Is a wooden birdhouse safe for my Chinese dwarf hamster's winter home?

Thanks for reaching out about Remy. Plants must be non toxic, including stems, leaves and root. Soil could also be a problem, as contains bacteria and needs to be potted and watered. Wood used to build toys and the cage, must also be non-toxic and aromatic. Even if non-toxic, wood can easily be chewed, is porous and therefore difficult to disinfection. That is why wood is not recommended to build cages. Good luck.

As long as the toys are "hamster safe", there is no cause for concern. Hamsters are burrowers. They like to dig through and under bedding. You can use aspen shavings or recycled paper bedding. Do not use pine or cedar shavings.

If the cage is cleaned frequently the ventilation may be adequate however I would be very nervous that the hamster would escape from these open areas. They can be very agile climbers and are escape artists. I would recommend a commercially available cage instead to ensure that your hamster does not escape! Also, even if you place a mesh over the area, if the hamster can get to the corner/edge of the plastic they can easily chew the plastic and escape that way!

No. Hot glue is plastic nawed, so if your hamsters chews and ingests it, there is risk of obstruction. A PVA glue or any glue labeled as 'child safe' would be a better option. Cardboard tubes or rolls are safe and hamsters love shredding them or crawling through them. Popsicle sticks, when chewed, may expose a hamster to sharp splinters. For this reason they are not recommended.

Do not use an aquarium tank. A suitably sized (and secure) wire cage with a solid bottom is recommended. HabiTrail and Kaytee have excellent choices for cages. Buy the largest cage you can afford and fit in the chosen space. You can use recycled paper bedding such as CareFresh or Yesterday's News. Aspen shavings or pellets are also acceptable. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these can be irritating. A commercial diet from Kaytee or VitaKraft can be fed from a ceramic bowl. A ceramic bowl prevents gnawing and tipping. A non chewable water bottle can be hung to provide fresh water daily. Other necessary items include chew toys and an exercise wheel. Find a veterinarian experienced in treating pocket pets and have your new addition examined to confirm good health. Feed, water and exercise daily. Clean the cage weekly. These little guys require very little care and can provide lots of entertainment. Congrats and enjoy!

Hi, and thank you for posting this question. I have never read or seen anything reported on the safety of hamsters and vinegar. However, I have personally used it in the past in my own hamster’s cage. In my experience there was no problem as long as I rinsed and dried the cage well. I hope this helps! Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello. For the most part, this is safe. But do keep a door open & a window cracked to allow some fresh air to flow. And do not have the diffuser right next to your pets, either. This is better for you & your pets. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.