With hamsters being such a popular and commonly kept pet in North America and Europe where the majority of our readers live, we often see people asking questions about caring for their pet hamsters.
We really do see a wide range of different questions from the hamster keeping community about a number of different things but more recently, we have seen a number of people asking about their hamsters chewing on plastic.
Due to seeing so many people asking questions as well as a hamster chewing plastic potentially being a serious problem, we decided to publish this article to point out the potential risks to your hamster.
Can Hamsters Chew On Plastic?
No, hamsters should not chew on plastic. Plastic can be sharp and may cause injury to your hamster’s mouth or teeth.
Additionally, swallowing small pieces of plastic can be dangerous and even life-threatening. If you see your hamster chewing on plastic, provide him with safe alternatives such as wooden toys or branches.
If your hamster builds up the habit of chewing on plastic then it can be difficult to shift, especially if parts of your hamster’s cage and accessories are made from plastic.
Why Is My Hamster Biting The Plastic Cage?
There could be a few reasons why your hamster is biting his cage. He may be bored and looking for something to do, or he could be teething and chewing helps relieve the pain.
If your hamster is constantly biting his cage, try giving him more toys and things to keep him occupied.
You can also try putting a small amount of apple cider vinegar on the parts of the cage he’s been biting – the taste should deter him from chewing.
There are a number of other liquids that you are able to use instead of apple cider vinegar too but apple cider vinegar tends to be one of the cheaper and easier options to use.
How Can I Prevent My Hamster From Chewing On Plastic?
The best way to prevent your hamster from chewing on plastic is to provide him with plenty of safe, alternative things to chew on. This includes wooden toys, branches, and chewable treat balls.
Ideally, you will be removing as much plastic as possible from your hamster’s cage to prevent it from being able to chew on the plastic in its cage.
This can be a problem if you have a hamster cage with a base plate that is made from plastic but in most cases, a decent plastic base plate for a hamster cage shouldn’t be able to chew on the plastic anyway, if it can then you should look to get a new cage as soon as possible.
Can I Put A Plastic Container In My Hamsters Cage?
No, you should not put a plastic container in your hamster’s cage.
Plastic can be sharp and may cause injury to your hamster’s mouth or teeth. Additionally, swallowing small pieces of plastic can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
If you need to put something in your hamster’s cage, choose a safe alternative such as a wooden toy or branch.
My Hamster Ate Plastic, What Should I Do?
If your hamster ate plastic, it’s important to watch him closely for any signs of illness or injury. If he seems to be in pain or discomfort, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If your hamster ingested a small amount of plastic and appears to be fine, try giving him more things to chew on in his cage to deter him from chewing on plastic in the future.
After a day or two of eating plastic, your hamster should naturally pass the plastic that it ate and due to your hamster not being able to digest plastic, you should be able to obviously see the plastic in your hamster’s poop.
