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Old 10-26-2020, 06:43 AM   #1
Ker2195
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Default Natural housing

Hi, I have just acquired a gorgeous little winter white and this is the first time I have had a hamster in about 30 years only to discover that as a child I did everything completely wrong.
I have been watching some excellent YouTube channels and am loving the idea of a natural cage. I currently have a bin cage but have purchased a wardrobe I will be modifying.
What I would like to know is what I can put in, I have all the sticks, etc from the pet shops but would like to add pine cones, bark, autumn leaves maybe?? Can I do this and if so, do I need to treat anything before putting in the cage and what should I avoid?
Thank you in advance for your help and hopefully little Hamish will be happy in his new abode
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Old 10-26-2020, 08:24 AM   #2
cypher
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Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Natural housing

Congrats on your new ham!

A few things to consider before using furniture to make a cage, do you know what kind of wood it’s made from, is there any glue or varnish that may be toxic & are there any nails, screws etc that could be a danger.
Any wooden cage needs to be coated with a non toxic paint like plastikote water based enamel to pee proof it but you do also have to think about any bits that could possibly be chewed.

For a natural cage you can use things like moss & dried flowers, best to buy these rather than collect them from outside, some people advise against pine cones but I have used them without any problems but again bought ones rather than collecting them.
If you get anything from outside like leaves make sure they are a safe species, also be aware that other todents, dogs etc could have been on them if on the ground & even if on a tree they could carry toxins or disease.
Any natural material even if bought should be frozen for at least a week just in case of any bugs.
Cork tunnels & tubes are great for a natural looking cage, coconuts are good as a natural type of hideout too.
Have you decided which substrate you want to use? Hemp can be good & has a nice natural look, I found the Hugro hemp to be good but others to be too sharp or dusty, wood shavings may be ok but some hams can be allergic to them.
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Old 10-27-2020, 05:26 AM   #3
Ithuviel
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Location: Romania
Posts: 310
Default Re: Natural housing

Its very good that you are researching. I also did everything wrong as a child. Good luck
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Old 10-28-2020, 04:48 PM   #4
JKHamsters
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Join Date: Oct 2020
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Default Re: Natural housing

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
Congrats on your new ham!

A few things to consider before using furniture to make a cage, do you know what kind of wood it’s made from, is there any glue or varnish that may be toxic & are there any nails, screws etc that could be a danger.
Any wooden cage needs to be coated with a non toxic paint like plastikote water based enamel to pee proof it but you do also have to think about any bits that could possibly be chewed.

For a natural cage you can use things like moss & dried flowers, best to buy these rather than collect them from outside, some people advise against pine cones but I have used them without any problems but again bought ones rather than collecting them.
If you get anything from outside like leaves make sure they are a safe species, also be aware that other todents, dogs etc could have been on them if on the ground & even if on a tree they could carry toxins or disease.
Any natural material even if bought should be frozen for at least a week just in case of any bugs.
Cork tunnels & tubes are great for a natural looking cage, coconuts are good as a natural type of hideout too.
Have you decided which substrate you want to use? Hemp can be good & has a nice natural look, I found the Hugro hemp to be good but others to be too sharp or dusty, wood shavings may be ok but some hams can be allergic to them.
I ordered a cork log off of amazon. Should I be freezing that for a week?
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