During the festive season you might want to throw a night light or some extra light to your Hamster’s enclosure in either case, fairy lights are a simple and attractive solution that comes to the mind of most of us. But is it a wise idea to use it? Is fairy light safe for our little ones?
Although we can use fairy lights for decoration or lighting up our Hamster’s enclosure, it is not entirely safe. These lights possess some hazards for our little ones. We can minimize the risk either by taking preventive measures or by using some other decoration lighting options available in the market.
If you are planning to use these lights during their sleep time, then it is a bad idea as Hamsters do not need light during their sleep time.
Hamsters have poor vision anyway and they use their ability of hearing and smell for finding their way at night.
However, if you want to use the lights for decorating your Hamster’s enclosure, then you may go for rope lights instead of fairy lights.
What Are The Threats Fairy Light Possesses For My Hamsters?
These small and cute fairy lights possess a lot of threat to our Hamsters. Some reports even suggest that more than 1000 pets are affected every festive season by these lights.
Also, RSPCA issues a warning every year regarding these lights, yet most of us risk the lives of our pets.
Not let us understand how these little cute fairy lights affect our Hamsters. Let us learn about the potential hazards that fairy light possesses.
Chewing The Light Bulb & Cables
You must have known by now that your Hamsters will chew on anything they find. Chewing these light wires have the risk of electrocution & a threat to our little one’s lives is pretty high if they end up chewing the wire or the bulb.
You might think that you have placed the lights at the top part of the cage where it possesses no harm to your little ones but Hamsters are curious creatures.
Hamsters are very smart and some of them might be able to reach the wires or pull the lights by climbing onto something.
Some Hamsters have the capability to jump really high like mine does, then it will be an easy task for them to catch a hold on those lights.
The possibilities are endless, therefore you must consider there before installing a light in the cage.
My Favorites From Amazon. Check Them Out:
- Super cute bed
- Warm and cozy hammock
- Wooden Hideout
- Ceramic Hamster Cottage
- Niteangel Wooden Ladder Bridge
- Foldable Playpen
- Cage Cleaner
- Small Pets Play Toy
- Bearded Dragon House Hamster Supplies
Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all!
Getting Entangled
Your Hamsters will always try to get hold of the strings whenever they get a chance. If the strings ever fall off the hook, your little ones might end up pulling the light or even worse get entangled in it.
If your Hamster gets entangled in the strings, they may end up hurting themselves. Also, they might get anxious trying to get rid of the light.
You must be aware as these lights possess the risk of electrocution in your Hamsters.
Short Circuit & Fire
Most of the fairy lights available in the local market are of bad quality and often posses the risk of short circuits and fire in the households.
There have been incidents that were reported in the past, where overheating of the lights lead to fire in the house.
A few hours will not do any harm. However, you must not forget to turn off those lights when you are away as it possess the risk of overheating.
It would be best if you consider all the possible threats for the safety of your house as well as your pet before using those lights.
Disturb Their Day/Night Cycle
Researches show that using bright lights in our Hamster’s enclosure during day and night often disturbs the balance of their daily routine.
Using lights 24 hours a day might confuse might confuse your Hamsters, whether it is morning or night, and this often causes stress, depression and other health complications in them.
Also, you musst now that Hamsters prefer to be in the dark rather than in light. This is because they feel more secure in the dark, than in light.
Therefore, you must consider these few things while using the lights in and around your Hamster’s enclosure.
Recommended Reading:
- How Much Time Should You Spend With Your Hamster?
- Are Hamsters Scared Of Loud Noises? (Thunder, Firework & More)
- Top 16 Ways To Keep Your Hamsters Happy (Owner’s Guide)
- Top 12 Ways To Keep Your Hamsters Warm In Winters! (Complete Guide)
- How Do I Litter Train My Hamster? (Owner’s Guide)
How Can I Minimize The Risk For Our Hamsters?
By now, you must have understood what are the risks that fairy light possesses for our Hamsters.
Now, we shall discuss some of the ways to minimize the risk if you still want to use those lights.
Get Them A Good Quality Light
Although it may cost you a little high, you must choose to buy a quality product. It should be kept in mind especially when you plan to use them around your Hamsters.
A good quality fairy light often helps to reduce the chances of overheating and fire hazards.
Also, always go for copper-wired material light rather than aluminum-wired. Copper wired material have a high heating point and tend to last longer and are pretty safe
Always remember to go for a CE certified fairy light only. I have tried those lights in the past and they did work out pretty well for me.
Place The Light Up High
It is very important to place the lights up high where your Hamsters cannot reach them.
You must place the lights atleast 24-36 inches above the cage floor. Some Hamsters can are excellent climbers. Therefore i it recommended to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes it our little ones.
Many owners choose to attach the lights to the top of the cage however it should not be done. It possesses a risk of electricity passing through the cage wire itself if there are any leaks in the cable.
I personally use some secured hooks above the cage to hook the lights. Also, double check the lights and make sure that they are correctly secured, and there are no chances of the strings hanging into the cage.
Use A Timer
It would be wise to use a timer to keep a check on the lights, if you are not available all the time in the house. If you cannot afford a timer, the best option would be to keep the lights off while you are away.
You can use a time to set the lights On or Off when needed, this reduces the chance of overheating or any other potential hazard.
Light timers will also help you in case of any short circuit, therefore it is better to get one if you plan to use the lights.
Other Lights For Decoration
You can also use rope lights instead of string lights as they are a much safer option. In the rope lights, the wiring and light bulbs are covered with a thick rubber-like material therefore the risk of electrocution is pretty low.
Also, rope lights are tough to chew and get through thus chances of things going wrong are negligible with them. Even pet experts recommend rope lights over the string lights.
Is Battery Powered Light Safe For Hamsters?
Yes, the fact that a battery-powered fairy light is a much safer option for our Hamsters is true. This is because do not possess the threat of fire.
The heat produced in these kinds of light is very low because most of the battery-powered lights make use of led light instead of incandescent bulbs.
However, they still possess the risk of getting entangled or chewing up the battery if your Hamsters manage to reach there.
These batteries contain harmful chemicals that can be poisonous to our little ones. Therefore, it is recommended to stay cautious about it.
