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Old 05-08-2016, 12:57 PM   #1
ScoobyWoo
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Default Is this safe?

I'm new to HC and haven't yet got my hamster...I've been reading LOTS AND LOTS of threads on the forum and now am a bit concerned about a toy we have ordered...

It's this one:

Wood Hanging Bridge for Small Pets

Is it safe or are the chains dangerous? Could we swap the chains for a natural string like this:

30M 2 PLY Natural Brown Jute Hessian Burlap Twine Sisal Rustic String Cord | eBay

Would that make it a safer toy?

Thank you
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Old 05-08-2016, 01:00 PM   #2
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Generally toys with chains are considered unsafe.In birds and hamsters it can cause toe injuries and things like that,so the chains would have to be completely changed out and then you have the separate issue of bridges with gaps in between being considered unsafe as well due to risk of foot injury.Overall I'd say don't waste your money,since you can make or purchase better toys.It would take a lot of modification to make it safe
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Old 05-08-2016, 01:23 PM   #3
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Change the chains for the string and add plenty of substrate underneath incase of falls.
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Old 05-08-2016, 01:41 PM   #4
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Even with lots of substrate underneath there's a risk of getting a foot stuck that just isn't worth it.If there is space to get it out,that's not necessarily eliminating the stress caused by getting a foot stuck in the first place
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Old 05-08-2016, 01:54 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is this safe?

If the chains were removed and string added instead (as I mentioned above) where would the risk of the foot getting stuck be?
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Old 05-08-2016, 01:58 PM   #6
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Default Re: Is this safe?

There are gaps in between the rungs of the ladders,which would have to be modified as well.
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Old 05-08-2016, 09:46 PM   #7
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Default Re: Is this safe?

I wouldn't bother with that tbh, those sorts of open rung ladders & chains are just an accident waiting to happen!
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Old 05-08-2016, 11:04 PM   #8
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Thanks for the replies. I've already ordered it but at only £3 it doesn't matter that it's not really useable and I'm sure I can pinch elements off it to use to make other toys. We just liked the idea of this one as we thought it would be nice to have something hanging.

Thanks again
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Old 05-09-2016, 01:25 AM   #9
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Agree - they are a waste of money unfortunately and a bit of a hazard. If you want to use parts of it, I would remove all the chains, rope and metal rings and glue a piece of wood on the back of the ladders with pet-safe glue and just use them as ramps (the original rungs will make grips on the ramps if that makes sense. Even then the small rings on the end of the ladders are a risk for getting a toe or foot caught and hanging by it. Or send it back for a refund?

Be careful with the string too - sisal string is safe (although I think it needs to be untreated sisal string) but the listing calls it jute/hemp as well which sounds like it's just a kind of natural string and not necessarily sisal.

I wasted money on things like that too! They are often badly made, break and some have nails in as well. Bendy bridges are good toys and very versatile - you can make them into tunnels, bridges or ramps.

It isn't just the chains, the open rung ladders are a risk for falls onto something underneath, and aren't very easy to walk on for hamsters. I don't think they actually enjoy them either - they maybe just climb up there to see if it leads to a way out.

The best thing you can give them is lots of deep substrate to move around, burrow in etc, and a good sized house to build a nest in that is nice and dark inside and a few tunnels and hidey places on the floor or on shelves.

As a general rule, rat sized toys are better for Syrians as well, so anything marked "hamster" is likely to be only big enough for a dwarf hamster.

Ranchhouse cages have some colourful bendy bridges that screw to the bars to make a ladder or platform as well.

BRIDGE HOUSE SHELF RAMP CHIPMUNK,HAMSTER,RAT,DEGU CAGE | eBay

These coconut houses are nice hidey places (this one has a hole big enough for a syrian).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Pet-T...+coconut+house

Rat sputniks are good to hang from the roof (at rat rations you can choose the colours of the top and bottom parts)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobby-Sputn...ds=rat+sputnik

Sputnik - XL - £4.99 : ratRations.com

These tunnels are nice, and the hyacinth one is nice for them to chew on (it's quite soft). The small size is large enough for a syrian.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Bo...yacinth+tunnel

This rat tube can be tied to the sides or roof of a cage but the chains need removing. You can also get paper string as well as sisal string for tying things on (if you google paper string, craft shops sell it) - but it still needs keeping an eye on in case they chew through it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Giant...savic+rat+tube

Zooplus sell the sputnik and rat tunnel cheaper but sometimes it works out cheaper in postage to get things all from the same place.

I like these as in cage toys as well - but I put them in the freezer for a few days first in case the hay has any mites or other things living in it. They are safe to chew - it's cardboard and the hay and dried carrot are stuck on with vegetable starch.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Na...ottage+hamster

The only reason to have hanging toys really, is to block a gap where they could fall from the roof in a tall cage, and even then the hanging toy needs access so best next to a shelf. Generally hamsters are diggers rather than climbers and tend to only climb to get from a to b if there's no other access, or to see if they can escape through the top! Which is why setting the cage up so they can't fall too far, or on to something hard, is important

I'm sure others will have toy recommendations too. Assume it's for a Syrian!

Last edited by Pebbles82; 05-09-2016 at 01:39 AM.
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Old 05-09-2016, 12:25 PM   #10
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Thanks for the recommendations Serendipity. I'm not bothered about sending it back at £3, we might well make the ladders into ramps at some point- we'll see.

We have a few bendy bridges already and have a few more on order (coming with the cage)
We already have one of those soft(ish) tunnels too and have been saving plain cardboard boxes etc to make hidey's and tunnels for playtime. We have some grassy mat things on order (with the cage) and a few other bits so we've made a start on sensible and safe toys. Although I might consider a few more tunnel type things.

We're not sure about a house yet (for neesting)...we have one but it is incredibly small- much smaller than we thought it was when we ordered it- again it was cheap so we've kept it and can possibly use it as a "filler" to make a step up or something. We're going to wait and see if we like the one with the Barney and if it's not big enough either, we'll get a new one.

Thanks again
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