[Pebbles82]

Was going to ask the same as Cypher - about photo and substrate. And how often you clean her out or change things?

I think this can settle down but it takes a bit of patience and working out what is stressing her. In my experience, when they are trying to escape from a good sized cage it is either because a) something isn't right in the cage or b) something is causing them stress.

How long has she been in the new cage? The rule of thumb when moving to a new cage is - move all the old bedding over with her (sprinkle it on top) and try and keep the layout similar - so it's familiar. Also it's like starting from scratch with a new hamster in that they need the two weeks settling in time with no cleaning out or moving things around during that time.

Removing all their scent can really stress them as they feel a bit homeless and in unfamiliar territory - hence trying to escape. Also a cage change is a big thing so they do need time to adjust.

So if she was moved "cold Turkey" with all new clean stuff and a different layout eg - she will probably be stressed and have all kinds of behaviour.

The only time I have had something similar to what you describe, was after our last Syrian (who was tame, settled and never bar chewed) was left somewhere else while we were away for 10 days - his entire cage went with him so everything was the same in his cage but it was a different house. He apparently started to freak out around the end of the day 10 day period just before we collected him. When we got him home he was behaving as you describe.

He was frantic to be out all the time and bar chewing - and a bit manic - it was quite upsetting. Once out he would settle down but would start up again as soon as he was back in his cage. I tried a number of things - set up a playpen round the cage and left the door open so he could get in and out when he wanted. He stopped bothering to come out then as he realised he couldn't get very far but was still a bit manic and basically running round in a circuit over and over. And as soon as I shut the cage door for the night he started bar chewing again.

We then noticed it stopped if we turned the lights out and left the room. So started going to bed early and turning the lights out.

Eventually, with this, it settled but it took a good two weeks and a full cage clean (ironical as normally that stresses them but in this case it removed any smells from the other house he had been in and sort of shocked him out of it) he wasn't like the hamster we knew.

Basically they don't cope well at all with changes of environment and a cage change is like that really - their familiar habits change.

So time and patience I think - I know how stressful and frustrating it can be though.

So some is a bit attention seeking, which can become a habit - they make a fuss, you let them out. On the other hand it is necessary for a while to help them settle.

I would suggest starting from scratch as if she was a new hamster. ie make sure her cage set up has the following

1) She will need at least 4 to 5 inches of substrate whether she digs in it or not - if it's a tank style I'd say 6" at least. It's so they can bury hoards and move it around etc.

2) Somewhere dark to retreat to - eg a shelf and a large hide/house that is dark inside. They always need somewhere dark to go to. Eg a shoe box house with a hole cut for a door and a bendy bridge tunnel over the door (makes it dark inside) and gives a tunnel entrance). That in itself can sometimes sort things. Giving them a big new house that's dark inside. If she doesn't have something like that, just make one out of a shoebox or similar and pop it over the top of her nest.

3) Not too much open space. While large cages are great for the space they need to be active, especially at night - they can feel too exposed if it's a bit of an open set up and not much "overhead cover". The large house can help with this, but some kind of shelf or platform at one end or along the full length at the back would help - then they can get from one end to the other under cover. This is easier to do in a cage than a tank as you can attach things to the roof. Large tunnels can help. Maybe hang a hammock from the top mesh on the lid - if she's a chewer (which it sounds like) just make one out of a piece of cardboard or something - with sisal string knotted at the corners so you can tie it up. If you don't have sisal string, plastic cable ties would do. But not something like paperclips as she could get her foot caught and break a leg or something. Just so it gives some darkness underneath from the top.

4) Simple things like checking she can reach her water bottle and food bowl and her wheel is working properly - I assume it's big enough.

5) Don't move anything round or clean anything for at least two weeks. If she has a sand dish or litter tray put it where she normally pees and get things set up right then don't touch anything for two full weeks. And especially not her nest or hoards.

Apologies if you know all this already. Sometimes it can be them trying to tell you something isn't right - sometimes it is just stress that needs time to settle. But the one thing that can really stress them and make them want to escape is cleaning out and changing things as it removes all their familiar scent.

It can take two weeks for them to scent mark everything in the cage to work out where it is and to get into a familiar route round the cage and familiar habits in the cage.

Try not to feel stressed with her - as she will pick up on that and it will make her worse. It can help to try and think they are upset and talk gently to them.

But once everything is checked as fine then really you will need to ignore her a bit and only get her out at a set time every day.

A photo would really help - sometimes something can be spotted that is a very small thing but would help the hamster settle.

I find they are really not that interested in toys - but toys and tunnels fulfil the purpose of filling up open space and providing hidey places and things to chew on.

Does she chew cardboard? If so give her old toilet roll inners or cardboard egg boxes to rip apart. And masses of nesting material.

Is the room warm enough?

I do hope something in here helps but don't give up on her yet - you just need to find what works for her. Some females can be a bit maverick, especially if on heat, but it could also be a time thing for her to settle into her cage.