You don't need a fancy toy to have fun with your hamster.disposable household supplies can be used to make colorful hamster toys.A few pieces of cardboard or wood can be used to make treat holders, box hideouts, and climbing platforms.You can give your hamster a colorful new toy that is safe to explore by choosing non-toxic paint and other decorations.
Step 1: You should trim the roll to the size you need.
If you need more space in your hamster's cage, measure it.Cut the cardboard tube with scissors or a knife.Remove any damaged portions by trimming it evenly at the ends.The toilet paper rolls are a good base toy.Most of them do not need to be trimmed.You can trim a paper towel roll to the size you need if you don't have any.
Step 2: Use a utility knife to cut holes in the toilet paper roll.
The easiest way to cut out parts of the roll is with a utility knife.A few circles are cut along the length of the tube.To retain the shape of the tube, space them out.The holes are similar to windows your hamster can use to see and remove treats.The holes should be about the size of the hamster's head.It will be easier to reach the seeds if it crawls into the tube.Bigger holes may cause the toy to break apart faster.It is possible to make the toy by cutting the ends of the rolls into strips.To make a small toy for your hamster, fold the strips inwards.
Step 3: Attach the tube to the paper with holes.
Place the tube tightly in the paper.To find where you cut holes, feel the tube.Use a utility knife or scissors to remove the paper from these areas.If you need to lay the paper flat, unwrap the roll and mark the spots.Toxic dyes in tissue, wrapping, and construction paper can be harmful to hamsters.If you want to avoid all dye, stick to printer paper since newspapers are safe to use in a pinch.If you want to use colored paper, you have to dip it in water.The ink is most likely safe to use if it doesn't run.You should use paper longer than the tube to close it.
Step 4: The paper should be Glued to the cardboard tube.
You can get a bottle of white glue or a glue gun.To adjust the holes in the tube, roll it up tightly.Put a small amount of glue on the free edge of the paper.Glue it in place by pressing it against the tube.To make sure the glue is non-toxic, check the label.As much glue as possible is used to reduce the amount your hamster will eat.When using hot gun glue, be careful.Don't hold the nozzle against the paper.To prevent burns, move your fingers out of the way.Skip the glue.Wrap the roll tightly, then twist the ends together by hand.The toy may fall apart sooner than you think, but your hamster will still have fun with it.
Step 5: Allow the glue to cure for 24 hours.
Within a few minutes, hot glue will solidify.The toy should be on a stable surface.When the glue dries, position the side down so it doesn't pull apart.Attach a paper towel or craft mat to the toy to protect it from leaking glue.
Step 6: You can put your favorite treats in the roll.
Dropping a few of the seeds through the holes in the tube is a good way to get the hamsters to eat them.Fruits and vegetables are good choices.Adding apples, berries, lettuce, or spinach can make a difference.Eggs and bread are good for your hamster.Before you put a new treat in the tube, research it online to make sure it is safe for hamsters.You should be careful with food that spoils.To remove old treats, check the tube every day.
Step 7: Tie the paper around the roll.
The paper should be crunched against the ends of the tube.Wrap the paper tightly with a rope that is safe.Your toy will look like a piece of candy when you unwrap it.Pick your rope carefully.Don't use dyed yarn or strings.Thin string or wire is harmful to your hamster.
Step 8: You can put the toy in the cage or playpen.
It's a good idea to set it near your hamster.You can cut the holes to make it detect the treats.If you want to give your hamster a treat, refill the toy and make a new one.
Step 9: Cut off the flaps with scissors or a knife.
Lay the cardboard box on it's side.Remove the tape holding the flaps in place.Your hamster has plenty of space to move through the container if the flaps are removed.The toy can be made out of cardboard.Since ink can be harmful to your hamster if it is chewed and swallowed, don't use tissue boxes or other cardboard with ink.
Step 10: If it's necessary to fit the box in a cage, measure and trim it.
If you make a toy out of a box, cut it to size with scissors or a knife.Determine how much space you have by using a tape measure.Measure on the cardboard before cutting it.You can reduce the amount of measuring and cutting by using smaller boxes.There are bigger boxes for toys that are left out of a cage.A bigger box can be cut into panels.To create a box-shaped house, stack the panels and glue them together.
Step 11: To create entrance holes, cut holes in the middle of the container.
There should be a hole in the middle of each panel.To exit and enter a cardboard box, each hole needs to be at least the same size as your hamster.Adding a variety of shapes to the holes is a great way to personalize the box.To make the holes, bend the container and poke a hole in the middle of the cardboard panel.Use the small hole to cut out the shape you want.
Step 12: Wrap the box in non-toxic wrapping paper.
If you want to use any paper, dip it in water.It is not safe to use the ink if it runs.Spread non-toxic white glue or hot glue over the cardboard when you have the right paper.To stick the paper in place, push it against the cardboard.The wrapping paper should not be left on because of the risk of your hamster consuming toxic dye.Paint or markers can be used to color the box.If you don't want to draw directly on the cardboard, you can glue white paper to the box and color it.
Step 13: If you used glue, leave it for 24 hours.
The glue will cure in a few hours.Wait for it to completely solidify so the decorations don't fall off when your hamster starts playing with it.If you used a hot glue gun, waiting is important.
Step 14: If the decorations cover the holes in the box, cut them.
To find the holes you cut in the cardboard, run your fingers over the box.To poke through the excess wrapping paper, use scissors or a sharp knife.Don't damage the box or its decorations.To get the best results, poke through the paper with a sharp tool, then cut out the hole with scissors.
Step 15: The box should be near the hamster.
The box should be in the playpen.Make sure the holes are big enough for it to fit through.Your hamster will have a lot of fun playing with its new toy.Take the box out of the cage or playpen if it's too tall for your hamster.The ends of the cardboard need to be trimmed.
Step 16: There are no ink marks on flat cardboard and cardboard rolls.
No matter what type of cage you have, you can install a platform.cardboard is an inexpensive and easy way to make a platform.Get a big piece of cardboard for the platform's surface and about 5 or 6 toilet paper rolls to use as supports.The best way to build sturdy platforms is with wood.Hamsters like to chew on wood platforms.Pre-cut pieces of wood are available at an art supply store.If you want to fashion your own wood pieces, use a table saw.If you operate a saw, make sure you wear safety gear, such as goggles and a dust mask.
Step 17: To determine the platform's size, measure the cage.
The platform should have a space for it.Measure the length, width, and height of the space where you plan on fitting the platform with a tape measure.When you start crafting the platform, you need to write these measurements down.Outside of a cage, platforms work well.To build the platform you want, take the same measurements.
Step 18: Cut the cardboard to the size you want with scissors.
With a pencil, trace the dimensions of the platform onto a piece of cardboard.If you want to cut the cardboard cleanly, get a pair of scissors or a utility knife.The cardboard should fit in the cage.Leave the platform to rest on the wires if you intend on putting it in a wire cage.To make the cardboard overlap the wires, leave an extra 1 in on the ends.
Step 19: The toilet paper needs to be Glued to the platform.
The bottom side of the cardboard should be facing up.Make the platform low enough for your hamster to reach by placing a cardboard tube in each corner.Set another tube in the middle of the longer ends.Attach the platform with non-toxic glue around the rim of each tube.For an easy way to create legs, look for wood spools.The wood blocks work well.Since wood platforms are sturdy, you only need 4 of them to put underneath the platform's corners.Use a glue that isn't toxic.White bottled glue and white glue gun sticks are not dangerous.The glue should be spread thinly to prevent your hamster from turning it into a snack.
Step 20: Before moving the platform, you should dry the glue.
In a location where it won't be disturbed, set the platform out in the open.Give the glue time to cool off.Make sure the platform feels stable when you finish.
Step 21: The platform should be put in the cage and secured to the walls.
If you plan on installing the platform there, you should put it in the cage.The cardboard should be between the wire bars for a wire cage.If you have a glass cage, place some transparent duct tape around the platform's edges to hold it in place.You can test the platform.Support it with tape if it is wobbly.Extra support can be provided by glueing more cardboard tubes or wood pieces to the bottom.
Step 22: You can decorate the platform and make it your own.
Add something new to the hamster's toy when it gets tired of it.Try to make some extra platforms by using non-toxic paints.Glue a cardboard tube or wood cylinder to the top of the platform, then top it with a smaller platform for your hamster to explore.Ladders and staircases are some of the projects you can make.Cut out a strip of cardboard for a staircase.To make it stable, glue the white card stock to the underside.Then, make a ramp by folding it in half.Only non-toxic decorations are used.Colored paper and yarn can harm your hamster.If you want to decorate a platform with paper, you have to dip it in water.Don't use the dye if it runs.