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Pebbles82 · 03-17-2019, 01:50 PM

Your next hamster may not bite the bars on the detolf, so don't worry. The main thing is have the cage set up so the hamster feels secure - with plenty of enrichment. They sometimes bar chew if they don't feel safe and can't hide anywhere - as if wanting to escape.

A large cage like that is great but sometimes people don't have enough "cover" in it and it can feel a bit exposed. A large house that's dark inside helps - the hamster has somewhere to retreat to that's dark, when needed, and build a large nest in. Different levels in the cage break up the large open space into interesting areas. I think it's essential to have a shelf/platform as well as a house that's dark inside. That gives some "overhead cover" - something they can sit under so they feel secure out in the open. Large floor tunnels can also be good - eg the large cork log tunnels - the fill a large floor area, make a nice dark tunnel and interesting texture to climb over - they're light so don't sink into the substrate.

You could even have one end as really deep substrate, like a digging end, which makes the rest feel cosier. Google "Hamster detolf" and select images, for some ideas - there are a few German set ups come up which have loads of enrichment. It doesn't have to be all "natural" but there are lots of ideas out there to make the space into an interesting habitat.

If your new hamster does start to chew the bars in the detolf, one solution is to wrap sisal string round all the bars, which covers them. The hamster may still chew but their teeth won't get damaged and they may give up when the bars are covered in sisal. Plus it would take some chewing through.

03-17-2019, 01:50 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Bar biting in big cage? Your next hamster may not bite the bars on the detolf, so don't worry. The main thing is have the cage set up so the hamster feels secure - with plenty of enrichment. They sometimes bar chew if they don't feel safe and can't hide anywhere - as if wanting to escape. A large cage like that is great but sometimes people don't have enough "cover" in it and it can feel a bit exposed. A large house that's dark inside helps - the hamster has somewhere to retreat to that's dark, when needed, and build a large nest in. Different levels in the cage break up the large open space into interesting areas. I think it's essential to have a shelf/platform as well as a house that's dark inside. That gives some "overhead cover" - something they can sit under so they feel secure out in the open. Large floor tunnels can also be good - eg the large cork log tunnels - the fill a large floor area, make a nice dark tunnel and interesting texture to climb over - they're light so don't sink into the substrate. You could even have one end as really deep substrate, like a digging end, which makes the rest feel cosier. Google "Hamster detolf" and select images, for some ideas - there are a few German set ups come up which have loads of enrichment. It doesn't have to be all "natural" but there are lots of ideas out there to make the space into an interesting habitat. If your new hamster does start to chew the bars in the detolf, one solution is to wrap sisal string round all the bars, which covers them. The hamster may still chew but their teeth won't get damaged and they may give up when the bars are covered in sisal. Plus it would take some chewing through.