Is Hot Glue Safe For Hamsters? [Everything You Should Know]

Many veterinarians are still on the fence about this question. Is hot glue safe for hamsters? Pet owners always have to think twice before exposing these little creatures to anything.

Given how tiny and sensitive these furry mates are, it is only right to do so. However, why does one need to have hot glue around hamsters after all? Let’s find out.

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Why Do Pet Owners Need Hot Glue?

So, you just brought home your adorable little pet hamster. What now? You’re noticing a lack of physical activity, and it’s time you did something about it.

Hamsters require a whole lot of care in this department. Let boredom seep in, and you’ll see it getting sick in no time.

A few fun wheels and a bunch of toys are all these little guys need for some entertainment. It isn’t unknown that hamsters require a lot of physical stimulation to stay healthy.

Pet owners often need enough toys and materials to keep them engaged. When it comes to building a cage and everything inside it, the use of hot glue becomes inevitable.

Is Hot Glue Safe For Hamsters?

Since it does not release toxic fumes, it is generally considered harmless. However, that doesn’t mean you should throw your hamster in the glue mesh to play.

Consuming any type of chemical can be life-threatening, whether in the form of food or hot glue. Even though it is usually non-toxic, hot glue is still plastic-based. Hence, it shouldn’t be anywhere near them, in case they end up tasting it.

On the other hand, water-based glue is much safer and poses no threat to their health. Even if your hamster accidentally consumes it, the glue will readily dissolve in its stomach.

What If Your Hamster Consumes Hot Glue?

In short, they will experience a significant blockage in their stomach. What happens following it can be pretty graphic. Hence, do not place hot glue near your pet unless you have the proper safety standards.

Observe them for any signs of distress or constipation. Carry them to a good vet immediately. In some instances, hot glue poisoning can even kill a hamster within a few minutes.

What Makes Glue Non-Toxic for a Hamster?

In a nutshell, the glue’s ability to dissolve with water makes it safe. Even if your pet accidentally eats it, the adhesive can easily break down in their stomach, posing no threat to their life.

On the other hand, if it is made of material that doesn’t mesh well with water, then it can cause severe blockages inside a hamster’s body.

Can You Make Safe Glue At Home?

The good news is that you don’t necessarily need hot glue to build your hamster’s cage or toys. Other types of glue also do a pretty decent job with zero risk involved.

One such type is the one you can make out of flour and water. All you have to do is mix the two ingredients and cook them until the mixture is sticky and gooey.

This self-made glue might not be as clean to work with as hot glue. However, even if your hamster consumes it, no health risk will be involved.

Other glues that are generally considered safe are white glue gun sticks and bottled glue. Make sure to spread it as thinly as possible so your hamster doesn’t see it as something edible.

Can Hot Glue Kill Your Hamster?

Remember, hot glue doesn’t usually kill hamsters. It is only once they have made contact with it that the problem arises.

People assume that only consuming it can put a hamster’s life at risk. However, that is far from the truth. Eating it is only one way your pet suffers.

What if it gets stuck in it? There’s a good chance your hamster will be curious to find out what it is. In that quest, they might get too close to it. Once they do, they might consider touching it. That’s when it all goes down.

If the glue has dried up, there shouldn’t be a problem. However, if it hasn’t, your hamster can get stuck in a mess and even die in the worst-case scenario due to dehydration.

How Can You Keep Your Hamsters Safe from Hot Glue?

While creating a few toys for your furry friend doesn’t hurt, not following the correct safety protocols can put everything at stake. Is there a way to keep your hamster safe around hot glue? Yes, there is.

Only Buy a Child-Safe Glue

Since there are different variations even within hot glues, professionals always recommend choosing a child-safe one.

Let the Glue Dry for a Day

It isn’t called hot glue for nothing. While it doesn’t pose a threat from a distance, any form of contact can conveniently burn your hamster.

As a result, they may end up in excruciating pain. If the glue accidentally gets in a hamster’s eye, know that it will not end well.

So, let the glue dry before letting your hamster near it. Furthermore, if you don’t let it solidify completely, your hamster may fall off the toy while playing.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

If your hamster has come in contact with the glue, ensure not to let it ingest it. While it won’t take its life, it also won’t bestow any favors upon it.

Cover everything up adequately. In the event that your hamster ingests a lot of it, help it puke it out or take it to a veterinarian right away.

Follow the Complete Safety Precautions

One of the biggest mistakes most pet owners make is using hot glue near the hamster cage. Even if your pet is inside it, it doesn’t automatically make them immune to danger.

Tiny drops of hot glue here and there are equally harmful to their health. Your hamster can still come in contact with it; if it does, its skin can be exposed to certain reactions.

Some of them include itching, irritation, and peeling. Make sure to wear gloves before you begin working on a project, and only touch your pet once you’ve taken the gloves off.

What Other Glues Should You Avoid?

If you have even the slightest concern for your pet hamster’s health, think twice before purchasing any glue. Some of them contain harmful chemicals, such as cyanoacrylate. This chemical can induce toxic reactions inside their body, such as choking and vomiting.

Glue isn’t safe for your hamster just because it isn’t toxic. Infections, irritation, and pain that follow the ingestion of certain adhesives can make your hamster sick. It may even contribute to vision loss if it gets into your furry baby’s eyes.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a widely used glue across the United States, especially in resin art. Since it is one of the hardest glues, professionals recommend against using it. If a hamster is involved in the equation, this type of glue should be kept far away from the house.

Hamsters are likely to undergo distress if they come in contact with it. It can also trigger allergic reactions such as fever, vomiting, and skin irritation.

Gorilla Glue

Gorilla glue is a famous polyurethane adhesive that also has diisocyanate in it. It is much more toxic than epoxy glue and can stimulate irritation inside your pet’s gastrointestinal tract.

This glue blends with the stomach fluid as soon as your hamster ingests it. In response, it spreads and blocks your pet’s esophagus and intestines.

What Advantages Does Hot Glue Have?

Despite its dangers, hot glue isn’t all that bad. For one, it is easy to use and doesn’t break the bank.

All it takes is a few minutes to set it up. You’ll have a perfect temporary bond for any small project.

What Other Disadvantages Does Hot Glue Have?

Besides being hot and dangerous, this glue can easily catch fire. Hence, ensure not to keep it near a stove, a lighter, or any other heat source.

Getting it off your hamster’s body once it has touched it is tough. Even your hamster can catch fire if it comes too close to a heat source.

Final Words

It’s safe to conclude that your hamster’s life won’t be at risk just by being near hot glue. However, is hot glue safe for hamsters? Just because being near it isn’t causing significant damage to your pet does not mean it’s entirely safe.

Hot glue can easily catch fire and is typically very, very hot. It can also trigger certain reactions, such as gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and blockage.

In a nutshell, your furry baby is better off without it. However, as a pet owner, you must ensure that all safety precautions are in place while you work with it.

Hamsters are sensitive to activities around them. Toxic fumes and loud sounds can pose a threat to their health. This is why you must ensure not to carry out any such activities close to their cages.