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Old 09-12-2013, 08:06 AM   #1
ssj312
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Default Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Hello,

I'm a first time hamster owner, Rupert is a russian dwarf that I've owned for one and a half months now.

I'm getting worried because he's stopped scratching things so his claws are getting quite large. He used to scratch away at the inside of his house - something he never does now. I've tried various toys but he doesn't scratch at anything.

He also never chews on anything, this is something he's never done so his teeth are also quite large. I've tried giving him chew toys and other such things but he's not interested.

Finally, he's stopped running on his wheel. He used to run for hours every night but hasn't done so for the last two weeks.

What can I do?
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Old 09-12-2013, 10:43 AM   #2
Winterwhitelilo
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Are you sure he's okay, and hasn't come down with anything? My winter white doesnt usually chew on anything but she LOVES dog biscuits haha How big is the wheel you have?
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Old 09-12-2013, 11:31 AM   #3
DrKMcK
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Try to give him things like the Milk Bone dog biscuits for small dogs, or Greenies (They are dental chews for dogs...you can get them in the "Teenie" size). See if you can get "applewood" chews in the pet store. My hams like them. As for the nails, I usually have my vet do my hams. I am not comfortable cutting their nails myself. Hammie nails grow pretty fast. You can try putting a few pieces of terra cotta pottery in the cage so hammie can walk on them and bring his nails down (You can get this at a nursery or flower shop. See if they have some broken pots. Just make sure to sand down any sharp edges). I don't know what kind of wheel you use...I have the Wodent wheel and the Silent Spinner for my hammies. The Wodent Wheel can be fitted with a different insert; one that is a sandpaper base. It files the hams nails while he runs, and you only use it for one night every other week or so. You might try it. Teeth problems with hams are best handled by a vet. If your hams teeth are growing too long and are misaligned, he'll be in real trouble because he can't eat right. A vet would be absolutely necessary for him. I hope your little one is okay and this info helps.
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Old 09-12-2013, 02:57 PM   #4
caro317
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Yes I'd definitely recommend dentastix dog dental treats but only a small bit of one obviously as they're large! Also what I do for my syrian is rub a soft yoghurt drop into or along something I want him to chew and he'll bite at it for hours so something similar that you can rub onto or inside of a hole in something you want him to chew would probably work
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Old 09-12-2013, 03:28 PM   #5
JinjaMakes
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

I've transferred Harry's wooden chew sticks into a tub with his cheesy bites. After about a week they smelt of the cheesy treat.
Maybe you could try something similar?
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Old 09-14-2013, 07:01 AM   #6
ssj312
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm sure he's OK and hasn't come down with anything, all his other behavior seems fine to me!

His wheel is 14cm in diameter, too small? too big? I put him in his ball once a day for around 20 mins as I was worried he wasn't getting enough exercise. I'll look into other wheels and see what they can do for Rupert's nails

I'll definitely try the dog treats and see how he takes to them. I tried rubbing a yoghurt treat over one of his chew toys and it seemed to have worked! Do you guy recommend I do this daily?

Thanks again everyone!!
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Old 09-15-2013, 01:18 AM   #7
caro317
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Default Re: Hamster doesn't scratch or bite anything

Ah the good old yoghurt rub trick, well done! I don't know about daily, although it depends how much you're using. If it's only like half a drop that would be ok daily but you do want it to remain a treat and not become part of the normal diet really. I reserve the yoghurt drops for the end of our taming session, and for when I really think he needs to chew for his teeth a bit. I don't know though, others may have suggestions on that front?
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