Favorite hamster toys for robos?

[Crystalroborovski]

Hi there! In a couple of months, I will be getting a pair of robos (Yes, I've done my research on pairs) and I wanted to ask- to all the experienced hamster owners out there, what hamster toys are your favorites? I am looking for toys that would be suitable for robos, safe for hamsters, suitable for a pair of hamsters, and fairly inexpensive (probably nothing over $20). Keep in mind that I live in the USA, so some hamster toys found in Europe are not available in my country. Thanks!

[AmityvilleHams]

There's really not much you can do with pairs Research tends to just point towards not using platforms or levels of any sort,no tubes,no houses with single entrances,etc but it doesn't acknowledge whether or not it is natural(it isn't except with mixed sexes which creates the problem of babies)or that it just doesn't allow the same enrichment and cages are often much smaller than the amount of floor space an individual should have let alone enough floor space for two hamsters.

Considering a robo is a nervous species as is and there are so few potential hiding spaces that are appropriate for pairs,you're ending up with massively stressed hamsters.Not only is there the stress of too little space(even a robo needs a decent amount of space,and pairs being housed in small cages get very little of that compared to a single robo housed in the same or larger),but there's the stress of an unnatural living situation as mentioned(you might prefer it and find it cute,but it isn't a good thing to have stressed hamsters who are more prone to illness and just won't be as happy as they would be alone with more enrichment and more of their own space).

[Crystalroborovski]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

There's really not much you can do with pairs Research tends to just point towards not using platforms or levels of any sort,no tubes,no houses with single entrances,etc but it doesn't acknowledge whether or not it is natural(it isn't except with mixed sexes which creates the problem of babies)or that it just doesn't allow the same enrichment and cages are often much smaller than the amount of floor space an individual should have let alone enough floor space for two hamsters.

Considering a robo is a nervous species as is and there are so few potential hiding spaces that are appropriate for pairs,you're ending up with massively stressed hamsters.Not only is there the stress of too little space(even a robo needs a decent amount of space,and pairs being housed in small cages get very little of that compared to a single robo housed in the same or larger),but there's the stress of an unnatural living situation as mentioned(you might prefer it and find it cute,but it isn't a good thing to have stressed hamsters who are more prone to illness and just won't be as happy as they would be alone with more enrichment and more of their own space).

The cage I'm getting is 650+ sq. inches, so I'm pretty sure it's big enough for 2 hamsters. So in terms of toys, do you have any reccomendations at all? And from what I'm getting in the way you replied, it sounds like you're saying that getting a pair will just create massive amounts of stress for both hamsters. From the several sources I've read from and done research from (updated sources, of course) I haven't really found anybody saying that housing 2 robos together just stresses them out. I'm prepared for a pair, and I also live very close to someone who has a pair of robos whom I ask advice from often. Please understand that I'm not getting a pair just because I think it'll be cute to see two little hamsters snuggled up with each other. I've got many other reasons why, so I'm not just diving headfirst into this just because I like animals/hamsters.

[cypher]

I think the best toys are often the cheap or free things! Bendy bridges are always good for safe climbing & hiding under, egg boxes make a great place to hide treats or food as long as you cut a hole in each end that should be safe for a pair, toilet roll or kitchen roll tubes are good in a similar way & you can do a lot with just a small cardboard box, robos favourite things are probably digging & foraging so a nice sandbath is a must, maybe even two for a pair, & plenty of deep substrate, you don't really need fancy toys to keep them happy!

[Crystalroborovski]

Thank you cypher! I've been saving up some toilet paper rolls and such so I'll have materials for DIY toys. I was definitely going to include a sand bath- or "sand section" in my cage as I do know that robos usually like rolling around in the sand. and thanks for a friendly reply

[flowerfairy]

My two both love their sand baths and one has a tunnel with holes in. So cute when she pops her out of one of them. She also has a little wooden house with kind of ramp up to it where she looks for food each evening. I love hiding food around their cages for them to find.

Yep loo roll inners and really deep substrate. Good luck.

Also my two both love their karlie wooden wheels from zooplus.

[Pebbles82]

Loads of substrate 25cm to 30cm deep if you can - they can have fun digging tunnel systems. Assume you already know about two of everything. Two houses, two wheels, two food bowls, two water bottles, no levels.

You could make a couple of good houses out of shoe boxes. If you cut the bottom out and cut two holes in the front for doors you can have a house with two entrances (one at each long end of the box maybe) and also a lift-off roof! The lid. That way you can check inside without having to lift the house out and destroy the nest.

They also need some kind of overhead cover or they can feel a bit exposed from above (partly why they tunnel I think). I like the big cork logs you can get in reptile shops. It's plenty big enough for two robos to be inside so you won't get one blocking the entrance and being territorial.

It also gives something to climb over and an interesting texture and will cover a lot of floor space, but is light so won't sink in the substrate. They tend to be a bit dusty and mucky when you get them but just need a rinse and then drying out. It's also a good idea to freeze cork items for a week before use (or bake them) to make sure there are no microscopic things living inside.

These sandblasted branches are also good - something to hide under and run up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C0PCIZI?psc=1

I also like these balls. Especially the hyacinth one which is good for sticking treats in that they chew at to get out. I'm a bit wary of the wicker one in case it's sharp when chewed but the other two are ok.

https://www.amazon.com/Niteangel-Sma...=trio+of+balls

They can have fun pushing them around and trying to get treats out.

Pairs of robos like snuggling together too, so round hidey place toys could be good like a coconut shell - as long as the entrance hole is big enough - or maybe one with two entrance holes.

So I'd say keep it simple but add to the enrichment with textures and variety. Individual toys could lead to fighting - unless you have two of them maybe

[Crystalroborovski]

Ok thanks! Yeah, I did know about the two water bottle, two wheel, two hideout etc rule for pairs. And thanks for the reccomendations- I'll check those out!

[Pebbles82]

For a pair you'd need a good amount of floorspace - apart from anything else, to fit the two of everything in! Something like a 40 gallon breeder tank is good - or a detolf. 650 square inches sounds good though. What cage is it? Tanks or bin cages tend to be best as it's hard to find cages with narrow bar spacing in the US. There is a very good one though - the Marchioro Kevin - it's quite expensive though - costs about $120.

The two of everything is so they can't get territorial over something and fight over it. So if they have one each they can both use one without fighting over it. Often they share one anyway, but having two means they have the option.

It's very common for pairs to end up fighting and having to be separated unless the cage is set up with two of everything and no levels and I believe it's also recommended to take them both out of the cage at the same time and not take one out and leave the other one in. All to avoid them falling out. But it is good for them to live in a pair as well, so if you're prepared then hopefully everything will go well and they will stay bonded You might need to have access to a spare cage or bin cage handy, just in case they need separating. If you have a couple of bins you could use one as a temporary place while you turn the other one into a bin cage Just in case.

[cypher]

Serendipity it's no food bowls for pairs rather than two!

I don't think the branches would really be suitable for robos, they are better at climbing than you might think but not natural climbers like Chineseys & might just have a go, fall off & hurt themselves.