So I'm going to try to make my own fleece toys for my gliders. I've seen a lot of toys have plastic parts or strings of beads. Are these safe for gliders to have in their cage unsupervised? I'm just worried about a bead getting loose or chewed off and they end up trying to eat it and choke or get poisoned or something. Anyone have any advice or can speak from years of experience having plastic or bead toys in cage?

Mine aren't chewers but here are the guidelines as I understand them:

1) NO glow-in-the-dark ANYTHING.
2) NOTHING metallic (because it can flake off and can harm your suggies).
3) Use non-toxic craft lace (my favorite brand is Rexlace).
4) Plastic toys, like those for toddlers (i.e. Fisher Price, Link N Learn Links aka "C Links") should be fine. I guess they're designed for human chewers, too?
5) Don't use anything bead smaller in diameter than a pony bead.

I don't think they would try to swallow anything as large as a pony bead but like I said, I don't have chewers. I imagine they would try to chew on it first, and when they don't break down, they give up? As a human, I wouldn't try to swallow an avocado pit. I imagine that's how they perceive it, but Idk.

I suppose certain plastics like rubber duckies were made so that if one's dog were to chew and swallow them, they would not be poisoned. Also, Idk...I DO know from being on the forums that if they do chew and swallow, they just poop it out and all is well.

But I got lucky: no chewers. Which means I get to make toys and save money because they are not destroyed in days!

Gonna go shop around for toys, beads and fleece today!! I'll be sure to follow those guidelines and see what I can find : )

Also going to pick up a hole saw to make a glider kitchen ^_^

Thank you for the info RC

Hey, no problem! That's what we're here for, right?

Oh, and Idk if you saw this but TJones posted this yesterday, about Glider Kitchens:

http://glidernursery.webs.com/kitchen.htm It uses a $7 soldiering iron. Don't know how much a hole saw costs but this will also save you from having to sand down the sharp edges.

MY rule is, I will run my wrist (because it's delicate) over any questionable edges. If it hurts my wrist, I will not risk it with my babies!

I think I can get a hole saw for around $20 and I can borrow my friends drill. Seeing as I don't have the steadiest hand and can't draw a very straight or circular line...that Soldiering Iron might not be the best idea for me, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. The wrist test sounds really good, I wouldn't dream of giving a rough sharp edge to my little furries : )

quote:

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Originally posted by RChurch


MY rule is, I will run my wrist (because it's delicate) over any questionable edges. If it hurts my wrist, I will not risk it with my babies!

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Haha I think I got that idea from you!

I have a question with a very similar question. I see RChurch said nothing metallic ... is that true of everything?? Are there perhaps plastic metallic beads that can be safe? Even if it's not super metallic but a goldish hue? I say this because I want to decorate my babies cage real lavish in the future and gold beads on toys would "dress it up" but i would not do this if it is not safe.

quote:

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Originally posted by piratektty

I have a question with a very similar question. I see RChurch said nothing metallic ... is that true of everything?? Are there perhaps plastic metallic beads that can be safe? Even if it's not super metallic but a goldish hue? I say this because I want to decorate my babies cage real lavish in the future and gold beads on toys would "dress it up" but i would not do this if it is not safe.

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Can you post a pic? I'm sort of a visual person. Sorry.

Well for example:
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=163687&F_All=Y

If they are metal beads is it okay?

quote:

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Originally posted by RChurch

Hey, no problem! That's what we're here for, right?

Oh, and Idk if you saw this but TJones posted this yesterday, about Glider Kitchens:

http://glidernursery.webs.com/kitchen.htm It uses a $7 soldiering iron. Don't know how much a hole saw costs but this will also save you from having to sand down the sharp edges.

MY rule is, I will run my wrist (because it's delicate) over any questionable edges. If it hurts my wrist, I will not risk it with my babies!

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Yup, got it, thanks. Oh, btw, is some craft lace toxic? I bought some from either Joannes or Michaels I think, I don't remember the brand, it came on a spool. I didn't think any would be toxic, but I don't have the wrapper to check it.

quote:

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Originally posted by piratektty

Well for example:
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=163687&F_All=Y

If they are metal beads is it okay?

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I am going to err on the side of caution and say no, I don't think this will be OK. I think that they may flake off and that's what's got me worried. It might not do anything...but I am not a risk-taker.

$3.99 for 7" strand vs. goodness knows how much you'd spend at the vet office trying to save your suggie's life.

Believe me: I've been tempted to get those fake Pirate gold coins to put in their cage but hesitated for this very reason!

quote:

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Originally posted by TJones09

Yup, got it, thanks. Oh, btw, is some craft lace toxic? I bought some from either Joannes or Michaels I think, I don't remember the brand, it came on a spool. I didn't think any would be toxic, but I don't have the wrapper to check it.

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Not sure about other brands as they do not say. If you got it at Michael's, I don't think it's Rexlace. Not sure about Joann's....Let me pull up their product line on line & get back to you.

quote:

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Originally posted by RChurch

quote:

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Originally posted by TJones09

Yup, got it, thanks. Oh, btw, is some craft lace toxic? I bought some from either Joannes or Michaels I think, I don't remember the brand, it came on a spool. I didn't think any would be toxic, but I don't have the wrapper to check it.

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Not sure about other brands as they do not say. If you got it at Michael's, I don't think it's Rexlace. Not sure about Joann's....Let me pull up their product line on line & get back to you.

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OK, I think it's safe to say that all craft lace--being an arts & crafts tool FOR KIDS--has to be non-toxic. I had it a moment ago and then lost the page before I could link it but it mentioned how Rexlace met up with some standards and it sounded very official.

Toner Brand is also listed as non toxic. But the thing is, a brand is not going to say "toxic" if it is...I am going to Michael's in a few...I will check again for you to see. Joann's sells Rexlace.