Human fingernails are much like the teeth of a hamster.In the wild, hamsters are able to keep their teeth at the right length by chewing on sticks.To keep your hamster healthy and happy, you can make your own chew sticks.
Step 1: Natural wood can be used.
The wood you use to make the chew sticks needs to be treated.Paint and pesticides used to treat wood could be toxic to your hamster.Skewer sticks, that you can typically purchase in your grocery store, offer a good option since you know they are safe for human use and also for your hamster.If you want something similar to what you find in the pet store, look for chew sticks made of balsa.If you want to use natural wood from the outdoors, clippings of small twigs from fruit trees are safe for hamsters.You should be certain that the tree was not treated with chemicals.
Step 2: If you find sticks in your backyard, avoid them.
It is safe to give your hamster fresh clippings from fruit trees, but if you find wood on the ground that contains parasites, you should not use it.
Step 3: It's a good idea to avoid woods that contain oils.
Certain types of wood, such as cedar and pine, can contain oils that are harmful to the hamster respiratory system.Choose wood that is free of oil.The yew and Oleander tree are poisonous to hamsters.
Step 4: Do you want to make a lot of chew sticks?
To make the sticks thick enough for your hamster, you will need to make bunches of 3 skewers.You can make about 13 chew sticks with a package of 20 skewers.
Step 5: You should cut your skewers.
The skewer needs to be removed.Use a very sharp knife or a pair of gardening scissors.
Step 6: Cut the skewers in half.
The shorter the chew sticks, the better your hamster will like them.Use the gardening scissors to cut the skewer in half.
Step 7: There are 3 skewers.
You can begin to glue the sticks together by laying 3 skewers next to each other on a piece of paper.
Step 8: Glue hamsters to each other.
The glue you use to hold the sticks together is important.A safe glue can be made by mixing white flour and water together.Adding fruit juice to the glue will make your chew sticks more interesting for your hamster.You can add dried fruit to the paste.
Step 9: Attach the skewers together.
Use a paint brush to coat the skewers.
Step 10: Allow the chew sticks to dry.
You should allow plenty of time for the sticks to dry so that they don't fall apart inside your hamster's cage.You could coat the other side of the sticks with glue.Wait until the first side is dry, then flip each bunch over, and repeat the process of brushing on the glue.
Step 11: Give your hamster a chew stick.
Give your hamster a few chew sticks in the evening when he is most active.
Step 12: The chew sticks should be replaced
If your hamster is no longer using the chew stick, you should give it a new one.If you leave old chew sticks in your hamster's cage, he might hurt himself with the sticks.
Step 13: Your hamster will react to the sticks.
Does he use them frequently or not?If your hamster doesn't like using the sticks, you should look for alternatives.Rub the sticks with a carrot.The stick has a carrot flavor that hamsters enjoy.Put a bit of honey on the stick.You can show your hamster that the stick is something he can eat by coating it in honey.Do not use this trick often, as your hamster may refuse to use the stick unless it has honey on it.Hamsters can be susceptible to diabetes if they consume too much sugar.Remove the outer layer of the stick.To remove the top layer of the stick, use a small knife.The scent of wood may be appealing to your hamster.
Step 14: Give your dog some biscuits.
If your hamster doesn't like the sticks, it's a good idea to give him dog biscuits.
Step 15: There is a paper towel tube.
hamsters love to crawl inside the tube and this is a good option for chewing.This option has more than one activity for the hamster.
Step 16: Hard cereals can be used.
Rolling oats can be given to your hamster to chew on in a pinch.