How to (possibly) prevent bar chewing in Gabber Rex cage..

[Holly]

Simply turn 4 "Chubes" (pet shop or ebay) into roof runs for the area above the shelf preventing your hamster trying to reach up when standing on the shelf:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4929.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4928.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4927.jpg

Mocha can squeeze in the tube at either end so has another thing to play on but (touch wood) he doesn't seem able to reach the roof bars. He's spent ages trying but just can't!

The unfortunate thing is that Caramel has discovered roof-bar chewing :( ...she isn't doing it as much a Mox but this morning I noticed a small patch of worn fur on her nose....so she may well end up with the same set-up :roll:

[souffle]

Looks good Holly. Heres hoping it works. You will be spending a fortone on roof runs!!! Good idea and extra toy too! :lol:

[suga]

Holly - that looks great.

Can the hammy get inside the coloured tubes? The cage fuzee has she can only reach the bars and plastic at one end as the shelf only sits on one side. In theory this will stop the chewing I think. Is that 2 tubes you have used and are they held on with cable ties? - Duh I just had another look - its 4!

thanks

[babyboos]

what a great idea

[Holly]

It's definitely working - Mocha has been unable top chew the bars since I put the tubes in. I've given him an extra dog biscuit and a large piece of apple branch but I don't think he's overly enamoured with them as substitutes :roll:

Caramel has been bar chewing more and more and she now has a pale slightly rubbed area on her nose so my main job for the weekend is to fix her cage up in the same way - for now it's blocked with a piece of wood and some tiles.

One thing - is there any evidence that a bar chewing habit is genetic? Caramel is possibly going to have a litter later this year so I'd be interested to hear from any breeders with an opinion.

[Basia]

Well done Holly - your idea has worked!
I am not a hamster breeder but have been thinking about your question - could bar chewing be genetic. It was not genetic in rabbits I do know. I believe some hamsters just enjoy it so it becomes an unbreakable habit. Other animals also get into 'undesirable' habits.
My totally unscientific study of my present hamsters and the hamsters I had years ago, the females definitely bar chew far more than the males.

[lau200]

i'm lucky my hamster cannot reach :D but i have plenty of tubes and roof runs just in case :) great idea though :D