View Single Post
Old 03-05-2020, 07:55 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Discourage chewing on cage?

No don't use anything on the wood to deter her. It isn't just that it's harmful but it's a fairly negative thing as well in terms of trying to bond with the hamsters. Also don't blow on her as some people do as that also creates a lack of trust. I also wouldn't use peanut butter - it's sticky and not good if stuck in their pouches. I think that is generally considered not a good idea.

She is trying to chew her way out, as hamsters do. Do you have a photo of her set up in the detolf as it's a large cage and sometimes it can be a bit open/bare for them. She may be less inclined to want to escape if it's how she likes it.

As well as her wheel maybe try having different areas of substrate depth - eg one end deeper than the rest or a higher level in the middle and lower levels either sde with her house at one end on a lower level and her wheel at the other end on a lower level. 20cm wide bendy bridges on their side can be used to "fence off" different substrate depths.

Large tunnels like cork logs also break up the space and can lead from one level to another. They also like quite a large house/nesting box that's dark inside - a shoebox with a hole cut for a door. Ideally cut the base out of the box and sit it on top of substrate so she can dig down under it to bury hoards. Then you can use the lid as a lift off roof to check inside. You can also fit a corner litter tray inside a large house (near the door end is best) and then they tend to use it. So you just take the houseroof off, empty the litter tray every few days and the cage stays mostly clean and dry. This benefits the hamster as less stress with cleanouts and means you can afford to put a lot more substrate in. Basically the more substrate - the less often you need to clean out and can just "spot clean" the odd handful occasionally if needed,and empty the litter tray.

The vitakraft chew sticks are usually popular but get demolished pretty quickly! If she's a chewer then also add lots of cardboard - for hides and tubes so she can chew on that - eg an tissue box or egg box. You can also make treat parcels out of toilet roll inners so they have to chew the toilet roll holder apart to get at the treats.

Quite a few things you can do with toilet rolls - this video from Erin's hamsters shows 10!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPeyD6w-CI
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote