How to protect wood hamster hideout

[Teal9]

Hi Everyone,
I have a wooden hamster hideout that I would like to protect from my hamsters pee.
I see a lot of recommendations for plastikote but the clear enamel is not available.
I live in the United States, does anyone have any alternatives?
I am looking at
Bioshield, Herbal Oil - Non-Toxic, Primer and Sealer for Food Grade Surfaces
Food grade, non toxic safe for kids toys. Its linseed oil with essential oils. They cannot tell me the essential oil mixture because its a proprietary blend.
I'm also considering not sealing the wood and just leaving it.
Thank you all for your help in advance. Its very much appreciated.
Teal

[AmityvilleHams]

Definitely not Bioshield. Unknown essential oils should never be used as you can't say with absolute certainty that they're safe ones, and even with safe species many people prefer not to use them at all with hamsters in any form including products like this.

[Teal9]

Thank you!
I'll look for something else. Or just leave the wood.
Do you know of any alternatives?

[Salem13]

The people in the Ontario Hamster Club facebook group suggest using mod podge!

[RachelS]

I am in the U.S as well and I am having the same issue with my wood hideout. I am not comfortable just yet with using glues and such. Especially because most of the glues here in the U.S are highly toxic. However, I have been doing a lot of research and I am looking into Walnut oil. Apparently, Walnut oil is a natural wood finish for food grade wood products. It's suppose to help create a water proof layer.

Also, my dad is a bee keeper. He suggested Bee's wax. Apparently bee's wax (as long as its not processed) is antibacterial and antifungal.

Does anyone have any thoughts about Walnut oil and bee's wax as a protectant for wood?

[AmityvilleHams]

I would try bee's wax on a scrap of wood and see how it holds up with moisture etc. If that works, it would definitely be worth using and would honestly be the safest & most natural protective finish available of course as you mentioned providing the lack of processing.

I was honestly in the same position of not fully trusting glues myself. Yes you'll have people say this or that is safe, but when it comes down to it even something like Elmer's is plastic based and we already know plastics are not okay for hamsters to ingest. It's definitely not impossible to make things without glue due to different slotting mechanisms, wood pegs, certain joints, etc - it takes more research and effort to learn things that could work though.

I know others have previously expressed concerns over stability and durability of wood structures lacking glue for example, but properly constructed glue free wood structures absolutely can be incredibly sturdy providing they're constructed well.

As far as walnut oil goes though, I can't say for sure. A food grade pure one I'm pretty sure would be safe but it's not so easy to say yes or no with ones sold for wood finishing with the potential additives, contaminants, processing, etc - same with things like linseed oil!

[Teal9]

I really like mod podge, however it is a plastic coating just like plastikote i believe. I'm not sure what to do.

The beeswax would be very nice and natural. It looks like you would need to mix it though.
What do you think of this recipe with olive oil?

2 Ingredient Non-Toxic Wood Polish - Savory Lotus

I would like to try it on a new wooden toy just in case she loves it too much and wants to chew it all up
I'd need to research walnut oil more.

Thank you for the info on essential oils ( I looked into that) and the plastics and the glue.

Honestly, I would leave the wood (especially since its from niteangel) but my concern is the urine and I believe that can be toxic for them if it gets into the wood. I'm very lucky she doesn't pee on her wheel.

I found a brilliant idea online where he added a small sand bath in the wooden hideout. His hamster used that at night (our day) and it looks super easy to clean.

Thanks again everyone!

[AmityvilleHams]

The beeswax and olive oil recipe sounds perfect, definitely safe ingredients too.

Adding a sand bath inside a hideout can help. I know some members do that already and find their hamsters do use them as a litter tray.

[Teal9]

Quick Etsy search has beeswax polish
Beeswax Furniture Polish 4oz | Etsy

Tell your Dad thanks for being a beekeeper! They change the world.Bees are wonderful and so important and we are so lucky. Honey is amazing! Have you guys looked at flow hives? Honey Straight From The Hive | Flow Hive
– Flow Hive US. amazing design.