Hamster Toys
Having toys in your hamster's cage are essential to keep your hamster's life interesting and long. These toys are also know as 'boredom breakers' as they keep hamsters excited and encourage natural instincts. If hamsters are not busy playing with toys, then they resort to unhealthy measures to keep them occupied. Most hamsters chew their bars, which result in broken teeth, and some hamsters even groom themselves constantly, resulting in over-grooming which includes sore or flaky skin and hair loss. So, here are some toys which will keep your critter busy!
Ladder/Bridge Toys
You can buy many toys which resemble ladders or bridges. Hamsters love to climb, whether it's curtains in your living room or a specially made ladder. These ladders and bridges are great for any hamster, large or small, and they are usually made of wood so help keep their nails down. You can buy them in a variety of styles and cost a whole range of prices. Below are some great products you can buy and how much they cost*:
- Climb 'n' Ladder by Small 'n' Furry, £3.99 (pictured left)
- Climb 'n' Ladder with Hammock by Small 'n' Furry, £5.59
- Natural Wood Logs by Supreme, £2.99
- For You Natural Wooden Ladder by Vitakraft, £2.49
- For You Hamster Play Gym by Vitakraft, £5.99
- Crazy Climber Small by Supreme, £5.99
- For You Natural Wooden Bridge Small by Vitakraft, £1.99
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
- Climb 'n' Ladder by Small 'n' Furry, £3.99 (pictured left)
- Climb 'n' Ladder with Hammock by Small 'n' Furry, £5.59
- Natural Wood Logs by Supreme, £2.99
- For You Natural Wooden Ladder by Vitakraft, £2.49
- For You Hamster Play Gym by Vitakraft, £5.99
- Crazy Climber Small by Supreme, £5.99
- For You Natural Wooden Bridge Small by Vitakraft, £1.99
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
Chew Toys
I find that 'chew toy' is an over-used word. When I think of chew toys, I think of a wooden block which a hamster can chew on and does not have any kind of reward at the end of it. In this section I am talking about a boredom breaker which includes chewing to get to a prize. Some have bells (the jingling being the prize) and some have treats in the middle (the treat being the prize). Again, they range in style and price very substantially, but never the less, I will list the toys and prices*:
- Bell 'n' Ball by Small 'n' Furry, £2.39
- Fruit n Nuts by Small 'n' Furry, £1.62 (pictured left)
- Bell 'n' Barrel by Small 'n' Furry, £1.42
- Treat-k-bob by Small 'n' Furry, £1.99
- Denti Mineral by Happy Pet, £2.19
- Nut Knot Nibbler by Super Pet, £3.05
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
- Bell 'n' Ball by Small 'n' Furry, £2.39
- Fruit n Nuts by Small 'n' Furry, £1.62 (pictured left)
- Bell 'n' Barrel by Small 'n' Furry, £1.42
- Treat-k-bob by Small 'n' Furry, £1.99
- Denti Mineral by Happy Pet, £2.19
- Nut Knot Nibbler by Super Pet, £3.05
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
Playgrounds
One of my favourite boredom breakers is a playground. They offer lots of climbing and adventure to keep your critter happy. Hamsters love it when you hide their food or some treats (no fresh fruit or veggies!) in the playground so they have to forage and explore to get their food. Here are some products and their prices*:
-Playground Fun Adventure Centre by Happy Pet, £4.39
- Small Animal Build n Bites Medium by Super Pet, £6.49
- Small Animal Puzzle Playground (42 piece) by Super Pet, £6.49 (pictured left)
- Small Animal Puzzle Playground (60 piece) by Super Pet, £10.49
- Hamster Maze Fort by Supreme, £6.49
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
-Playground Fun Adventure Centre by Happy Pet, £4.39
- Small Animal Build n Bites Medium by Super Pet, £6.49
- Small Animal Puzzle Playground (42 piece) by Super Pet, £6.49 (pictured left)
- Small Animal Puzzle Playground (60 piece) by Super Pet, £10.49
- Hamster Maze Fort by Supreme, £6.49
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
House/Hide-out Toys
Hamsters seem to really enjoy climbing around houses and picking a nesting place, whether you like it or not! Hamsters always need a hiding place, as this is their defence against predators and hide when they are frightened. Here are some products and prices*:
- Treehouse Real Wood Activity Centre by Living World, £8.63
- For You Natural Small Animal House by Vitakraft, £4.99
- Nature First Grassy Hideaway - Small by Happy Pet, £10.99
- Treehouse Real Wood 2 Level House by Living World, £13.59 (pictured left)
- For You Natural Wooden Hamster Hosue by Vitakraft, £4.99
- Alf 'a' Hut by Small 'n' Furry, £7.11
- Alf 'a' Log by Small 'n' Furry, £6.89
- Playing and Sleeping House by Leif, £12.49
- Willow Wigwam - Small by Happy Pet, £3.29
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
- Treehouse Real Wood Activity Centre by Living World, £8.63
- For You Natural Small Animal House by Vitakraft, £4.99
- Nature First Grassy Hideaway - Small by Happy Pet, £10.99
- Treehouse Real Wood 2 Level House by Living World, £13.59 (pictured left)
- For You Natural Wooden Hamster Hosue by Vitakraft, £4.99
- Alf 'a' Hut by Small 'n' Furry, £7.11
- Alf 'a' Log by Small 'n' Furry, £6.89
- Playing and Sleeping House by Leif, £12.49
- Willow Wigwam - Small by Happy Pet, £3.29
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012
Tube Toys
I find that tube toys are very common and very cheap, but don't keep your hamster occupied for long. Therefore, I recommend you use this boredom breaker as an accompaniment to another type of boredom breaker. Anyway, here are a few different products and their prices*:
- Small animal Chew Tubes Small by Rosewood, £1.59
- Corn 'n' Tunnel by Small 'n' Furry, £3.56 (pictured left)
- Mineral Tunnel by Happy Pet, £2.39
- Willow Tube - Small by Happy Pet, £3.99
- Seagrass Duo Tunnel by Naturals, £5.09
- Small Animal Soft Tube by Ancol, £2.23
- Nature First Grassy Tunnel by Happy Pet, £6.99
- Toob E Chew by Small 'n' Furry, £1.99 (NOTE: Please do not use the fluff included with this tube - it is fatal for your hamster!)
- Alf a Toob by Small 'n' Furry, £2.99
- Corn x Change by Small 'n' Furry, £6.12
- Crink 'l' Tunnel by Small 'n' Furry, £2.99
* Prices from www.petplanet.co.uk. Amount valid on Friday 8th June 2012