OK, here are my questions:
1. I'm really into sugar glider toys n' stuff but of course they're illegal in PA. I thought I could put all of my energy into Teddi (my chinese dwarf hamster) instead of sugar gliders. But I did happend to see something about them... A "bonding pouch" made out of fleece. Would this work for my Teddi boy?
2. my friend wants to make a no-sow mesh wire fleece net. It's basicly, fleece around the edge and fabricated netting. You just weave them together and the hamster should be able to hop right up and longe around. But is that safe?
3. Overall, is fleece safe for hamsters?
4. Besides running wheels and running balls, what are good toys for hamsters?
5. I bought Teddi knowing everything about hamsters but still not following the rules :( A harsh bite from him made me realize how horrible of an owner I've been and I'm deciding to start our realationshop anew. I need tips for this idea.
2006-11-03 15:29:04 · 5 answers · asked by B 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
you seem to be very concerned about the welfare of your animal and that is something that i find very admirable. :)
OK. Fleece is not a good idea for Hamsters, you should try something more "vegetal"... like, for example something made of hemp... I've had hamsters since i was 13 and i have learned lots of things from them... they prefer to bite and play with things made with plants rather with leather or fleece...
Hamsters love to chew things... there are wooden block specially designed for that. Also they love any place where they can hide (specially if it is chewable) so i save every cardboard box small enough to fit in their cage... oh, i was forgetting, those cylinders around which the toilette paper comes wrapped... they love them too.
Hamsters feel attracted by the idea of climbing things (although they are not good at it). small pieces of wood can help with that: Remember, wood must not be painted or treated in any way... Hanging things from the top of the cage is a good idea, but be carefull with that. for example a wooden stick with a string would do it...
About Teddy bitting you, do not worry, sometimes you have very tempting smells on your fingertips and.. you know.. your finger seem yummy to him.. that's all..
The best moment of the day to play with your hamster is right after you wake up: they are nocturnal animals so he is finishing his "day" and after playing whit you he'll be tired and will sleep like a baby. Also, early in the morning, you don't have strange smells on you (you haven't worked with pencils, cooked anything, etc). so you smell more like YOU... in this way, he will recognize better and he will be more confident easier. I hope I helped....
Greets from R! + Descartes (my hamster)
2006-11-03 16:29:59 · answer #1 · answered by R! 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
do not listen to nyad. she is talking about rats which are very different than hamsters. she answered the question for rats.
1. hamsters dont particularly bond like a rat, sugar glider, or gerbil. they mostly tolerate. they will not just sit in a pouch & hang with u. they will walk all over for u and eventually climb off & run away.
2. no. fleece can get stuck in their pouches & they will chew it. they also dont really lounge anyway.
3. no
4. they LOVE the balls & usually run daily. at least when they r young. as they age they often lose interest. mine run in their balls from 2-4 hrs a day. they're used to running 5 miles a night in the wild. they chew when they want out. i let them run about 45 min or til they stop, then put them back for a water break. then they chew when they r ready to get back out and they go again. put tape on the lid cuz it pops open. make sure u get the small kind for dwarf. also they have hamster play pens u can buy & set on the floor & fill with all kinds of toys so u can watch them.
5. how long have u him? it can take a couple mths for them to get used to u. also dwarf r sometimes cage aggressive & r fine once u have them out. make sure ur hands r clean & smell-free. dont wake them to hold them. they dont like to be held more than a minute or so at any time.
sorry if u hoped they were more like gliders. good luck.
2006-11-04 00:33:39 · answer #2 · answered by galaxygurl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a rat, so these answers are probably relavent for hamsters too.
1. A bonding pouch might be nice for your hamster...if your hamster is calm enough to stay in it. My rats prefer perching on my shoulder, and hated it the one time I tried to put them into a pouch.
2. Fabric netting should be ok for their feet as long as it is really fine netting. Solid fleece would actually be better for this, as it would be a lot more comfortable for them, and you wouldn't have too worry about their feet getting sore from it. Although the netting would be cleaner, not soaking up the waste. (The fleece would have to be washed/replaced regularly.) It is safe to have fabric hanging in their cage for them to lounge on, as long as you make sure the construction is secure, and check periodically for chewed areas that might make it unsafe. Although, with my rats, if they like the hammock, they don't chew on it.
3. Fleece is safe for rats, I occasionally put it in their cage for them to cuddle on. I don't see any reason why it would be different for hamsters.
4. My rats really love newspaper, tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, empty tissue boxes to nest in, tubes (the empty toilet paper tube might be big enough for your hamster, or you could try cheap PVC pipe), boxes, cat toys (one is positively obsessed by the feathers-on-stick toy, and they both love the hollow plastic golf-ball-looking things with the rattle-ly stones inside).....just try random things. They are great recyclers, and will play with practically anything.
5. Just spend some time with him. It doesn't have to be anything special, maybe let him run around on your bed when you do homework.
2006-11-03 16:42:21 · answer #3 · answered by nyad13 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think fleece is safe for hamsters
2006-11-03 16:24:00 · answer #4 · answered by mickeymousedude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters are rodents. Buy a dog.
2006-11-03 15:39:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋