Hamster chewing on wooden ladder, not chew sticks.

[rocknrage]

Hey, guys! I recently got my hamster and a wooden ladder in order for him to get on his second level. The problem is, he prefers to chew this ladder over his chew sticks that he has laying around. I would MUCH rather have him eat his chew sticks so I don't have to invest in a new ladder. Is there a way to drive his attention away from the ladder and focus on his sticks? They're apparently flavored. Could it be that he doesn't like the taste? It doesn't look like he even touched them.
Thanks!

[cypher]

In a word whimzees! Most hams go mad for them, I've never had one show an interest in wooden chews but they all love these, antos dog chews in the UK but I'm pretty sure Whimzees is right for the US, I'd be very surprised if that wasn't distraction enough.
One of my hams does tend to chew on anything new but only for a short while so maybe yours will give up soon anyway.
Good luck!

[NiceCrocs]

Seconding the Whimzees xD both my hams go mad for them.

[velma]

Yep, whimzees here! For some reason the crocodile is more popular than the toothbrush (a sentence I'm not sure I thought I'd ever say...). And willow balls. While not massively chewed, they do show signs of nibbling & i always find they've been moved.

[Skeever]

My hams took forever to start nibbling on a whimzee. So that's not a guarantee. Try putting a bit of peanut butter or something else they like on the wood chews....positive reinforcement and all that....

Or remove the ladder and see what they turn to for chewing, and change their habits. But my hams keep developing more habits. Suddenly, the potty in Pook's cage has been subject to chewing ?? since when? Why? I have no idea......

[rocknrage]

Thanks for the Whimzees suggestion! My ham loves it! Unfortunately, he still does chew his ladder form time to time, but it's much better now.

[Skeever]

Have you tried pointing to the ladder and saying : Now remember, you MUST chew on the ladder...as much as possible, and at least once everyday. And you MUST CHEW LOUDLY. Got it? Do I have to repeat myself? Good. Remember CHEW the LADDERS!

They are hammies after all, it may work.