Cage

What are some good ways to make my hamster cage more fun?

I've been watching my hamster lately and he just looks bored. Because he sleeps all day and i know that they do that. But when he's awake. He just lays down and rests. And he's not even a year old. And please dont say toilet paper rolls because i've tried that and he finds no amusement in them. I have a crittertrail 2 cage just to show you how much room i have. I have an exercise ball and i let it out twice a day for 30 mins each.

Public Comments

1. Buy a ball and let it run outside in it. I know if I had a ball to run around in I would love it.
2. lol i have the same cage but for my gerbil ... i have a run around ball, critter trail playpen. maybe try motivating him with treats to move around .. maybe take him out of the cage more and interact with him ... hope this helps
3. put lots of colorful, fun, toys in it's cage! like tubes, wheels, ladders, and other things he can run on, around, over...ect! and make sure you are taking him out at least for 10 mins a day! and playing with him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. try another furry friend if not possiable let him out to play with u more like go out side and let him ..her sit in ur lap or somthing there is also i think they arecalled chewies avable at walmart meijer pet co etc.. they are great for motivation and teeth they look like popcicle sticks also try card board boxes, great nesting one reason is because they are chew able NO PLASTIC, shreded paper too they will have more funn makeing a nest try spredding fresh fruits and veggies around to try to make him explore the cage while haveing a tasty yet healthy snack!!
5. My hammies LOVE to shred up toilet paper! Seriously, I give them about 10 squares of TP each and they have a ball with it! I also got them each a "chube"...here is a link to what I am talking about... http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImages.aspx?FamilyID=9438&sku=792209 There are 3 different sizes, obviously the smallest size is for hamsters, mine seem to like the chubes but make sure you throw away the fluff bedding that comes inside of the chube because that stuff is not good for hamsters. Lots of different hide-aways are always fun for them...they makes tons of different ones... http://www.petco.com/product/105183/Small-Animal-Kingdom-2-Story-Hamster-House.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/105552/Mac-s-Rainbow-Chew-House.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/10219/Small-Animal-Kingdom-Fruit-Hideaways.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/13576/Super-Pet-Nature-s-Nook-Houses-for-Small-Animals.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/13634/Super-Pet-Sleep-N-Bedroom.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/10697/Small-Animal-Kingdom-Wooden-Hamster-Cage-Accessories.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/13415/Small-Animal-Kingdom-Jungle-Hut.aspx http://www.petco.com/product/105089/PETCO-Natural-Small-Animal-Hut.aspx There are also lots of attatchments for the type of cage you have...here is one... http://www.petco.com/product/5272/Super-Pet-CritterTrail-Puzzle-Playgrounds.aspx Go to petco.com and/or petsmart.com and browse around, I'm sure there will be something you will like.
6. Give it something to chew on, also try some fresh carrots, that would really encourage him to play..! Ooh also make sure that you are changing his water every day( i had the same problem, usually my lazy hamster!). I tried giving him some peanuts cause hamsters luv them and it gets there body super active!
7. you can make a hamster swing out of strings and half of a toilet paper roll.first,poke two holes In the paper roll,put the string through the holes,tape/tie the string on the top of a plastic bin/wire cage,and there you have it.let your hamster climb into the toilet paper roll and let the fun begin.also,you can use card board to make a maze/playground. have fun:)
8. Another poster suggested a friend - this is a BAD idea if the hamster you have is a Syrian - they'll likely kill each other! Even with dwarves, this is not something to be taken lightly - if you have a dwarf variety do research the friend aspect. The problem with the crittertrail 2 cages is the space is vertical! Hamsters are not arboreal (tree climbers), so thats not really a great style cage for them. There's not really the floor space to roam around and act like a hamster on. I keep hamsters in bin cages - they are easy to interact with, you can rearrange their habitat easily for enrichment - they can forage for food - its hard to be bored in a bin cage.
9. make sure he has a lot of different kinds of things to chew on and make bedding out of. sometimes the cage isn't enough, though. take him outside and let him romp around in the grass. my hamsters and gerbils always have fun outside when it's warm and sunny out.