A tutorial on how to make a popsicle stick digging tower for hamsters. It's a great toy and boredom breaker for hamsters that love to dig. It also makes a good hideout and sleeping place too!
This digging tower is designed to fit in a bin cage or tank, but you could make a standalone version by adding panels of glass or perspex.

If you make this, I'd love to see it! Let me know if your hammy enjoyed it :D

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What if my hamster chews it?
Check regularly for damage, sanding down any sharp, chewed edges, or just replace any damaged sticks individually.

What if my hamster pees in it?
If you're worried about this, you can apply some brushon plastikote (a nontoxic enamel safe for hamsters, but not the spray on kind) to the floors so that they can just be disinfected and wiped clean.
Since Vanilla is potty trained, I didn't need to. You might be interested in the potty training video on my channel

What sticks should I use?
Use the natural, dyefree popsicle sticks. You can get these very cheaply online or in craft stores. The ones I use are the regular, 4.5 inch ones.

What tools should I use to cut the sticks?
The best tools for chopping would be anvil secateurs, wire cutters, or something similar. If your only option is scissors, the further in the blades you cut the stick, the more control you will have over it.
As for cutting the intricate shapes, you'll need a craft knife or something similar. rather than cutting above like with paper, cut from the side of the stick as if the knife was a tiny saw cutting a tiny plank of wood Cut from each side of the shape alternately, removing the splint between them so that you can get deeper into the shape.

What glue should I use?
Any glue that is nontoxic and water soluble e.g. PVA, Elmer's and school glue. If the hamster were to accidently swallow a little, it would just dissolve. Since hot glue is not water soluble, it would not dissolve, and could cause blockages, which is why I don't recommend it.

What paint can I use?
You could either dye the sticks with natural food dye, or paint them with a petsafe paint like Soy Paint. You could mix white Soy Paint and natural food dyes to make your own colours.

What small pet can fit in this tower?
The tower is the right size for mice, dwarf hamsters, gerbils and Syrian hamsters. And maybe other baby small animals.

Can I make this house for my other small pet?
Yes, but you will need to scale it up, e.g. for rats, multiply all the stick counts by about 1.251.75. Before you glue anything, lay down all the sticks to make sure it's the right size.

What type of hamster is Vanilla?
He's a Syrian

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