Difference between revisions of "Build Hamster Toys out of Household Items"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Making a Ladder === | === Making a Ladder === | ||
| − | #Gather together several popsicle sticks. The number of popsicle sticks that you will need will depend on how tall you want to make the ladder.<ref>http://animals.mom.me/build-hamster-toys-out-household-items-4565.html</ref> | + | #Gather together several popsicle sticks. The number of popsicle sticks that you will need will depend on how tall you want to make the ladder.<ref name="rf1">http://animals.mom.me/build-hamster-toys-out-household-items-4565.html</ref> |
| − | #Rinse off the popsicle sticks to remove food residue. The stickiness of food residue could make it difficult for your hamster to walk on the ladder.<ref | + | #Rinse off the popsicle sticks to remove food residue. The stickiness of food residue could make it difficult for your hamster to walk on the ladder.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Allow the popsicle sticks to dry completely. | #* Allow the popsicle sticks to dry completely. | ||
| − | #Glue the popsicle sticks together using non-toxic glue. It is important to use non-stick glue because your hamster may nibble on the sticks and inadvertently eat some of the glue. You would not want your hamster to get sick from eating a part of his toy.<ref | + | #Glue the popsicle sticks together using non-toxic glue. It is important to use non-stick glue because your hamster may nibble on the sticks and inadvertently eat some of the glue. You would not want your hamster to get sick from eating a part of his toy.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Allow the glue to dry completely. | #* Allow the glue to dry completely. | ||
#Place the ladder in the cage. You can get creative with where you place the ladder in the cage. | #Place the ladder in the cage. You can get creative with where you place the ladder in the cage. | ||
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#Gather together the materials you will need to make a tunnel. You will need several empty toilet paper tubes, bedding, some small cardboard boxes, and a cutting instrument (knife, scissors, box cutter).[[Make a Fun Hamster Tube Town]] | #Gather together the materials you will need to make a tunnel. You will need several empty toilet paper tubes, bedding, some small cardboard boxes, and a cutting instrument (knife, scissors, box cutter).[[Make a Fun Hamster Tube Town]] | ||
#* Instead of cardboard boxes, you could also use shoe boxes, milk cartons, or empty boxes of tea. | #* Instead of cardboard boxes, you could also use shoe boxes, milk cartons, or empty boxes of tea. | ||
| − | #* Because these boxes are not transparent, you will not be able to easily see your hamster once he's inside the tunnel. Even if you can't see him, trust that he's having fun in there!<ref>http://www.shmat.com/hamster-toys/paper-tube-hamster-toy.php</ref> | + | #* Because these boxes are not transparent, you will not be able to easily see your hamster once he's inside the tunnel. Even if you can't see him, trust that he's having fun in there!<ref name="rf2">http://www.shmat.com/hamster-toys/paper-tube-hamster-toy.php</ref> |
#Cut circular holes in the cardboard boxes. These holes will be what the toiler paper tubes go through. To make sure that the holes you cut are the correct size, it may be helpful to first trace the outline of the tube onto the box.[[Make a Fun Hamster Tube Town]] | #Cut circular holes in the cardboard boxes. These holes will be what the toiler paper tubes go through. To make sure that the holes you cut are the correct size, it may be helpful to first trace the outline of the tube onto the box.[[Make a Fun Hamster Tube Town]] | ||
#* Cut the holes in different parts of the cardboard boxes to give your hamster more options when entering and exiting the tunnel. | #* Cut the holes in different parts of the cardboard boxes to give your hamster more options when entering and exiting the tunnel. | ||
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#* Even though the tunnel will be covered with bedding, leave an open end where your hamster can gain easy access to it. | #* Even though the tunnel will be covered with bedding, leave an open end where your hamster can gain easy access to it. | ||
=== Making a Two-Story Hamster House === | === Making a Two-Story Hamster House === | ||
| − | #Gather the materials that you will need. To make a two-story hamster house, you will need two empty tissue boxes, a pair of scissors, a ruler, non-toxic glue, several empty toilet paper tubes, and several small pieces of cloth.<ref>http://www.shmat.com/hamster-toys/two-story-hamster-house.php</ref> | + | #Gather the materials that you will need. To make a two-story hamster house, you will need two empty tissue boxes, a pair of scissors, a ruler, non-toxic glue, several empty toilet paper tubes, and several small pieces of cloth.<ref name="rf3">http://www.shmat.com/hamster-toys/two-story-hamster-house.php</ref> |
#* Square tissue boxes will work better than rectangular boxes to make the house. | #* Square tissue boxes will work better than rectangular boxes to make the house. | ||
| − | #Use scissors to cut away the plastic opening of the tissue boxes. Removing the plastic will make it easier for your hamster to go through the openings.<ref | + | #Use scissors to cut away the plastic opening of the tissue boxes. Removing the plastic will make it easier for your hamster to go through the openings.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Stack the boxes on top of each other and glue them together. Stacking the boxes on top of each other will create the upper and lower levels of the house.<ref | + | #Stack the boxes on top of each other and glue them together. Stacking the boxes on top of each other will create the upper and lower levels of the house.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Stack the boxes so that the top opening of each box is facing to the right or to the left. | #* Stack the boxes so that the top opening of each box is facing to the right or to the left. | ||
#* The openings should not be on the same side of the house. | #* The openings should not be on the same side of the house. | ||
#Use a ruler to measure the distance from the top opening to the floor. Measuring this distance will allow you to know what length of tube you will need to create a walkway up to the upper level. | #Use a ruler to measure the distance from the top opening to the floor. Measuring this distance will allow you to know what length of tube you will need to create a walkway up to the upper level. | ||
| − | #Create a walkway using the toilet paper tubes. You may need to place several toilet paper tubes within one another to make a long enough walkway from the lower to upper level.<ref | + | #Create a walkway using the toilet paper tubes. You may need to place several toilet paper tubes within one another to make a long enough walkway from the lower to upper level.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Use non-toxic glue to attach the tubes to each other, if necessary. | #* Use non-toxic glue to attach the tubes to each other, if necessary. | ||
| − | #* Use non-toxic glue to attach cloth to the inside of the walkway. The cloth will give your hamster extra traction so that he can easily walk up and down the tube.<ref | + | #* Use non-toxic glue to attach cloth to the inside of the walkway. The cloth will give your hamster extra traction so that he can easily walk up and down the tube.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* Do not make the incline so steep that your hamster will have trouble walking up or down the tube. | #* Do not make the incline so steep that your hamster will have trouble walking up or down the tube. | ||
| − | #Secure the walkway to the opening of the second floor box. Use non-toxic glue, rather than tape, to attach the walkway to the second floor box. Securing the walkway will ensure that it does not move when the hamster walks up or down the tube.<ref | + | #Secure the walkway to the opening of the second floor box. Use non-toxic glue, rather than tape, to attach the walkway to the second floor box. Securing the walkway will ensure that it does not move when the hamster walks up or down the tube.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* If the opening is rounded, use scissors cut the bottom of the opening into a straight line. | #* If the opening is rounded, use scissors cut the bottom of the opening into a straight line. | ||
=== Making a Maze === | === Making a Maze === | ||
| − | #Gather a handful of empty toilet paper tubes. The more complicated you want to make the maze, the more tubes you will need.<ref>http://animals.mom.me/homemade-hamster-maze-6262.html</ref> | + | #Gather a handful of empty toilet paper tubes. The more complicated you want to make the maze, the more tubes you will need.<ref name="rf4">http://animals.mom.me/homemade-hamster-maze-6262.html</ref> |
| − | #Place the tubes within one another. In order to maintain the shape of the tubes, be careful not to force them to fit into each other.<ref | + | #Place the tubes within one another. In order to maintain the shape of the tubes, be careful not to force them to fit into each other.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Use non-toxic glue to attach the tubes to each other. Hamsters will nibble at the cardboard, so you want to make sure that the type of glue you use will not make them sick.<ref | + | #Use non-toxic glue to attach the tubes to each other. Hamsters will nibble at the cardboard, so you want to make sure that the type of glue you use will not make them sick.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#Place the rows of tubes in different directions in the cage. This will create the shape of the maze. The more creative you are with the directions of the tube, the more challenging the maze will be for your hamster. | #Place the rows of tubes in different directions in the cage. This will create the shape of the maze. The more creative you are with the directions of the tube, the more challenging the maze will be for your hamster. | ||
| − | #* If you choose to place the maze outside of your hamster's cage, closely supervise your hamster so that he does not escape or injure himself.<ref | + | #* If you choose to place the maze outside of your hamster's cage, closely supervise your hamster so that he does not escape or injure himself.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#* Other household materials that you can use to create a maze include empty shoe boxes, cylindrical oatmeal boxes, and wrapping paper tubes. | #* Other household materials that you can use to create a maze include empty shoe boxes, cylindrical oatmeal boxes, and wrapping paper tubes. | ||
#Place a treat at the end of the maze. The scent of the maze will encourage them to move even faster through it to get to the treat. | #Place a treat at the end of the maze. The scent of the maze will encourage them to move even faster through it to get to the treat. | ||
=== Making an Obstacle Course === | === Making an Obstacle Course === | ||
| − | #Gather together items to make an obstacle course. Just about anything can be used to make an obstacle course, including paper cups, toilet paper tubes, small toy cars, and building blocks.<ref>http://thehamsterplace.com/hamster-toys/</ref> | + | #Gather together items to make an obstacle course. Just about anything can be used to make an obstacle course, including paper cups, toilet paper tubes, small toy cars, and building blocks.<ref name="rf5">http://thehamsterplace.com/hamster-toys/</ref> |
#* Be aware that small toy cars have paint on them, which could make your hamster sick if he eats the paint. Watch him closely and remove the cars if you see him to start to nibble on them. | #* Be aware that small toy cars have paint on them, which could make your hamster sick if he eats the paint. Watch him closely and remove the cars if you see him to start to nibble on them. | ||
| − | #Set up the materials in a large open area. You could use an open area of your floor that outside of your hamster's cage. You could also use your bathtub or a large cardboard box.<ref | + | #Set up the materials in a large open area. You could use an open area of your floor that outside of your hamster's cage. You could also use your bathtub or a large cardboard box.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #* If you use your bathtub, line the bathtub with a towel. The towel will give your hamster more traction as he moves through the obstacle course.<ref | + | #* If you use your bathtub, line the bathtub with a towel. The towel will give your hamster more traction as he moves through the obstacle course.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #Place treats throughout the obstacle course. The scent of the treat will motivate your hamster to move even faster through the obstacle course.<ref | + | #Place treats throughout the obstacle course. The scent of the treat will motivate your hamster to move even faster through the obstacle course.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#Keep a close eye on your hamster. You will want to make sure that he does not eat any part of the obstacle course that could make him sick. | #Keep a close eye on your hamster. You will want to make sure that he does not eat any part of the obstacle course that could make him sick. | ||
