The topic of glue is a sticky one when it comes to hamsters. One of the most common questions is whether it’s safe to be used around your hamster. So in the following article, we’re going to cover whether Elmer’s glue is safe for hamsters and answer more of the common questions when it comes to the sticky substance.
Elmer’s Glue is not safe for hamsters and shouldn’t be used in their cage or in any areas where your hamster may have access to chew and eat the material. While Elmer’s glue is listed as as non-toxic, your hamster will still try to eat the glue, which can cause digestive issues and choking hazards.
Now that we’ve answered the most important question, let’s provide a quick table of contents before we jump into the related questions.
And now let’s talk about why Elmer’s glue isn’t safe for hamsters to give you more context.
Why Is Elmer’s Glue Not Safe for Hamsters?
Now that know Elmer’s glue isn’t safe for your furry friend, you might be wondering why. After all, the bottle says non-toxic and kids play with it, so what’s the harm in adding a little glue to your hamster’s cage?
It boils down to the fact that glue while the glue is non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals, eating it can still cause stomach and other digestive issues. That’s why you see so many warnings for kids to not eat glue and the same sentiment goes for your hamster. Unfortunately, hamsters don’t listen as well as kids do, so the best way to prevent your hamster from eating glue is to keep out of their cage entirely.
Long story short, whatever you put in your hamster’s cage will be chewed on, gnawed at, and eaten, including their cage. Even if you tell them not to, they’re going to try the glue and may even like it enough to eat as much of it as they can. And while Elmer’s glue is non-toxic, that doesn’t mean it won’t cause issues if eaten.
Also, glue can pose a choking hazard since it hardens as a single piece of plastic-like material. And since your hamster doesn’t know the difference, they’ll try to eat the whole thing, potentially choking in the process.
All in all, it’s just not a good idea to use Elmer’s glue in your hamster’s cage or anywhere that they can try to eat it. Even non-toxic chemicals as well as choking hazards can lead to digestive issues, sickness, and even an untimely death.
Is Any Glue Safe for Hamsters?
There are no glues that are safe for hamsters because they either contain harmful chemicals that will lead to serious internal health issues or choking hazards if eaten. As a result, it’s best to keep glue out of your hamster’s cage.
As mentioned in the previous section, glue is harmful to hamsters and should never be used around them. That includes Elmer’s glue, wood glue, rubber cement, and more. All of them either contain harmful chemicals that can lead to digestive issues and can pose choking hazards if they’re eaten, which your hamster will attempt.
Harmful chemicals in glue include:
- Toluene
- Xylene
- Formaldehyde
- Ethanol
- Benzene
- And more…
Any of those chemicals listed above are often found in many different types of glue. Those are some of the most toxic chemicals that can cause serious issues if ingested, however in full transparency most of those are not found in Elmer’s non-toxic glue. So while you may think Elmer’s glue is safe, it’s still a risk not taking if you want to ensure your furry friend’s health.
Glue poses a choking hazard, but it’s also very sticky and your hamster can easily become entangled in it, panic, and start chewing at their own limbs to get unstuck. While this may seem like an extreme example, it happens quite often when hamsters get stuck and start to panic.
When it comes to glue and your hamster, just keep them apart. The benefits you get from glueing something in their cage or creating a nice arts and craft type of toy just aren’t worth the risks if your hamster decides to consume some or all of the glue.
Can Hamsters Eat Glue?
Hamsters can and will try to eat glue if you put it in their cage. They’re naturally curious animals and one of their main exploratory senses is taste, meaning they’ll try just about anything they can get their paws on.
“Can hamsters eat” is the start to a common question and one that we’ve written about plenty on this site, including what fruits can a hamster eat, what vegetables can a hamster eat, and what odd foods can a hamster eat.
In fact, it’s so common that there are thousands of different searches every year for what hamsters can and can’t eat. And the reason for all of these questions is that hamsters will try to eat just about anything you put in their cage and even the cage itself. Paper towel rolls, plastic igloo homes, wheels, rope toys, DIY homemade toys, porcelain bowls, their water bottle, and more, including glue.
It’s safe to say that whatever goes in their cage will be chewed on at some point, which is why it’s so important to be cognizant of what you’re putting in their cage. You have to think your hamster will at least nibble at everything that goes in their cage.
Now, the question of whether hamsters can eat glue is two-fold. They will try, but they shouldn’t eat glue, as evident from the previous sections in this article. So you should do everything in your power to keep glue out of their reach.
There are plenty of other safe and nutritious foods that you should be putting in their cage before harmful and potentially toxic chemicals.
Additional Reading
If you’re interested in reading more about a hamster’s digestive system, foods that are safe to eat, and more, check out the related articles below for additional information:
- Digestive System of Hamsters – ZooPlus
- 3 Ways to Make Toys for Hamsters – WikiHow
- Household Glue Poisoning – Medline Plus
Conclusion
Glue is not safe for hamsters and should be avoided at all costs. While some glue like Elmer’s white glue are listed as non-toxic, the sticky substance can still cause digestive issues, choking hazards, and even result in your hamster getting stuck leading to panic and harm.
It’s just not worth it to introduce glue into their cage that can potentially result in a trip to the veterinarian. Glue contains tons of different chemicals many of which are unsafe and even downright harmful if consumed.
If you can avoid it, whatever you were trying to do with glue should be attempted with something else that is safer for your furry friend.