Hamster toys provide a ton of different benefits for your pet. You can buy a variety of different toys that allow hamsters the opportunity to play and exercise at the same time. The most common types of toys for hamsters are of the running variety. There are also lots of toys available that encourage hamsters to climb and dig.

What if buying hamster toys isn’t an option though? Maybe you don’t have enough money or just can’t be bothered to make your way to the pet store. Have no fear. There are quite a few really neat hamster toys that you can put together yourself. Here are few basic ideas.

One incredibly simple thing you can use to entertain your hamster is a cardboard roll. The type of roll you want to use basically depends on the size of your pet. If you have a small hamster, a toilet paper roll will probably suffice. If your pet is a bit of fatty, on the other hand, consider using one of those 12′ rolls from a paper towel tube. So what will your hamster do with these rolls? Well it’s really up to him! Chances are he’ll burrow into them though. Hamsters love to dig and hide.

Another great hamster toy that can be made for cheap is a simple box. All you need to do is take an empty Kleenex box and put it in your pet’s cage. Make sure you remove any plastic from the box before doing so. This way your hamster won’t eat anything that he’s not supposed to. Rodent’s love to hide and the Kleenex box allows him to do this. For real creative individuals, you can even take this toy a step further by connecting a few boxes with cardboard tubes. Make your little buddy a hamster castle!

The third hamster toy that I want to talk about is a little bit more difficult to make. It’s basically a hamster maze created out of cardboard. In order to make this maze you need an empty flat of soda and some scrap cardboard. Take the empty flat and cut your hamster an entrance and an exit to the maze. Now cut the cardboard scraps into long strips that will eventually become the walls of the maze. Simply glue the strips into the flat, arranging the maze as you see fit. Place your little pet near the entrance to the maze and watch him go!

The number of hamster toys that you can make at home is limitless. Use stuff that you see around the house and be creative. You’ll save a bit of money and provide your hamster with a ton of fun and exercise.