Can Hamsters Chew On Cardboard? Everything You Should Know
Hamster teeth never stop growing throughout life. So they need to chew on hard or crunchy things to limit the growth of their teeth. They also love chewing because it’s a fun pass time for them.
This article will examine the suitability of cardboard as a chew material for hamsters and show how to determine safe cardboard types. It will also cover the suitability of various types of cardboard for chewing and explore alternative chew materials for your hamster.
Keep reading to learn whether hamsters can chew on cardboard and what other materials you can give them instead of cardboard.
Read More About Hamster Chewing:
- Can Hamsters Chew On Popsicle Sticks? [Read More]
Is It Safe For Hamsters To Chew On Cardboard?
It is generally safe for hamsters to chew on and even consume small amounts of cardboard. The hardness of cardboard is good because it helps keep hamster teeth filed down. However, not all cardboard is safe for hamsters to chew on, so you must choose carefully to avoid potential health risks.
What Are The Risks Of Chewing Cardboard For Hamsters?
Chewing cardboard can be risky for hamsters, especially if done in excess or if the cardboard has some contaminants. Some of the risks associated with hamsters chewing on cardboard include the following;
Dental Issues
If the cardboard the hamster chews on is too hard or rough, it may cause tooth breakage or chipping. Broken or chipped teeth often have exposed nerves, causing sensitivity and pain when the rodent chews.
Stomach Blockages
Cardboards that contain tape, glue, or gloss can accumulate in the digestive tract, causing problematic blockages. Since cardboard absorbs water and swells, it is hard to pass through the digestive system, so it is dangerous for your hamster to ingest it.
Allergies and Health Issues
Food product cardboard may contain pesticides and fungicides that can cause cancer and other long-term health problems. Other chemicals like solvents, plasticizers, and glue can cause stomach upsets, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergies.
Choking
If your hamster ingests a large piece of cardboard, it can become lodged, block airways, and cause choking. Metal staples can quickly get stuck, while tape and gloss are particularly sticky and can get caught in the airways.
Hamsters with dental issues have a higher risk of choking since they can’t chew properly and will likely swallow big pieces.
How Do I Determine The Safety Of Cardboard For My Hamster?
There are several things to consider before you allow your hamster to chew on cardboard, including;
Does It Have Any Metal Staples?
Many cardboard boxes, such as those used for shipping, are sealed using metal staples. If your hamster chews on a staple, it might break its teeth or cut its mouth. Metal staples also pose a choking hazard.
Hence, you should always check any cardboard you allow your hamster to chew on and ensure it has no staples.
Does It Have Any Chemicals?
Cardboard boxes are often closed using adhesive substances like glue. Water-based glues are safe for hamsters because they dissolve when ingested.
On the other hand, hot glue is made of plastic, so it is indigestible and does not dissolve in the stomach. Hence, if your hamster eats cardboard with hot glue, there’s a considerable risk of stomach blockage.
Cardboards that package fruits and vegetables will likely have pesticides to preserve the products. Similarly, those used to store products susceptible to mold will have some fungicides.
Pesticides and fungicides are bad for your hamster’s health, so it should not chew on or ingest anything that may have them. Generally, cardboards used for packaging non-food items are safer than food product packages since they don’t have these chemicals.
Does It Have Any Food Remains?
Most cardboard boxes used for packaging food remain with some food residue. These food remnants attract small insects and bacteria that can harm your hamster’s health.
The food remnants are often processed foods with additives, which are unsuitable for your pet rodent. The leftovers may also be spoiled and rotten, so they will cause stomach upsets.
Does It Have Tape or Gloss?
Carboards that don’t use glue use tape. Some cardboards have a colorful glossy finish. Both tape and gloss are bad for your hamster in several ways;
- Since tape and gloss are not digestible, they can block the intestines, causing health problems
- The tape has an adhesive that can be harmful when ingested
- Gloss and tape contain chemical residues like plasticizers and solvents that are harmful when ingested
- They are choking hazards
- Some of the inks used to give gloss its color are toxic when ingested
Hence, you should always remove any tape from cardboard before allowing hamsters to chew on it. Any cardboard covered in gloss is a no-go zone for your hamster.
Age of the Hamster
A baby hamster’s teeth are still developing, so chewing on hard cardboard can damage them. The digestive systems of baby hamsters are also developing and may not be able to handle cardboard, causing digestive problems.
Does Your Hamster Have Healthy Teeth?
If your hamster has poor dental health, you shouldn’t allow it to chew on cardboard that’s too rough or hard. If your hamster has teeth problems and chews hard cardboard, the teeth may chip off or break.
Cardboard Size
Before allowing your hamster to chew, cardboard thickness is an important factor to consider. On average, cardboard is about 5 mm thick, but the thickest can be more than 15 mm.
A suitable thickness of cardboard for your hamster to chew on comfortably is 5 mm. 15 mm is too thick and may be too hard for the rodent to chew, potentially causing harm. You should also ensure that the cardboard your hamster chews on isn’t too big.
Types of Cardboard That Are Safe for Hamsters to Chew On
There are many types of cardboard, but the four most common are;
- Corrugated cardboard
- Plain white cardboard
- Paperboard
- Chipboard
Of these types of cardboard, only two are safe for hamsters to chew on – paperboard and corrugated cardboard. Chipboard is made of fusing wood chips using glue under high pressure, so it’s unsafe for hamsters.
Type of cardboard | Properties | Can hamsters chew on it |
---|---|---|
Chipboard | – Single layer – Brown color -Very hard | No |
Paperboard | – 1 or 2 mm Thick – Single layer | Yes |
Corrugated cardboard | – Between 5 and 15 mm thick – Has multiple layers – Gets harder as its thickness increases | Yes |
Plain white cardboard | – White in color – Thin – Single layer | No |
Corrugated Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard has three layers – an inner fluted layer sandwiched between two outer layers. It has an average thickness of about 5 mm, which is ideal for your hamster to chew on since it’s not too thick.
Since corrugated cardboard is a versatile material, it is used to package various things ranging from food products to automotive parts. To ensure the cardboard you’re giving your hamster is safe, cut off the parts with glue or tape.
If the box is a processed food package or pizza box, ensure that it has no food remnants before allowing your pet rodent to chew on it. However, if the cardboard is a fruit or vegetable package, there’s a high chance it has some pesticide or fungicide. Avoid giving it to your hamster.
Paperboard
Paperboard is used to make many things including boxes and toilet paper rolls. The thickness of paperboard lies between 1 to 2 mm. It also isn’t too stiff or hard. For instance, a toilet paper core just needs to be sturdy enough to hold the toilet paper rolled around it, so paperboard is the best material for it.
So, can hamsters chew on toilet paper rolls? Yes, they can chew on it safely since it is not too thick or hard for them. However, before you allow your hamster to chew on toilet paper rolls, ensure they’ve not bleached white since those can be harmful.
Alternative Chew Materials for Hamsters Besides Cardboard?
There are many other materials hamsters can chew on, such as:
Mineral Chews
Mineral chews are made by compressing mineral dust to form various shapes and sizes. They are great for keeping your hamster’s teeth healthy while supplementing the rodent’s mineral intake. Remember, mineral sticks shouldn’t replace the minerals provided in the diet.
Wood Blocks
These blocks offer something hard for your hamster to gnaw on and keep its teeth filed down. Ensure that the wood blocks you choose do not have paint or chemicals.
Plastic Chew Toys
Some hamster chew toys are made using plastic. A safe plastic chew toy has to be relatively hard and durable to ensure it doesn’t break down when bitten. You should also ensure that the plastic doesn’t contain any chemicals that may harm your pet rodent.
Untreated Wood
If you can’t buy wood blocks, you can get untreated wood sticks and branches from trees like apples or willows. Trees like pine and cedar contain essential oils that can cause digestive tract issues for your hamster, so you should avoid their wood.
What Are The Benefits Of Chew Materials To Hamsters?
It is essential to provide various chew materials to ensure your hamster always has a chew toy when it wants to chew. These materials offer the following benefits to your furry friend;
Dental Health
Hamsters have teeth that never stop growing throughout their lives. If these teeth are not filed down or trimmed, they can cause issues such as;
- Difficulty eating
- Dangerous dental abscesses
- Pain and general discomfort
Chew materials help hamsters wear down their teeth, preventing overgrowth and the health issues listed above.
Prevents Boredom
Since hamsters spend much of their lives in cages, they often get bored quickly. Chewing can be mentally stimulating for these rodents, so it is a form of entertainment for them. The greater the variety of toys you provide, the less likely your hamster will be bored.
FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about hamster chewing habits.
Q: Can hamsters chew on dog biscuits?
Hamsters can chew on dog biscuits, but you must ensure they don’t have garlic. Garlic is harmful to hamsters and can cause health problems like blood disorders.
Q: Should I let my hamster chew on its cage?
You shouldn’t let your hamster chew on its cage because that can break its teeth. Cage chewing is a sign of boredom, so you should provide some stimulation, like chew toys, immediately after you notice it.
Q: Can hamsters chew on plain white paper or cardboard?
Since the wood pulp is typically brownish, white cardboard paper results from a bleaching process designed to make it whiter. Plain white cardboard may contain some chemicals used in bleaching wood pulp, so it is unsafe for your hamster to chew.
Wrapping Up
Cardboard is a safe material for your hamster to chew on. However, if the cardboard has any chemicals, metal staples, glue, tape, dye, or gloss, it is unsuitable for your furry friend.
Before you offer a chew toy to your hamster, you must consider whether it’s safe for the rodent to gnaw. Otherwise, the hamster could have a stomach upset, experience allergies, break teeth, or choke. If you have questions about which chew toys are safe for your pet rodent, consult your local vet.
Resources:
- https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:533607/FULLTEXT01.pdf