What Toys Do Hamsters Like & Dislike?

Hamsters need toys to keep themselves busy. They need stimulation and the opportunity to exhibit natural behavior. A barren environment can lead to stereotypical behavior in hamsters, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Most of the toys available for hamsters are appreciated and some provide much-needed exercise. Hamsters like to burrow, climb, dig and gnaw, and like toys that allow them to do these things. A couple of toys may stress your pet, however, and some are dangerous.

  1. Exercise Toys

    • All hamsters need a wheel. A hamster might run several miles a night and there is no way you could provide a cage big enough. A solid plastic wheel is the safest. Hamsters don't have long tails that get caught in rungs, but your hamster could slip and trap, and possibly break, a foot. Plastic tunnels and climbing frames are optional, but provide interest, especially if you vary them. A thick layer of bedding materials allows your hamster to dig.

    Homemade Toys

    • Hamsters love cardboard. Cardboard tubes and small cardboard boxes make appropriate toys. When they become soiled, discard and replace with fresh ones. If you want to be creative, try building tunnel systems from the items. If you need to secure anything together, use non-toxic tape. All rodents need to chew to keep their teeth from growing too long. Cardboard, along with wood, is a suitable material for this activity.

    Potentially Dangerous Toys

    • Be careful with wooden toys and plastic toys not intended for hamsters. Non-toxic untreated wood is fine and hamsters need a few wooden items to wear their teeth down. However, some woods are toxic and any treated or painted wood is dangerous. Restrict wooden toys to fruit tree twigs and toys specifically for hamsters. Plastic toys for very small children, other pets and hamsters are also fine. Check other plastic items consist of a safe material.

    Cruel Toys

    • The hamster ball might seem like a good way to let your hamster exercise without escaping, but these balls can be stressful to small rodents. The running inside may be the hamster struggling to escape. Don't assume that because a hamster isn't showing obvious signs of stress or fear that it isn't. Hamsters tend to hide their feelings. Injury can also result, especially if the ball builds up speed or falls down stairs. It is much better to let your hamster out in a small room such as a bathroom, a pet playpen or even in a dry bathtub. Some hamsters won't try to escape from raised areas such as sofas or beds, but keep a very close eye on your pet if you try this.