Cardboard

[Frida]

Good morning everyone
I want to tie some cardboard on to the sides of Albert's cage. Do I need to put the cardboard on the inside or outside of the bars or does it not matter?

 

[elusive]

It doesn’t really matter, I would say inside is probably better. What string are you using? Jute sting is good, some string isn’t safe if they chew or swallow it.

 

[Member ID2]

I think it depends of the purpose of the cardboard as some hamsters like to chew cardboard.

 

[Frida]

It doesn’t really matter, I would say inside is probably better. What string are you using? Jute sting is good, some string isn’t safe if they chew or swallow it.

I was going to use natural jute twine 2 ply. Is that okay?

 

[Frida]

I think it depends of the purpose of the cardboard as some hamsters like to chew cardboard.

It's to make the cage more cosy and to stop substrate spilling out the back of the cage.

 

[Member ID2]

I use boredom breaker mats for that and fix them to the outside but cardboard does the same job.
Inside would keep the substrate in better but outside is easier to replace if he decides to chew it.

 

[elusive]

That jute twine would be fine.
I think inside keeps the substrate in better too, it depends if you don’t mind having to replace it if it gets chewed although if it’s on the outside they can sometimes still try to chew it & end up chewing at the bars.

 

[Maz]

I have cardboard on the inside of Pip's cage (Robo). I just used cable ties to keep it in place - so the cable tie goes through the cardboard from the outside, loops over and comes back out again and snipped off on the outside. The inside loop is tight and I don't think it's a hazard. It's a cut up amazon box.

I did the same with Raffy's cage, but he chewed all the cardboard off! But he is maverick.

I can't find the photo but you can see it on this video

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[Maz]

This was Raffy's before the cardboard was chewed off! It was a blue shiny box - I had the blue on the outside for effect - the inside was just rough cardboard.

 

[Frida]

That jute twine would be fine.
I think inside keeps the substrate in better too, it depends if you don’t mind having to replace it if it gets chewed although if it’s on the outside they can sometimes still try to chew it & end up chewing at the bars.

Good point. I'm going to put it on the inside. I don't want Albert to start chewing bars or hurting himself trying to get at the cardboard.

 

[Maz]

Jute twine is probably better than cable ties . If you ever get this toy (trio of balls) - I use the sisal one of these as sisal string (which is safe to chew) - I just unravel it. The hyacinth ball is the best one as a toy IMO - it's softer and you can stick treats under the folds.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Animal-Activity/dp/B002NKD0BG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QIP8IH9QNTUT&keywords=trio+of+balls&qid=1676894057&rdc=1&sprefix=trio+of+balls%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

 

[Frida]

Jute twine is probably better than cable ties . If you ever get this toy (trio of balls) - I use the sisal one of these as sisal string (which is safe to chew) - I just unravel it. The hyacinth ball is the best one as a toy IMO - it's softer and you can stick treats under the folds.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Animal-Activity/dp/B002NKD0BG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QIP8IH9QNTUT&keywords=trio+of+balls&qid=1676894057&rdc=1&sprefix=trio+of+balls%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

Great idea. Thank you.