the cage needs cleaning. It's glued with flour and water and is going to be painted with non toxic home made paint. I'll post pictures when it's done and I'm happy with it.

[flowery]

You guys have really creative ideas and I love learning from all of you. Meanwhile just sharing a ramp my bf helped to design from a box. I place their sandbath pit on it and it can still support the weight.

[BellaSimone]

Originally Posted by Robynlynn32

Thought I'd share our little dwarf playing today. We made her this little peekaboo toy to play in the tub with us today. She loved it.

Love it!! Will need to try this!

[Wookiee]

I'm going to have a read of this whole thread now, and no idea if it's already been mentioned, but our Syrian uses an old cardboard gravy tub as his food store.

He was stowing food in his potty, which is hidden under his platform, so I put the gravy pot next to it, in between his nest and potty, and moved a couple of items from the potty. He clearly liked this idea because the next day he moved the rest of it himself and has been taking his treats there ever since

It makes it nice and easy to sift through for anything manky and replace his food store without him knowing that it's been interfered with too much.