When you get a hamster, you might want to build a maze for it or put things in its cage. People who own pets often use hot glue. We looked into whether or not it is safe to use hot glue in your pet’s home.
Most of the time, it’s safe to use small amounts of hot glue in your hamster’s cage or to make pet toys, as long as the hamster can’t get to the glue itself.
When you buy glue, you will want to make sure it is not poisonous. But if you have a hamster that chews on everything, hot glue might not be safe for them to eat because it can block their intestines if they eat it.
Now that you know your hamster is safe around hot glue, keep reading to find out what happens if your hamster eats hot glue and why it is safe.
We will also explain how to use other types of glue if you don’t have hot glue.
How Safe is Hot Glue for Hamsters?
From what I’ve read on pet forums and veterinary websites, hot glue is safe for hamsters.
Pet owners say they have used hot glue to make toys for their hamsters and haven’t noticed any bad effects on the hamsters.
But it’s only safe if the glue is made to not be dangerous. Check that the label says “non-toxic” to make sure it’s safe for your hamster. If it’s not, keep looking until you find one that is.
People who own hamsters say that Elmer’s Children Safe Glue, Henkel Ponal Wood Glue, and Eco Bond Glue are the best hot glues for hamsters.
All three of these glues are safe for your hamster and do a good job of sticking things together.
People think that Elmer’s Wood Glue is one of the safest glues for pets because it is non-toxic and has a low VOC, which makes it very pet-friendly.
But you will still need to be careful and keep an eye on your hamster to make sure he doesn’t eat too much of this.
If your hamster eats hot glue, he might have trouble getting it out of his body, and you might need to take him to the vet soon.
You can buy these on Amazon, at Walmart, and at most stores that sell office supplies.
What Happens If A Hamster Eats Glue?
If a hamster eats glue made with water, the glue will break down in their stomachs and it will be fine.
But if they eat a lot of glue made of plastic, like hot glue, it could cause their stomach to get blocked.
If something blocks their way, they can die pretty quickly. Because of this, it is very important that your hamster doesn’t get to the glue.
Don’t use glue made from plastic if you can’t be sure the hamster won’t eat it.
Is Hot Glue Toxic To Hamsters?
Hot glue is not hazardous to hamsters when applied carefully and in tiny amounts.
Because hot glue does not emit toxic fumes, it is quite safe to use around your pet as a fun little toy or addition to his cage.
If he drinks the hot glue, things may become more complex. It is, however, not fatal. If your hamster consumes hot glue, it will flush it out of his system with enough fluids.
Of course, if you observe your hamster chewing hot glue, take him to the vet to ensure his vitals are in good working order.
Ingestion of hot glue may induce vomiting and diarrhea in your hamster in some situations.
Make your pet puke with the help of a vet-prescribed prescription so he can get it out of his system.
Keep a look out for other signs including a loss of appetite. If he exhibits these symptoms, take him to your nearest veterinarian facility.
They’ll be able to provide him with the necessary treatment and medication, allowing him to recover as quickly as possible and return to his healthy self!
What Glue Is Safe For Hamsters?
Don’t be concerned if you’re hesitant to use it near your hamster after reading about how hot glue might harm your pet if swallowed. Many other adhesives are pet-friendly.
White glue, such as Elmer’s glue, and other non-toxic glues, such as Eco Bond, are two examples.
If the adhesive is suitable for children and other pets, it is most certainly suitable for your hamster.
Is PVA Glue OK For Hamsters?
Polyvinyl acetate is used to make PVA glue. It’s non-toxic and hence safe for your hamster. PVA glue is preferable to hot glue because it dissolves when consumed.
Of course, if you find your pet eating glue, remove it from their cage immediately. It might cause stomach distress if consumed.
However, because it is water-soluble, it is less likely to produce a clog than hot glue.
What Glues Are Not Safe For Hamsters?
Some glues should never be used in the vicinity of your hamster’s habitat. Super glue, epoxy glue, and gorilla glue are examples of these glues.
All three of these glues might cause stomach upset. Gorilla glue is comprised of polyurethane, which is known to swell and harden in the stomach after being consumed.
It forms in the stomach, causing obstructions and pain. The only way to correct it is to remove it surgically.
If ingested, super glue can cause vomiting and seal up a pet’s throat. If it goes into the eyes, it can cause blindness and inflammation.
Hamsters have sensitive skin and might develop allergic responses when exposed to epoxy glue.
Diglycidyl ethers, which are used to make epoxy glue, have been linked to cancer. As a result, you should avoid using it around your hamster. However, it may be safe once dry.
Is Acrylic Glue Safe For Hamsters?
Acrylic glue is most likely dangerous to your hamster. It contains compounds that might irritate the skin, such as methyl methacrylate and cyanoacrylate.
If you opt to use glue near your pet, the fumes can be highly unpleasant, not only for your pet but also for you.
These side effects include headaches, loss of appetite, and a significant reduction in blood pressure.
How To Make Hamster-Safe Glue
You may build your own glue that is safe to use around all of your pets, not just your hamster if you want to be extra cautious.
All you need is flour and water to make it. Remember that flour glue isn’t very strong.
To make a weaker glue, combine one teaspoon of flour and two teaspoons of water.
For a stronger adhesive, use more flour than water, then heat it in a skillet until it boils and use it while it is still hot.
To avoid lumps, fully combine the flour and water in both types of glue. The thicker the adhesive, the stronger it is. There will be no difficulties if your hamster consumes this adhesive!
How To Make Hamster Toys Without Glue
If, after reading this, you are still hesitant to use glue to build toys for your pet, there are many toys you can construct out of everyday household objects.
Cardboard
Some of the simplest toys do not require construction. Simply offer your pet an empty toilet paper, paper towel, or duct tape tube.
You may also cut holes in a cardboard box to allow your pet to play in it.
You may construct a maze out of PVC pipes by sanding them down so they don’t have sharp edges and connecting different cardboard boxes.
Paper
A paper mache house is another possibility. All you need is paper, water, and a container in the shape of your house. Make sure the paper is non-toxic and free of ink, as ink can injure your pet.
To begin, cut your paper into strips. Then, moisten the container you’re using and stack the strips of paper onto it until it looks like what you want it to look like.
Allow it to dry overnight, then carefully remove the paper from the container and allow your hamster to explore.
You can also pack brown paper bags with bedding after cutting holes in them. Hide some treats in the bedding for your pet to find for added fun!
Flower Pot
If you have an extra flower pot, you can easily transform it into a lovely hamster dwelling.
Make an aperture for your pet to enter the house with a handsaw. Any rough edges that could damage your pet should be sanded.
Finally, turn the pot over and present it to your pet.
Non-Glue Alternatives To Avoid
You should avoid using tape, nails, or staples when crafting toys for your pet that do not require adhesive. Tape can be a choking hazard and is difficult for the hamster to digest.
If you use nails to construct something for your hamster, make sure they are well-covered. Deep scrapes or even eye damage can result from exposed nails or staples.
Nails and staples are so dangerous that you should inspect even store-bought toys regularly to guarantee they are not tainted.
If you notice an exposed nail or staple, remove the toy immediately.
Final Words
In this article, we talked about how hamsters can be safe around hot glue as long as they don’t eat it.
We also talked about what other kinds of glue are safe to use around your furry friend and what kinds are not.
We also talked about how flour and water can be used to make the glue that you can eat.
