Bendy bridges safe?

[Vierville]

Hello everyone.

I've just bought a bendy bridge for my hamster's new habitat. I've never used one before and I intend using it as a ramp to give him access from his lower level to his upper level.

The bendy bridge has some gaps between the sticks in places...is this safe? I've read some horror stories about hamsters getting their feet or leg stuck in the spaces between the sticks but apparently this is only if a bendy bridge is used on its side as a dividing barrier and not as a ramp or bridge?

Thanks for any advice.

[VOESSY]

I use lots of bendy bridges and fix this issue with stuffing the gaps with moss. If necessary I glue it in to make sure it stays. It has worked perfectly for me so far and it gives a nice texture.

[Ria P]

I've always used lots of bendy bridges and never had an issue. I use them on their side as a divider as well but a different type. The ones that come painted in different colours don't have gaps. I have seen some really bad ones in the shops with big gaps because the sticks weren't straight but i don't buy those.

[LunaTheHamster1]

If it has gaps in it, you can fill with bedding or as Vossey said moss. If you are using it as a bridge and it has gaps in the flat surface it will still need filling. It's not just if you use it on it's side. Hope that makes sense.

[Pebbles82]

They vary in quality - some have gaps and some don’t . I’ve sent the odd one back to get a better one. I also had similar concerns and now use the smooth wood bendy stick bridges rather than the bark wood ones but have also stuck hemp mat over bark wood ones before (when I was worried about a hamster falling in one from the roof bars). Some of them have sharper knobbly bits as well. Not sure where you got it but you could swap it. Different brands vary in quality as well. Catching a foot is more an issue for a dwarf hamster than a Syrian - unless the gaps are particularly big (I did have one like that).

Moss sounds a good idea.