The Issue with Hamster Mazes

[KittyJ]

I've seen too many viral YouTube videos of hamsters running through homemade hamster mazes. I mean, it sounds great. I'm sure they're fun to make and it's a good way to keep your hamster active and stimulated. Win-win, right? I don't think so. Most hamster mazes aren't safe for the hamster's physical or mental health. I don't know about you guys, but I would have anxiety and PTSD if I were put in one of these (life-size, of course).

Don't get me wrong, hamster mazes can be a fun activity for your hamster. It's possible to make a safe and simple maze for your little furbaby. Some are just too extreme, like a set for an Indiana Jones movie.

Animal cruelty isn't a rare thing on social media, from videos of people scaring their dogs or pictures of a cat with pink fur to cruel hamster mazes. No, people aren't beating their pets and I'm sure they don't realize that they're mistreating them. People just need to be more aware of the fact that animals can have mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or PTSD from traumatic events.

 

[SirMeow]

I've never heard of a hamster maze. So, presumably it gets stressed trying to find a way out? I'm not surprised, as mazes are inherently designed to frustrate with dead ends and wrong turns. Just how is that going to affect an animal of any size that's put into one and has no clue about these things?

 

[KittyJ]

Not really. I do imagine that just the poor thing trying to find a way out is stressful. I need to find a video of one for you. Some of the obstacles are almost traumatizing. I read a thread on Reddit earlier, and the OP said they saw one where they put crabs in the maze!

Lemme find a video real quick.

(Edit)

Found one:

 

[FF]

About a year ago, someone went viral for recreating the show "squid game" with a hamster maze. I believe It was proven that they fell over 2 feet off the bridge without any cushions or padding. That type of fall could easily kill an animal so small.

 

[KittyJ]

I've never heard of that. It sounds awful. I mean, just the fact that it's "squid games", you know death is involved. It breaks my heart.

 

[ReisMacand]

I completely agree with you! I recently saw an article on this topic at https://www.thepetproperty.com/hamsters/can-i-let-my-hamster-run-around-my-room/ and considered it from the other point of view. While the idea of a hamster maze might seem cute and fun, it's important to consider the safety of our furry buddies. It's crucial to ensure that any activity or environment we provide for our pets is safe and comfortable. Creating a too-complex or stressful maze can be overwhelming for hamsters and may even cause anxiety or other mental health issues.

 

[KittyJ]

Glad you agree! Really? It really angers me how unreasonable people can be.