Chewing chewing chewing.

[Scrubby]

I've had my new hamster Pumpkin for 10 days now and she is settling in well, i've even started to get her out of her cage now. She loves running round in her ball.
One thing I've noticed is she chews a lot. I assume this is normal as she's a baby and her teeth are growing through and she's interested in everything, she's been chewing on all the toys in her cage but the annoying thing is she's started chewing the water bottle hole in her cage.
I'm not a fan of water bottles as Scrub had a bad experience with them, not being able to get anything out of them so both Scrub and Pumpkin have bowls of water in their cages.
It's a plastic cage with bars on top for anyone wondering and there is a little hole at the side to put the water bottle spout through and she is always chewing around the hole.
Is there any way to stop her doing this?
I've been stuffing things in the hole for her to chew including socks but she just chews threw them and carrys on.
I'm sure it's not boredom as she has plenty of lovely toys in her cage which she uses a lot.
Any advice?
Thanks guys.

[Ilovehamsters]

My hamster chewed on the spout too. It's annoying but maybe you could distract her? Put extra chew toys in.
Treat sticks work well too, they may distract her from the spout.
Also, how big is her cage? She may be craving to get out to play, or to have more space to explore.
How big is your current cage Scrubby?

[racinghamster]

For the hole around the bottle spout, try securing a round metal washer? Make sure the hole in the centre of the washer is big enough for the bottle spout to fit through and then either try securing the washer with apoxy glue, or use a piece of flat plastic from an old Tupperware box (or any plastic storage box) cut a square piece and put a hole in the centre (for the bottle spout to fit through) and glue this over the hole? That way, the bottle spout will go through the hole, but she won`t be able to chew at the gap around the hole due to the glued on plastic part. x

[Scrubby]

No no, I don't actually use the bottle, I said that they have bowls of water rather than the bottle so it's just the hole she chews. I just need a way of covering up the hole.
But thanks for the advicce so far.

[DexterChloe]

Put a bolt through the hole and secure with a nut? Would that work? Providing you can find one the right size....

[racinghamster]

That`s what I would do (and meant!) by using a metal washer. Just find one large enough to cover the hold on the inside, put a screw through the washer and secure it on the outside with a nut? Works a treat.

[Syrian Hammy]

Her cage could be the problem. I'm guessing she's in a mini duna? These are really to small for Syrian hamsters. I would suggest upgrading her cage, see if that makes a difference. In the meantime a washer works well.

[Sanctuary]

Any type of hole that makes them think they can get out will be a problem. I agree with covering it. you can also try just putting the water bottle in it, she will then chew the bottle spout instead
I know you dont use bottles but if you have one just fill it up and put it in anyway

[Scrubby]

Originally Posted by Syrian Hammy

Her cage could be the problem. I'm guessing she's in a mini duna?

No she isn't in a mini duna, she is in a large cage with plenty of space.

I took the water bottle out because her biting the spout was worse than her biting the hole. I can't imagine metal is better for her teeth than plastic.

Anyway I have covered over the hole by taping a train ticket to the outside and she came down and had a look and lost interest.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Char]

Autumn is in zoozone I put one of these Nobbly Gnawer Small Pet Treat by Pets at Home | Pets at Home in the water bottle hole