Everyone should have their own place where they can relax in peace. This also applies to animals. Rats, for example, who are very sociable and in nature live in large groups, usually have their own place where they can recharge by the side of their fellow creatures. If you have a pet rat at home, maybe you have been thinking about purchasing a hammock for him. You can, of course, buy them in various sizes, shapes and patterns, but you can also make them yourselves at home. Today, we'll advise you on how to do it.
Various types and methods
As we've already mentioned, a hammock is a hanging nest for your pet to relax in. It is usually fixed to the top side of the cage, or in its corners. You can also have it hanging in the empty space. Home-made hammocks can be of various shapes and sizes, it depends on where inside the cage you want to position it and how much space you have for it. The design depends on your skills and also on how much time you want to allocate do this creative work. There are many simple ways of making a hammock for your pet rat.
Hammock from an old t-shirt
The most simple one, which everyone can manage to make, is a hammock fixed in a corner of the cage using knots; the hammock itself can be made from whatever you can find at home - e.g. a cotton t-shirt. Cut out a large triangle with longer tips for easier fastening and just tie it to the cage.
For lighter individuals
Another easy method requires a piece of fabric or a cleaning cloth and safety pins. It should be noted that these types of hammocks are suitable especially for smaller and lighter rats. Heavier individuals could pull the whole structure down and injure themselves as the hammock is made by attaching the safety pins to the edges of the fabric or cleaning cloth and then securing the safety pins to the cage. Do make sure that the safety pins don't stay open as your pet could get hurt.
Hammock of a professional finish
For those who aren't afraid of a more challenging production process we have a tip that will provide your pet with a very sophisticated place for relaxing. Stronger fabric is required, as well as ribbon, metal eyelets and hooks. You'll also need a sewing machine, which will help you create this miracle. To start with, you need to cut out the required shape from the fabric, hem the edges using the ribbon, leaving it longer at each end and sewing it into a loop around the metal eyelet. Hang the eyelets on the hooks distributed around the cage and the whole product is finished!
Various types on the market
These simple hammocks will provide your pets with plenty of fun and space to relax. If you're not up to the challenge of making one yourself or want to really spoil your pet, you will definitely choose from the wide offer of hammocks and hanging nests available on the market. In our article, we've introduced the basic types, but you can also purchase hanging tunnels, which will provide your pets with sufficient privacy in case they want to hide from the world.
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