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Old 04-17-2022, 12:45 PM   #1
cloudy
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Default Are these safe for hamsters?

Wooden Mushroom Toys for Toddlers Art Furnishing Articles Set of 11 Learn Toys with All Types of Mushrooms Different Shape Blocks Early Educational Toy : Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games


These were advertised on an Etsy site as hamster chew toys. When I got them I saw they are actually made for children. It says they are made from water based paints but I am unsure if I can use them. Does anybody know?
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Old 04-17-2022, 01:10 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

It's difficult to tell. They seem to be plastic as it says bpa free and non toxic plastic! Even though they're described as wooden mushrooms. Perhaps that is just the coating or part of it that's plastic. If not sure maybe send them back? I think there are plenty of other mushroom type things around. What does it say on the box you have? I would think if they're safe and non toxic for children they should be ok but it would be nice to know what kind of materials were used. I am confused about the non toxic plastic!
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Old 04-17-2022, 01:11 PM   #3
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

I would say a very strong no. Painted woods aren't going to be safe with hamsters for toys and toy parts - even water based very frequently includes things like acrylic which you definitely don't want to risk them ingesting as plastic is completely indigestible!

Another huge red flag with them even if they were just completely raw wood and nothing else is they don't even say what species of wood they are. This is a very big problem because not every wood species is safe for hamsters, some being a potential irritant as well as a variety of wood species being quite toxic to hamsters for various reasons.

In terms of toys in general another safety issue to keep in mind are things like plywood and wood composite type materials. Many people get away with them for cage structure and such but they should never be chewed or ingested by pets. This also includes things like the Ecotrition Snak Shacks and similar products - they're essentially a wood composite(inedible) with hay & honey, plus they tend to contain questionable ingredients like synthetic dyes and preservatives that are best avoided.

Snak Shacks have sadly lead to rats dying at the very least. The honey encourages pets to eat them when they are NOT edible. Wood isn't something that pets should be ingesting much of, and while the occasional nibble on a bit of untreated/kiln dried safe wood species is fine it is still very difficult to digest and if enough is ingested it can absolutely lead to life threatening digestive blockages.

Sadly there are so many unsafe products on the market for all different kinds of pets with any source you could think of including Etsy. There are definitely good options out there but they can take some digging to find!

Rosewood actually have dandelion & nettle root which would be a really good alternative to wood chews. Many hamsters don't actually end up chewing much if at all on the typical wood chews. Whimzees are also very popular among hamsters - just make sure not to get the veggie sausage or veggie strips as they contain clove bud oil which isn't safe for hamsters!
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Old 04-17-2022, 01:18 PM   #4
cloudy
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Thank you both. I will donate them to charity.

I appreciate the tips, Amity. I already have whimzees added to my Amazon basket. I have also ordered some rattan chews. I also have pear sticks. I have some wooden chews but perhaps best not to use those either.

Are these whimzees okay?
WHIMZEES Natural Dental Dog Chews Long lasting, Small Toothbrush Star, 24 Pieces : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
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Old 04-17-2022, 01:30 PM   #5
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Actually, I just want to double check these are safe too? I bought these a few months ago.
5 Pieces Rabbit Toy Boredom Dwarf Breakers Hamsters Bunny Chew Toy Grass Wooden Ball Carrots Corn Eggplant Gerbil Toys Rat Small Animals Rattan Ball Toys for Teething Bunny Chinchilla Guinea Hamster : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
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Old 04-17-2022, 01:58 PM   #6
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Yes those look fine I have those whimzees as well.
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Old 04-17-2022, 02:00 PM   #7
cloudy
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Yes those look fine I have those whimzees as well.
Oh good. Thank you. Are the other chew toys okay? They say they are for rabbits but they are small.
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Old 04-17-2022, 02:02 PM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

I think you can get ceramic mushrooms and plain unfinished wood ones as well. But Amity makes a good point about not knowing what wood they are made of. Annoying it doesn't say on the packet.
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Old 04-17-2022, 02:03 PM   #9
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudy View Post
Oh good. Thank you. Are the other chew toys okay? They say they are for rabbits but they are small.
Yes they're fine - seagrass, rattan etc
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Old 04-17-2022, 02:03 PM   #10
cloudy
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Default Re: Are these safe for hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Yes they're fine - seagrass, rattan etc
Phew. Learning all about hamster things is very tricky. haha.
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