How can I prepare apple stick toys?

[Pastacat]

I have these apple sticks my sister and I got from an online store, because I read that hamsters like chewing them. I'm thinking of sticking seeds on them with flour and water paste and let Topaç chew on them, but I read conflicting things on whether to freeze them or if there are any pesticide residue on them. The website I got them from read "Apple sticks for rodents" and the reviews generally say their rabbits or guinea pigs loved them, so maybe there are no pesticide residue but I am not sure.

 

[Maz]

Was it a pet supplies store? ie sold as suitable for pets or just some kind of general store that sells applewood sticks? If they are sold as pet supplies, they should be safe to chew - I already prepared. But the freezing aspect is to kill any potential insect eggs that could hatch out which can't be seen, and it's advised with most wood and hamster food or treats. The alternative is you could just bake them Which is quicker. Which is what I would do. It only needs 100 degrees centigrade for 40 minutes, so they won't "overbake" or burn or anything, it just disinfects them and kills anything. If you're going to bake them, then wash them first, just in hot water, as that does two things. 1) Washes off anything they might have been exposed to (which probably isn't an issue if they're sold as pet supplies) 2) they effectively then steam rather than bake, which is slightly more effective.

So maybe just rinse them in hot water and stick them on an oven tray in the oven for 40 mins - low temperature - 100 degrees Centigrade.

 

[Pastacat]

Was it a pet supplies store? ie sold as suitable for pets or just some kind of general store that sells applewood sticks? If they are sold as pet supplies, they should be safe to chew - I already prepared. But the freezing aspect is to kill any potential insect eggs that could hatch out which can't be seen, and it's advised with most wood and hamster food or treats. The alternative is you could just bake them Which is quicker. Which is what I would do. It only needs 100 degrees centigrade for 40 minutes, so they won't "overbake" or burn or anything, it just disinfects them and kills anything. If you're going to bake them, then wash them first, just in hot water, as that does two things. 1) Washes off anything they might have been exposed to (which probably isn't an issue if they're sold as pet supplies) 2) they effectively then steam rather than bake, which is slightly more effective.

So maybe just rinse them in hot water and stick them on an oven tray in the oven for 40 mins - low temperature - 100 degrees Centigrade.

It's a general store that sells some other wooden things. The description says that they have been cleaned. I put them in the freezer for now just in case. How long should wood be in the freezer?

 

[Maz]

A week usually - baking is quicker

 

[Pastacat]

A week usually - baking is quicker

Yeah I am gonna bake them then lol