Cardboard

by River Fri 07 Oct 2016, 3:37 pm

I'm starting to suspect Graham had a wood allergy. Of course. The one I was hoping she wouldn't have, but ah well.
If she does, I'm really out of ideas for cardboard toys. Tubes and boxes arent the most entertaining things, and egg cartons and drink holders can get pretty tiring if theyre overdone. Anyone have ideas for these?
Also, I'm not sure what they should have to chew on. They've starting eating their bowl, their wheel, and their waterbottle - all plastic. I know they need to chew, but...on what?

by AnonymousMouseOwner Fri 07 Oct 2016, 3:50 pm

I bought one of these for my girls, it really helps their instinct to chew, and contains no wood, it also serves as a fun hide for them: https://www.walmart.com/ip/8In1-Pet-Products-3In1-Chew-Treat-Hide-Away-Wild-Harvest-Edible-Logz-8.5-Oz-Birds/10318464
There are plenty of different things you can make with cardboard and paper products! Just use your imagination, and you can look at setups in the housing pictures for inspiration!

by EverythingAnimal Fri 07 Oct 2016, 4:19 pm

I think AMO's idea is the best, but I'm also curious what would happen if you gave him cholla cactus wood. Now, I have no idea if it's safe, so that would have to be worked out first if you wanted to try, but I put it in my aquariums. Maybe it's an alternative to wood, though.

by AnonymousMouseOwner Fri 07 Oct 2016, 4:37 pm

Whoops, just looked at the ingredients, and realized it has some wood shavings in it Paper Bag

. There are chews with no wood though, if that one contains too much for your girl. I've never tried these but they look like they might work: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Bites-Small-Animal/dp/B01BFQ5IPO/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1475876168&sr=1-3&keywords=chews+small+animal

by MooMouse Fri 07 Oct 2016, 4:54 pm

My mouse's second favorite thing to chew(second to cardboard) are Ward's seagrass twists. Although I can't find thpsr in store anymore, there are these, which should be wood free:

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Foxbow-twisted-small-animal-toy-zid36-21628%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-21628

Mabye you can give these a shot too?

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fsuper-pet-natural-carrot-small-animal-toy-zid36-14639%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-14639

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fall-living-things-small-pet-taco-zid36-35973%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-35973

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fnational-geographic-trade-sisal-ball-small-animal-toy-zid36-21656%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-21656

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fnational-geographic-trade-small-animal-braided-chews-zid36-30240%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-30240

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fall-living-things-carrot-shaped-small-pet-chew-zid36-21634%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-21634

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fgrreat-choice-small-pet-loofa-chews-zid36-35931%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-35931

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fall-living-things-small-pet-rattan-fan-zid36-35976%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-35976

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fall-living-things-small-pet-burrito-chew-zid36-35972%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-35972

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=small-pet%2Ftoys-habitat-accessories%2Fsuper-pet-natural-woven-apple-small-animal-toy-zid36-14641%2Fcat-36-catid-600014%3Fvar_id%3D36-14641

Hope I was able to help!
P.s. Some of the toys I posted contained sisal. I don't know of sisal is wood or not, so just be careful with that.

by CallaLily Fri 07 Oct 2016, 5:34 pm

All of my mice have loved chewing cardboard. Loofah chews are another good option.

I agree with @AnonymousMouseOwner, there are lots of ways to make fun things with cardboard. This YouTuber has a lot of awesome ideas: Mice: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Oc_exncHt9hfSm7mnV1B4yVlbG-jeLU

May be a few ideas in the DIY section too.

by CanadianExport Sun 09 Oct 2016, 2:28 pm

You could also look in the bird toy section. They can be pricey sometimes but could be a fun change of pace. A lot of that stuff is wicker, cardboard, tissue paper, sea grass, and stuff like that which might be ok. Mine love shredding bird toys.

by River Mon 10 Oct 2016, 7:30 pm

Will any of these keep their teeth worn down?? That's my main concern about it all.
On a brighter note, I've just realized it could also be a hay allergy of some sort, having not known hay was a common allergen till now. Hopefully. Her scratching seems to be an off-and-on sort of thing - she'll grow all her fur back and a week or so later...she scratches. Again.

by CallaLily Mon 10 Oct 2016, 7:38 pm

Yes, they'll all help wear teeth down.

by River Wed 12 Oct 2016, 8:18 pm

Okay, thank you!
However I'm still stuck on new cardboard toys for them. The housing pictures actually doesn't have that many things for them to do out of cardboard, and foraging walls aren't an option for me. Everything I can find is just things they're bored of. I feel terrible for them, though, because they're just so bored. They've never really liked tubes, and they don't seem to like boxes much either. So basically, they've just got the wheel that they like - and obviously, that gets boring after a while! Any ideas?

by AnonymousMouseOwner Wed 12 Oct 2016, 8:26 pm

There's a ton you can do with cardboard, you just need to think beyond "it's just a tube" or "it's just a box". Make cardboard ladders, levels, hides, walls, just anything! There is so much you can do, just use your imagination! Smile

by River Wed 12 Oct 2016, 8:34 pm

I'll look into making ladders for them. I also have a ton of fleece now, so I can use that for some toys. Thank you, Anon! Smile

by Peachy Wed 12 Oct 2016, 8:54 pm

One thing that my girls just love is when I glue egg cartons on top of each other. You could also use TP rolls for legs to hold up cardboard levels to make a sort of MES. Poke holes in the legs and string up Cheerios. Play around with yogurt cups, old coffee containers, ceramic flower pots, mugs, glass jars, etc.

by River Wed 12 Oct 2016, 9:10 pm

Are terracotta plant pots safe?

by Peachy Wed 12 Oct 2016, 9:16 pm

Safe, though I imagine potentially stinky. Razz

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