Hamsters love to explore and play with tubes in the cage because they remind them of their life in the wild.
So I researched to find out if the tubes are safe if you decide to put them in your hamster’s cage.
Are tubes safe for hamsters?
Tubes are safe for hamsters as long as they are wide enough for hamsters to easily pass through, and they should also have openings for air circulation.
It is best to use cardboard or wooden tubes, as plastic tubes can cause small pieces to be swallowed which can make your hamster sick or hurt.
In today’s article, you will find out if the tubes are safe for hamsters, which tubes to use, and what to pay attention to avoid unwanted risks and problems from using them in your pet’s cage.
Are tubes safe for hamsters?
The tubes are completely safe for hamsters and you can use them in their cage, you just have to pay attention to their size.
You should make sure that the tubes are wide enough so that your pet does not get stuck in them.
The diameter of the pipes should be of the following sizes:
- for Syrian hamsters – a tube diameter of 7 cm or 2.76 inches.
- for dwarf hamsters – a tube diameter of 5 cm or 1.97 inches.
These sizes are the minimum and can be wider so hamsters can safely pass through it without getting stuck.
You should always pay attention to the placement of the tubes, i.e. they should be away from direct exposure to the sun because if your pet decides to sleep in the tubes, they can overheat and dehydrate the hamster.
To keep hamster tubes safe, you should check them regularly for any food or bedding stuck inside.
It would help if you regularly clean the residues in the tubes so that the hamster does not get stuck inside the tubes.
To make the tubes safe for the hamsters, you should use cardboard or wooden tubes, avoid plastic tubes because the hamsters can get hurt and sick by chewing the plastic.
Why is it good to use hamster tubes?
Using tubes in the hamster cage is a great idea as it helps the hamster to be safer, and feel comfortable and improves his mental health.
In the following text, I will explain in more detail all these benefits for hamsters of using tubes in their cage.
The tubes in the cage ensure the safety of the hamsters
Hamsters like to use the tubes because that way they feel more secure while in the cage.
The tubes in the cage remind hamsters of tunnels in the wild where they hide to protect themselves from predators.
Although in the cage hamsters have no real danger from predators, our little friends do not know this and use them to ensure that they are in a safe place.
Hamsters often rest and sleep in the tubes because they feel safer and more relaxed then.
Tubes keep hamsters comfortable
Tubes provide comfort to hamsters and therefore they like to use them very often in their cage.
Hamsters are constantly running and playing all day, so the tubes allow them to rest in a safe place without being worried or scared.
The tubes should be in every hamster cage, and therefore if you don’t have them yet, I recommend you to add them right away, be sure that your pet will enjoy using them.
Tubes improve the mental health of hamsters
Tubes improve your hamster’s mental health because your pet will be happy and content when running through them.
The happier hamsters are, the less nervous they will be and they won’t be under stress, and as we know stress is the main reason for them getting sick and reducing their lifespan.
The happier the hamster is, the lower the chances that it will try to escape from the cage because the happy hamster will not constantly think about running away and biting the bars of the cage.
Tubes make it possible to reduce the teeth of hamsters
Tubes are excellent items for reducing the constantly growing teeth of hamsters.
That is why the tubes in their cage must be made of cardboard or wood so that they can chew to reduce the teeth that grow all the time.
Never use plastic tubes because when hamsters chew on them, they may ingest pieces of plastic which can then make them sick and cause serious health problems.
What are the unwanted risks of using tubes in the hamster cage?
Tubes are generally good for hamsters as they provide safety and make the hamsters happier, but there are some things to watch out for.
Here’s what to look out for:
- they won’t want to dig – because once hamsters get used to using the tubes they won’t want to dig in the bedding anymore.
- tight tubes – are dangerous and can cause hamsters to get stuck inside them, so you should always pay attention to their size. If hamsters get stuck in the tubes, they can become dehydrated and stressed.
- reduction of fur – the friction inside the tubes will cause some of their fur to come off, especially if the tubes are too tight. The constant friction of the fur can also cause irritation and pain to the hamster’s skin.
- ammonia deposition – because hamsters often urinate through the tubes, which will make your pets sick. That’s why it is necessary to regularly clean or change the tubes in their cage.
Why you should not use plastic tubes in the hamster cage?
Plastic tubes are not good for hamsters because if a hamster swallows a piece of plastic it can get stuck in their digestive system and cause major problems.
Plastic tubes usually have small breathing holes that are not enough for sufficient air circulation, which will cause problems with breathing and the respiratory system.
It is not good to use plastic tubes because they heat up much more and can lead to dehydration of the hamsters.
Plastic tubes are not a good choice because they do not allow the absorption of liquids, i.e. the peeing of hamsters.
Are toilet tubes good to use in a hamster cage?
Toilet tubes are fine to use in the hamster cage but only for dwarf hamsters.
They will not be responsible for Syrian hamsters because they are too narrow for them and they can only get stuck in them.
For Syrian hamsters, you should provide wider cardboard tubes with a diameter of at least 7 cm.
Read more: Why Hamsters Love to Sleep in Tubes? Let’s Discover
Why won’t my hamster use tubes?
Although tubes are great for hamsters, sometimes your pet may not want to use them.
The most common reasons why hamsters do not want to use the tubes in their cage are too wide or too tight tubes.
Another reason hamsters refuse to use the tubes is if they are placed too vertically and the hamster cannot climb into them.
Therefore, you should reduce the angle and place them with a smaller vertical angle so that the hamster can climb more easily.
Read more: Is My Hamster Bored In His Cage? Let’s Find Out
What should I do if the hamster does not want to get out of the tubes in the cage?
Sometimes hamsters will not want to come out of the tubes for a long time which is certainly not okay and you will have to find a way to get them out.
If the hamster does not come out of the tubes then do the following:
- a quieter environment – because if he’s scared of noise or strangers he’ll be afraid he won’t want to get out of the tubes.
- illness or injury – may cause the hamster to not want to come out of the tubes and then you will have to tilt the tube down to slide the hamster out of it.
- put food in front of the tubes – to make the hamster come out put some of his favorite food that he won’t be able to resist and then he will come out of the tubes.
In any case, when you need to remove the hamster from the tubes, never hit the tubes, as this can only frighten and stress the hamster.
Read more: What Will Happen to My Hamster if It Eats Plastic? Find Out Now
Conclusion
Tubes are an excellent choice for a hamster cage addition because they provide more safety, comfort, and mental health for hamsters.
Using tubes in the hamster cage allows your pets to feel like they are in the wild and that is why you should have them in the cage.
You should always use cardboard or wooden tubes and avoid plastic tubes as they can injure and make your pets sick if they accidentally swallow a piece of plastic.
Tubes are good for hamsters just be careful with their size so your pets don’t get stuck and lack enough air circulation.
Read more: How to Stop Hamster Putting Bedding and Food In the Wheel?
