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About Sheila Adby
Expertise
Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com
Experience
I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com
Publications
Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)
Education/Credentials
Educated to A Level standard in the UK.
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Gerbils & Hamsters > Homemade toys
Expert: Sheila Adby - 11/5/2009
Question
How do i make homemade toys, like mazes : What items do i need
Answer
Hi Kendra
What pets have you got - are they gerbils or hamsters? If they are hamsters, are they Syrians or dwarf hamsters?
You could make toys/maze out of cardboard or wood. I used to go to a pottery class and made a load of tubes and houses from clay which I glazed so that they had shiny surface which made cleaning simple. If they are gerbils you must remember that they will shred everything - so it is better to use wood. Make sure it isn't pine, cedar or cypressus nor that it has been treated with an antifungal as this can make small animals sick. Also remember that gerbils can't manoevre themselves the way hamsters can and therefore any toy must be large enough for them to easily walk inside and out so they don't get stuck.
I've tried making various fabric hammocks which suspend from the roof of the hamster cage but they usually end up being chewed and I am forever replacing parts of them.
Some people make play areas away from the cage and let their hamsters play in this for an hour in the evenings - if you do this, remember that Syrians can climb so you need to make the sides very tall or put some mesh over the top so they can't escape.
Dust baths are very popular - you just need a shallow dish and fill it with 'chinchilla dust' that you can buy in a pet shop.
I hope this helps.
Regards
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