Is this toy safe?

[iFallOffStuff]

My sister insisted on buying a toy for the hamsters we'll soon to be purchasing (I admit I went along, it looked fun) On further inspection, it looks quite unsafe, it has rungs on the ladder and is held by chains.

Q : What makes rungs unsafe for hamsters? I don't know why people say no rungs.

The Toy : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Smal.../dp/B001BYKV6W

Any easy fixes to make it safe?

[AmityvilleHams]

That wouldn't be safe for several reasons.Firstly,chains are a major risk of trapping toes and potentially pulling them out thus making a hamster bleed until either their owner finds out and stops the bleeding or they bleed to death(sounds harsh,but very realistic).The second problem I can see is the mentioned rungs.

There is no easy fix for this,as basically all of the toy parts would be unsafe.You'd be putting in at least the cost of the toy to get suitable glue(Elmer's glue being best,or at the very least a glue which publicly states no usage of animal parts if you can even find that),popsicle sticks(no dye,as dyed ones are not to be considered safe due to likely artificial dyes which should never be given to hamsters or any animal for that matter),etc.To make it a hanging toy would still not be a very safe option even with safe string(sisal,hemp,or jute)as the design would be a fall risk regardless of hanging material and closing up the gaps.

Rungs are considered unsafe due to the very real danger they pose to hamsters as they make toys much more likely to cause a fall.With hamsters,a fall can lead to anything from broken bones to death,so this is extremely dangerous and therefore must be avoided as with any other toy that would be a fall risk

[iFallOffStuff]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

That wouldn't be safe for several reasons.Firstly,chains are a major risk of trapping toes and potentially pulling them out thus making a hamster bleed until either their owner finds out and stops the bleeding or they bleed to death(sounds harsh,but very realistic).The second problem I can see is the mentioned rungs.

There is no easy fix for this,as basically all of the toy parts would be unsafe.You'd be putting in at least the cost of the toy to get suitable glue(Elmer's glue being best,or at the very least a glue which publicly states no usage of animal parts if you can even find that),popsicle sticks(no dye,as dyed ones are not to be considered safe due to likely artificial dyes which should never be given to hamsters or any animal for that matter),etc.To make it a hanging toy would still not be a very safe option even with safe string(sisal,hemp,or jute)as the design would be a fall risk regardless of hanging material and closing up the gaps.

Rungs are considered unsafe due to the very real danger they pose to hamsters as they make toys much more likely to cause a fall.With hamsters,a fall can lead to anything from broken bones to death,so this is extremely dangerous and therefore must be avoided as with any other toy that would be a fall risk

Thanks, it was only £3 so should be fine.

[Crystalroborovski]

I'd have to agree with amity, this toy isn't safe for several reasons, most hanging platforms and such aren't. There are much safer alternatives that are just as fun though Good luck on the future hamsters!