5 replies to this topic

[Schang]

Hi there,
I’m new to the forum; no hamster yet, but I’m in the process of setting up an enclosure. Do any of you seal (or not seal!) the Niteangel products that are made of bamboo? In particular I’m thinking of the platform top for the Silent Runner wheel, and the water bottle stand - both are made of smooth bamboo, and if I don’t have to ModPodge it, that’s be great. (I’ve ModPodged the large Niteangel 3-room hideout + the support legs to the running wheel platform, since those are clearly absorbent wood, but it left them extremely rough, which will make cleaning less pleasant.) This will be out first hamster (male Syrian, hopefully bringing him home next week as opposed to tomorrow….), so I’m not betting on the litter training going well. (I had cats for 25 years, fish for 10, mice for 3, and we’ve babysat Guinea pigs, so this will be the first time we’ll be dealing with an animal that may or may not litter train itself - the others were all obviously yes or no.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[imhungry]

Hi there,
I’m new to the forum; no hamster yet, but I’m in the process of setting up an enclosure. Do any of you seal (or not seal!) the Niteangel products that are made of bamboo? In particular I’m thinking of the platform top for the Silent Runner wheel, and the water bottle stand - both are made of smooth bamboo, and if I don’t have to ModPodge it, that’s be great. (I’ve ModPodged the large Niteangel 3-room hideout + the support legs to the running wheel platform, since those are clearly absorbent wood, but it left them extremely rough, which will make cleaning less pleasant.) This will be out first hamster (male Syrian, hopefully bringing him home next week as opposed to tomorrow….), so I’m not betting on the litter training going well. (I had cats for 25 years, fish for 10, mice for 3, and we’ve babysat Guinea pigs, so this will be the first time we’ll be dealing with an animal that may or may not litter train itself - the others were all obviously yes or no.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hello! The platform and water bottle stand likely won't need to be sealed since your future ham probably won't pee in those areas. I used mod podge for my wood items too, but I personally wouldn't recommend it. It takes a whole month to cure and even then it's not very water resistant. I think it'd be okay, but if you want to be extra safe and protect your wood items, looking for a more effective sealer is the way to go. Also if your wood items are expensive, investing in a good sealer will save you a lot of money! The one I use is plastikote which you can get on amazon.

[~Boba the Hammy~]

It's already pretty waxed and I've never had problems, so I would say no

[Schang]

Thanks so much, imhungry and Boba the Hammy! I wasn’t sure how staining their poop is (the Guinea pig’s is 😱); grateful to skip treating the bamboo. I’ll look for the Plastikote!

[squigglesthehamster]

Adding onto everyone else, I actually own both the platform wheel and water bottle holder (I love niteangel products, bless amazon).

 

Hamsters are tidy animals -- generally,  they'll only pick 1-2 places to pee in their cage. Almost always a corner; they're very easy animals to litter train. They're also intelligent enough not to pee on their resources (food and water), so you certainty wont have any problem with the water bottle. I would avoid putting the wheel against against any corners of the cage--then, you should have no issues at all. 

[Schang]

Thanks, squiggles! We’d planned on putting the wheel in a back corner, so you saved us some misery.