Enrichment Toys for Hamsters & Mice

Enrichment Toys for Hamsters & Mice

Did you know that the toys you choose for your hamster or mouse can significantly impact their health and happiness? Unfortunately, many of the hamster toys available on the market today are designed more for human novelty than for promoting natural behaviors. This leaves many hamster owners unknowingly providing toys that fail to meet their pets' needs.
A well-enriched environment allows hamsters and mice to behave similarly to their wild counterparts, promoting a range of positive behaviors and improving overall quality of life. Decades of research indicate that proper rodent enrichment significantly enhances physical health, mental stimulation, and natural behavioral expression, leading to increased lifespans and improved quality of life. (Renner & Renner, 1993; Hutchinson, Avery, & VandeWoude, 2005; Balcombe, 2006).

Enrichment Behaviors

Despite being in captivity for generations, hamsters and mice will perform their full range of natural behaviors when given the opportunity (Baumans, 2005; Hutchinson et al., 2005). In order to be effective, toys should have a clear function that encourages their natural behaviors. The eight most commonly cited enrichment behaviors for hamsters and mice in public research are listed below.

Foraging for fruits and plants and transporting food in cheek pouches back to their burrow (Meehan & Mench, 2007; Baumans, 2005; Hutchinson et al., 2005).

Burrowing to create complex den structures and create emergency tunnels out of their nest (Fischer, Gebhardt-Henrich, & Steiger, 2007; Baumans, 2005).

Hiding is a natural behavior where hamsters seek out small, enclosed spaces to feel safe and secure. Providing hideouts mimics their instinct to avoid predators and helps reduce stress. (Baumans, 2005; Balcombe, 2006).

Running is a critical behavior to maintain an active lifestyle and healthy weight. The average hamster will run over 5 miles a day (Fischer et al., 2007; Baumans, 2005; Fox & Neville, 2024).

Climbing & exploration  to find food, water, hideouts and other resources to thrive. (Meehan & Mench, 2007; Veissier, Lesimple, Brunet, Aubé, & Botreau, 2024; Baumans, 2005; Hutchinson et al., 2005).

Cleaning & Grooming are critical for all rodents to maintain their fur health. Hamsters, in particular, enjoy rolling in sandbaths to keep their fur clean and free of excess oils and dirt.  (Fischer et al., 2007; Baumans, 2005; Hutchinson et al., 2005).

Nest Building with soft materials such as toilet paper or cottonballs to provide comfort & warmth (Fisher 2007) (Baumans 2005) (Hutchinson 2004)

Gnawing & Chewing allows rodents to wear down their teeth & maintain dental health (Fischer et al., 2007).

Current Market Analysis

What to avoid in Enrichment Toys

The current hamster toy market is full of static toys that only target a single behavior, if any at all, and are often made from materials that are not safe or hygienic. These toys fail to engage hamsters over time, as they are designed more for human appeal than for functional enrichment. Below are some common issues with these toys:

  • Porous Materials: Many permanent structures are made from wood or other porous materials that absorb urine and bacteria, leading to frequent cleaning and potential health risks for your hamster (Ottoni & Ades, 1991).
  • Paints or Coatings: Toys painted or coated with non-pet-safe materials can pose a risk if chewed, leading to potential poisoning or allergic reactions. Opt for toys that are unpainted or use non-toxic dyes
  • Lack of Engagement: Structures that do not change bore critters quickly as they can habituate within a couple days of the change. In the same vain, although puzzle feeders may seem like a good idea to lengthen their feeding time, once they are figured out, the food becomes quickly extracted thereafter. (Meehan & Mench, 2007; Krebs & Watters, 2017; Veissier et al., 2024).

What to Look for in Enrichment Toys

In contrast, effective hamster toys are designed to promote natural behaviors, ensure safety, and maintain long-term engagement. Here are the positive traits to look for:

Non-Toxic, Durable Materials 

Choose toys made from non-toxic, chew-safe materials that can withstand regular use and can be washed if needed. Look for chewable materials (such as hay or twigs), ceramics, sealed wood, and plastics that are food-grade safe, such as LDPE, HDPE, PP, PET & PETG (A&C Plastics, n.d.; McCandless, 2024). If a product doesn’t list its plastic type, it is best to avoid it.

Reconfigurable for Sustained Interest:

 

By Allowing for reconfigurability—typically by physically moving the products to create new environments that spark your critter’s curiosity—these toys become much more engaging and maintain your hamster's interest over time. (Veissier et al., 2024; Meehan & Mench, 2007; Krebs & Watters, 2017)

Targets Specific Enrichment Behaviors: 

This can be clearly seen in products like hamster wheels that target running. However, it can also be seen with hideouts made out of Timothy hay which targets hiding & gnawing behaviors. Extra benefits arise when a toy targets multiple behaviors, such as our Sandbath Homie, which promotes climbing and exploration, hiding, cleaning, and nest building behaviors (Veissier et al., 2024).

Conclusion

In conclusion, effective hamster enrichment requires a well-thought-out approach that includes regularly changing functional toys. By providing an environment that mimics natural conditions, including materials for nesting, objects for climbing, and interactive toys, we can significantly enhance the well-being and longevity of our hamster companions. Ensuring that enrichment programs are based on scientific research and tailored to the natural behaviors of hamsters will lead to happier, healthier pets. (Baumans, 2005; Balcombe, 2006)

Check our collection of toys to discover enriching products you can add to your critter's habitat! 

Journal Articles:

Baumans, V. (2005). Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents and rabbits: Requirements of rodents, rabbits, and research. ILAR Journal, 46(2), 162-170.

Fischer, K., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., & Steiger, A. (2007). Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cage sizes. Animal Welfare, 16(1), 85-93.

Fox, A., & Neville, V. (2024). Burrowing for answers: Investigating Syrian hamster welfare through owner surveys. Veterinary Record, e4534.

Hutchinson, E., Avery, A., & VandeWoude, S. (2005). Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents. ILAR Journal, 46(2), 148-161.

J P Balcombe. (2006). Laboratory environments and rodents’ behavioural needs: A review. Laboratory Animals, 40(3), 217-235. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367706777611488

Krebs, B. L., & Watters, J. V. (2017). Simple but temporally unpredictable puzzles are cognitive enrichment. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 4(1), 119-134.

Meehan, C. L., & Mench, J. A. (2007). The challenge of challenge: Can problem solving opportunities enhance animal welfare? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 102(3-4), 246-261.

Ottoni, E. B., & Ades, C. (1991). Resource location and structural properties of the nestbox as determinants of nest-site selection in the golden hamster. Animal Learning & Behavior, 19(3), 234-240.

Renner, M. J., & Renner, C. H. (1993). Expert and novice intuitive judgments about animal behavior. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 31(6), 551-552. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337350

Veissier, I., Lesimple, C., Brunet, V., Aubé, L., & Botreau, R. (2024). Rethinking environmental enrichment as providing opportunities to acquire information. Animal, 101251.

Webpages:

A&C Plastics. (n.d.). FDA approved plastics for food contact — Which plastics make the cut? A&C Plastics. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informationcenter/r/fda-approved-plastics-for-food-contact

McCandless, J. G. (2024, February 3). Food grade plastic: How to identify safe materials. Ponics Life. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://ponicslife.com/food-grade-plastic-how-to-identify-safe-materials/



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