Hamster Toys

Does a hamster need toys?

Since only very young animals play in the human sense of the word, it would be more accurate to say “activities” instead of “play.” Our captive hamsters do not have to engage in foraging and eating, and therefore have much more time to “explore” the world around them. Inside the cage, there are a number of activities for the hamster.

The social contacts of hamsters living together are meaningful pursuits, even if they are perhaps not entirely purely specific, because most hamsters are solitary animals. But in all cases, they are a good substitute for the much-needed foraging activity that is not available in the cage.

Cardboard boxes and twigs can also satisfy the need to gnaw and give you something to do. A good hiding place, which, moreover, can be gnawed without much effort, turns out to be the cardboard base of toilet paper rolls or paper towels.

For a change, you can from time to time hide a treat or part of your daily ration in a closed cardboard box, or under a pile of hay, or in a wad of paper. Hamsters in this way “get” their food. Feeding in the morning and in the evening (once succulent, another time grain) stimulates activity.

Do not line your hamster with nesting material; let him do it himself.

The swings, logs, stairs and carousels offered by pet stores take up too much space in a small cage in my opinion. Hamsters are very fond of the running wheel, which the golden hamster never loses interest in, and therefore should not be replaced with other devices. A large box filled with sand can satisfy the need to dig. Additionally, in the top layer, you can hide a few grains, allowing the hamster the opportunity to smell and dig which the hamster enjoys.