Cork tunnel and grapevine wood

RenW · 04-21-2021, 06:18 AM

Hey,
So I just bought the cork tunnel, the sandblasted grapevine wood and the wooden trixie wheel from zooplus to give my hamster a more natural cage.
I was wondering do I need to do anything to sanitise these products or are they safe to go straight in to the tank?
Thank you in advance!

AmityvilleHams · 04-21-2021, 06:27 AM

Freezing them for at least 48 hours is a good idea in case of anything like mites. Don't try to use any sort of disinfectant though - wood is porous so anything you use will stay in the wood which can be very unsafe for hamsters!

RenW · 04-21-2021, 06:59 AM

Does anyone know if these things are at the same risk? For example I wasnt even considering freezing the wheel but thought the cork specifically might need it. Are they all at the same risk of mites etc or is the cork the biggest risk?
Mainly asking cause the sandblasted branch is fairly large and wont fit in our freezer so would have to try find someone with a big one.
Thank you

LunaTheHamster1 · 04-21-2021, 09:07 AM

I've never frozen mine and 'touch wood ' (Get it

) I have always been fine. I have done this for 3 years and never been a problem. Maybe I am being naive but always presumed they would have been sanitised in some way to make them pet safe.

Dodo · 04-22-2021, 01:35 AM

Alternatively you can bake them. It is what I did for my latest cork. I wouldn't bother with the wheel honestly.

RenW · 04-22-2021, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodo

Alternatively you can bake them. It is what I did for my latest cork. I wouldn't bother with the wheel honestly.

That may be more doable! I'm tempted to leave the branch too and just do the cork.

How long and at what temp did you bake your cork?

LunaTheHamster1 · 04-22-2021, 02:42 AM

Oh yes, what Dodo said. I have baked mine often in between having different hamsters,
approx 90c i think it is for about 20-30 mins - or an hour if like me you forget to get them out the oven on time

RenW · 04-22-2021, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

Oh yes, what Dodo said. I have baked mine often in between having different hamsters,
approx 90c i think it is for about 20-30 mins - or an hour if like me you forget to get them out the oven on time

Ah that is great thank you so much! The grapevine doesn't fit in freezer or oven so I'm just gonna have to risk that but I'll def be baking the cork!

Thanks everyone for the replies!