Building a platform: got some questions

ladyytanja · 06-10-2016, 03:42 PM

In the next week or two weeks I want to build a platform. I want to do it with wood, but I have no clue what type of wood is harmless to hamsters. I want to glue everything together with animal friendly clue, so I went on Google to search for animal friendly glue but I couldn't really find brand names. What brand have animal friendly glue? And my last question: how 'high' can a Russian dwarf hamster climb? I want to know how much cm can be between platforms/planks for her to climb up without the use of a ladder. Thanks!

climber008 · 06-10-2016, 04:20 PM

Well, currently I am using Melamine Wood to build my cage. I'm not exactly sure if it would be suitable for a platform, but I DO know it is safe for hamsters and is waterproof (to an extent.)

Rodent Fan · 06-10-2016, 06:11 PM

PVA glue (the kind of glue kids use at school) is safe for pets, and most glue sticks that you use in a glue gun is safe, just make sure it says non-toxic. You can find both of these on amazon. I'm interested to see what you make!

michyLS · 06-12-2016, 03:32 AM

My Russian dawft isn't a huge climber, he has a wooden shelf attatched to the cage bars and he gets onto it by climbing on one of those wooden bendy bridges which is just below.

GreySyrian · 06-12-2016, 05:56 AM

You could always make one of these

Many people use them and my hamsters have chewed on them and it's had no ill effect so it's safe. They'd be a good height for dwarfs as they aren't too high up.

Project IKEA - Platform/Level

Pebbles82 · 06-12-2016, 02:04 PM

That's a good idea

(the Ikea Knuff shelves)

You can actually buy quite a good platform for around £5, which isn't bad when you think of the cost of the bits and pieces to make one. It's quite tall but it's designed to stand above the height of the substrate. It's 21cm tall, so if you take 1.5 cm off that for the thickness of the actual platform top it is 19.5 cm from the base of the cage and if you have 15cm of substrate under it, it's only a 4.5cm gap to climb up. I think most platforms would need an access of some kind. Bendy bridge ladders are good for that. Or you could have a tube tied to the side of the cage that leads to the platform from a house roof or something, and a bendy bridge for getting up and down as well.

Anyway it's this platform - it's gone up to £9 on amazon but if you click on the link for other sellers they are selling it cheaper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natu...living+shelter

If you think that one is too high, there is also this one which is 17cm high and has a bit of a step up. It's quite wide - it would almost fill the depth of a cage - but the width includes the step.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-6226...living+shelter

Otherwise if you wanted to make one, just a piece of pine is ok - check it's kiln dried pine - most of it is. You can get a piece cut to size at a hardware store. Painting it with plastikote would waterproof it and seal it a bit. You can buy wood dowels for legs. Elmers school glue is one that is safe to use and I've seen used a lot for diy projects. It's an add-on at Amazon but again there are other sellers if you click on that link.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elmers-E304...7s+school+glue

ladyytanja · 06-12-2016, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the reply! The IKEA one looks awesome, too bad there isn't a IKEA close by but I'm definitely buying the KNUFF whenever I'm at IKEA. I actually found out about the Trixie platforms before checking back here haha, I'm going to buy one of their platforms! But thanks again for every tips!