Hamster wont go to bed :(?!

WoodFamily2012 · 08-30-2015, 02:24 AM

Mr Bojangles recently was given a nice new bed, as you can see in the photo. He also was given a sand bath, both of which went into the cage. Ever since the sand bath went in, he slept behind it, refusing to go to his bed. So i removed the sandbath and now hes taking his bedding and putting it all in that corner. I dont know what to do to make him go to bed.
He has a tendency to do this, when we had a previous cage it had a tube all the way around and we had to remove it because he wouldnt come out of it.
Little menace lol

Pebbles82 · 08-30-2015, 02:36 AM

They are funny little things when it comes to houses (do you mean a house when you say 'bed'?) Sometimes they just decide not to use a house. I recently changed Charlie's big house for a smaller one so I could empty his potty tray easier (his potty tray used to be inside the big house). He went in it the first night, but then abandoned it and built a nest in the corner underground. I think sometimes they decide the house isn't the right place for them to build their nest - either it's not big enough or not dark enough or the door is a bit small or something. They tend to like labyrinth houses though as they are like a tunnel inside with a nesting area.

Looking at your house, the door looks big enough I think (hard to tell from the photo) but it could be because it is on a shelf that he hasn't used it. If the house is open unto substrate underneath they can build a deeper nest and also they like to bury their hoard under their nest. Whereas under the shelf (I can see him!) It is darker and more space and feels secure. They just like dark places really! Could you raise the shelf and put the house underneath it? Or is the house too tall for that?

I made loads of mistakes with hammy toys etc when we first got ours. If I were you I wouldn't buy any more hammy bits and pieces, and put the money to getting a Barney cage! It comes with a great house that is big enough and sits on the floor, has a flat roof for a bowl to go on or for them to climb on, and has a great shelf and ladder as well. I'm sure your hammy would love it and it is also a better size for a Syrian than current cage.

Barney Pet Cage | Great deals at zooplus!

He really doesn't have much room in the current cage and even the 8" wheel takes up a lot of space in it, so it is too small for him - sorry.

WoodFamily2012 · 08-30-2015, 02:39 AM

Thankyou for the advice!
Im going to order that cage for him, the house is a bit tall to go underneath, but he needs a new cage anyways as you can see lol
His bed has always been there, but i was recommended to an open bottom house, which what that is and he slept one night and abandoned ship lol

Pebbles82 · 08-30-2015, 02:45 AM

Oh sorry. Yes it is a nice house and open bottomed! You could still put it in the Barney cage as well as the house it comes with. It's a great cage and perfect for a Syrian hamster - he will really love it! Plus you'll have room for a bigger wheel when he grows a bit.

WoodFamily2012 · 08-30-2015, 02:47 AM

That cage is far too big for my unit i have.
Do you recommend any others that are a bit smaller, but perfect for him?

WoodFamily2012 · 08-30-2015, 02:55 AM

I mentioned in another thread, i have a rabbit type cage. I was told it was okay for sizing and it fits on my unit. But its plastic rather than bars, just my preference. Would i be aswell just putting him in that?

cypher · 08-30-2015, 03:23 AM

Serendipity's right, they do generally to prefer just substrate under the house so maybe you can do that with the new cage, remember though, no matter how good the house you provide you can't make a ham sleep anywhere! Some actually prefer open nests or to sleep in odd corners so I wouldn't worry, so long as he has a nice house if he wants it just let him get on with it!

Do you have the dimensions of the rabbit cage? A plastic one is fine, I think it was mentioned in another thread though that if it has a barred top it will probably need meshing to prevent any escapes.

Jen250 · 08-30-2015, 04:15 AM

The Alaska cage is a bit smaller (84cm x 48.5cm) and a nice price on Zooplus.

racinghamster · 08-30-2015, 06:29 AM

As I usually say to everyone, hamsters like sleeping under a shelf ( it`s darker under there and feels more like a tunnel/underground) and inside a big cardboard box with no floor. I would place a box under the shelf like a shoe box as Syrians like to have room inside their sleeping quarters. You might find this will help. x

WoodFamily2012 · 08-30-2015, 08:50 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the great advice as always!
Ive put him in the new rabbit type cage, ill add some pictures of before and after, the grey cage is the old one and the white one is the new.
Ive put the bed in but hes still sleeping under the level as my dad did some DIY and added the level from the old age, which is his choice, he has the choice of his bed though, i dont mind, im just happy he has the bigger cage now.
In a couple weeks time ill order the bigger wheel too, everythings going good

!