Willow bridge 28 cm for small rodents

Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm for small rodents

The Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm is a natural, flexible bridge made of untreated willow wood. Thanks to its flexible shape, you can use the bridge in multiple ways: as a tunnel, shelter, step, bridge, small roof, or low wall in a natural setting.

For small rodents such as mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils, this size is generous enough to use as a sheltered tunnel or hiding place. In a hamsterscape or gerbilscape, you can also use the willow bridge as a route, partition, or support for landscaping material.

Advantages of the Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm

✔ Made of natural willow wood
✔ Bendable and therefore versatile
✔ Suitable as a tunnel, bridge, hiding place, or stepping stone
✔ Also fun as natural gnawing material
✔ Ideal for hamsterscaping and gerbilscaping

Why choose a willow bridge?

A willow bridge is one of the most versatile products for a rodent enclosure. You can bend it, lay it down, stand it upright, or use it as a sheltered passageway. As a result, the bridge helps to furnish an enclosure not only more beautifully, but also more logically and richly.

Shelter is important for small rodents. A willow bridge can transform an open patch of bedding into a safe route, an extra hiding place, or an entrance to another part of the enclosure. This gives your animal more freedom of choice: crawling underneath, going over, along, or sheltering inside.

In addition, willow wood is a natural gnawing material. Rodents are allowed to gnaw on the bridge. However, check the bridge regularly for wear, protruding wires, or sharp parts, especially if your animal likes to gnaw a lot.

How do you use the willow bridge in the enclosure?

• Bend the bridge into a tunnel or cave and place it on the ground cover.
• Use it as a step to a low platform or other safe part of the enclosure.
• Place it at an angle like a small bridge, as long as it remains stable.
• Stand it upright as a small wall to hold back ground cover or aquascaping material.
• Combine it with moss, cork, tunnels, and natural ground cover for a tranquil scape.

For hamsters and dwarf hamsters, preferably place the bridge low in the enclosure. These animals are not very good climbers and have poor depth perception. Therefore, do not make the ramp too steep and ensure that no high points of failure are created.

Place upright as a low fascia wall

You can also use a willow bridge upright as a small wall to hold back ground cover, moss, humus, or other landscaping material. This is useful when you want to create different zones in the enclosure, for example, a higher digging layer next to a lower sandy area.

When placing it upright, always pay close attention to the gaps between the willow sticks. Small legs can get caught in openings when the bridge is used as a walkway or low wall. Therefore, seal open gaps with, for example, dried moss or other suitable landscaping material, and check regularly that everything remains neatly in place.

• Set the bridge down firmly and stably.
• Fill larger crevices with dried moss or suitable landscaping material.
• Check that no legs can get caught in openings.
• Do not use the bridge as a high wall from which your animal can fall.
• Regularly check that the bridge has not shifted or been undermined.

For which animals is the Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm suitable?

• Mouse: suitable as a tunnel, bridge, climbing route, or hiding place. Mice are good climbers, but make sure the bridge is stable.
• Dwarf hamster: suitable as a tunnel, hiding place, or low step in a hamsterscape. Do not use it as a high or steep climbing bridge.
• Hamster: suitable as a hiding place, tunnel, or low bridge. For larger Syrian hamsters, the bridge may be a bit cramped as a sleeping house, depending on the curvature.
• Gerbil: suitable as a tunnel, hiding place, bridge, or part of gerbilscaping. Gerbils can gnaw vigorously, so check the bridge regularly.
• Rat or pygmy rat: can be used as gnawing material or a low bridge, but this size is usually too small as a hiding place.

For guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, and degus, this willow bridge can primarily serve as gnawing material, a low step, or a small bridge. As a hiding place, this size is usually too small for these animals. For larger animals, it is better to choose a larger willow bridge if you really want to create a tunnel or hiding place.

Material and dimensions

• Material: wood (willow)
• Dimensions: approx. 28 × 17 cm
• Use: bridge, tunnel, hiding place, stepping stone, low wall, or gnawing material
• Special feature: the size may vary slightly due to the thickness of the willow wood used.
• Safety advice: only offer under supervision and check regularly for wear

Because willow wood is a natural material, every bridge may vary slightly in shape, thickness, and appearance. That is precisely what makes the product beautifully natural. Gently bend the bridge into the desired shape and check if it stands stably afterwards.

Is the willow bridge nail-free?

Yes, a willow bridge contains no nails or staples. The willow sticks are connected with flexible wire. However, check the bridge regularly, especially if your animal gnaws a lot. If the wire becomes visible or the bridge gets damaged, replace the bridge.

Animal welfare label

This willow bridge bears the Tierschutz-Kennzeichen. This seal of approval is awarded to products that have been positively assessed according to Austrian animal welfare regulations. The assessment takes into account legal requirements, current insights, practical experience, and product tests, among other factors.

For you as an owner, this provides extra guidance when choosing a natural furnishing product. Additionally, always ensure proper use, stable placement, and regular checks for wear and tear.

Cleaning and maintenance

• Regularly shake loose bedding, sand, or food residue out of the bridge.
• Only lightly dry clean the bridge when possible.
• Preferably use the bridge in a dry place.
• Check regularly that the wire does not become visible.
• Replace the bridge if it is damaged, sharp, or heavily gnawed.

Willow wood looks its best when used dry. If the bridge gets wet or dirty, let it dry thoroughly and check if the wood is still neat and sturdy.

Good to know

• Gently bend the bridge into shape so that the wood and wire remain neat.
• Use it low for hamsters and dwarf hamsters.
• Seal off gaps when using the bridge upright as a low wall.
• Check regularly for wear, gnaw marks, and visible wire.
• Replace the bridge when it is no longer safe or sturdy.

Frequently asked questions about the Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm

Is this willow bridge suitable for dwarf hamsters?

Yes, the willow bridge is suitable for dwarf hamsters. Use it as a tunnel, hiding place, or low step. Do not make the bridge too steep and avoid high points of failure.

Is this willow bridge suitable for mice?

Yes, mice can use the bridge as a tunnel, hiding place, climbing route, or bridge. Just make sure the bridge is stable and cannot shift.

Is this willow bridge suitable for gerbils?

Yes, gerbils can use the bridge as a tunnel, hiding place, bridge, or as part of gerbilscaping. Check regularly for gnawing marks, as gerbils can gnaw vigorously.

Can I use the willow bridge upright as a low wall?

Yes, that is possible. Place the bridge firmly and seal any open gaps with, for example, dried moss or suitable landscaping material. This will prevent little legs from getting caught in openings.

Is the willow bridge suitable for rabbits or guinea pigs?

Rabbits and guinea pigs can gnaw on willow wood, but this size is usually too small as a proper hiding place. For larger animals, you would prefer a larger willow bridge if you want to create a tunnel or shelter.

May my pet gnaw on the willow bridge?

Yes, willow wood is suitable as natural gnawing material. Check the bridge regularly and replace it when it is severely damaged or when the wire becomes visible.

Why might the size vary slightly?

Willow wood is a natural product. The thickness of the pieces of wood can vary, meaning the exact size and shape may differ slightly from bridge to bridge.

Is the willow bridge nail-free?

Yes, the bridge contains no nails or staples. The pieces of wood are connected with flexible wire. Do check regularly to ensure that the wire does not become visible or accessible anywhere.

Useful shopping links

• All willow bridges
• Platforms & ladders
• Tubes & tunnels
• Chewing material
• Hamsterscaping
• Gerbilscaping
• Dried moss

Combine the Elmato Willow Bridge 28 cm with bedding, tunnels, moss, and natural decorations. This way, you create an enclosure with more routes, hiding places, and freedom of choice for your animal.