Hamster Showing Signs of Weird Behavior?

rkarcheologist · 09-30-2015, 11:11 PM

So a month ago I got a new hamster. She is a female Syrian. She lives in a 40 gallon tank, and before bringing her home I made sure she had stuff in her tank. A hideaway, a sand box, a 12 inch saucer wheel, things to run through, multiple chews, so on. I know hamsters can get bored very easily so I wanted her to have plenty to do.

The first thing I noticed when I got her home was aggressive chewing, on everything! Wood, chews, rocks, wheel, EVERYTHING. She is my second hamster and my previous one did not do this, but I figured it was a preference thing. He loved running, she liked chewing.

Then she started rearranging the tank, digging tons of holes, moving things around. Like large things like rock, and then today she started checking on the sealant inside the tank. Hanging in the corner. She just seems really frustrated.

I would like to say she never bites. She doesn't like being picked up and held, but if I scoop her up and place her in a play pen, she doesn't mind being pet.

I am looking into more things, creating a second area for her to climb up. giving her more room and more space vertically, as right now a new tank is not in the budget.

Also I usually have male animals. My cat, rats and first hamster were all males. Super lazy males. So I am not sure if she is bored and frustrated or if females are just hyperactive.

rkarcheologist · 10-01-2015, 04:19 AM

Bump Please

Thin Lizzy · 10-01-2015, 05:25 AM

Hi there, what are the dimensions of the tank in centimetres?

rkarcheologist · 10-01-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

Hi there, what are the dimensions of the tank in centimetres?

92 x 45 centimeters
36 X 18 Inches

Thin Lizzy · 10-01-2015, 07:57 PM

That's a great size. Be thankful you didn't put her in a cage as she would be chewing the bars,
Has she got plenty of hidey areas in her tank? How about substrate? It's perfectly normal for hamsters to chew on things and to rearrange their homes. It's her way of marking her scent all over the tank and toys.
A stupid question but is she getting plenty to eat? Maybe start giving her some fresh fruit and veggies.
The size of the tank and the fact that it's glass could also be freaking her out, have you got something you could put on the back of the tank glass and maybe one of the sides? Having that will make the tank less open.

kelza · 10-01-2015, 08:37 PM

Our female Hime also has a 40 gallon tank and acts similarly at times, typical when she is in heat and is trying to escape. A couple things we do when she is acting "like a nut" (as my daughter puts it) is give her extra treats (a whimzee alligator or cheesie chew, and blueberries are a few favs) or have an extra long play session to wear her out. I have also put white vinegar or lemon juice on a finger and rubbed it on the silicone to prevent that chewing.

We also use wrapping paper on the backs of all our hammy tanks, and window or wall decals to decorate the fronts and sides. The decals seem to block a little more light, plus it adds some fun.

rkarcheologist · 10-02-2015, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

That's a great size. Be thankful you didn't put her in a cage as she would be chewing the bars,
Has she got plenty of hidey areas in her tank? How about substrate? It's perfectly normal for hamsters to chew on things and to rearrange their homes. It's her way of marking her scent all over the tank and toys.
A stupid question but is she getting plenty to eat? Maybe start giving her some fresh fruit and veggies.
The size of the tank and the fact that it's glass could also be freaking her out, have you got something you could put on the back of the tank glass and maybe one of the sides? Having that will make the tank less open.

I have wrapping paper on the back of the tank but not the sides! I should also do that, and yes plenty of food. I feed her every day and I just started with fresh foods.

I do have a question about substrate. My first hamster did not care to dig, but she seems to like it more. How much substrate is good for digging? Is there really a limit?

rkarcheologist · 10-02-2015, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelza

Our female Hime also has a 40 gallon tank and acts similarly at times, typical when she is in heat and is trying to escape. A couple things we do when she is acting "like a nut" (as my daughter puts it) is give her extra treats (a whimzee alligator or cheesie chew, and blueberries are a few favs) or have an extra long play session to wear her out. I have also put white vinegar or lemon juice on a finger and rubbed it on the silicone to prevent that chewing.

We also use wrapping paper on the backs of all our hammy tanks, and window or wall decals to decorate the fronts and sides. The decals seem to block a little more light, plus it adds some fun.

HEAT. I had not even though about her going into heat!

And I have not heard of the vinegar or lemon juice! Will it react funny with her substrate or bedding? I use aspen substrate and paper bedding.

As far as decals go, we do have paper on the back, but I will add on the side as you are the second person to suggest that so it much be good. I did have decals on the front for decoration but an cat, who will go unnamed for her misdeeds, decided the decals were better as toys.

Thank you so much for your help.

**DrKMcK** · 10-02-2015, 07:32 PM

Hello rkarcheologist, and welcome to Hamster Central. As for the sealant. She won't eat it and it won't harm the tank. All my hams have chewed it off my tanks and they've been fine. She just happens to be a chewer, so make sure she always has some nice choices for her chewing. Chewing is good for her because it'll keep her teeth trimmed nicely. You can give her greenies for dogs. I have them in the Teeny size and they look like a toothbrush. In the uk they are called whimzees. Milk bone dog biscuits in the mini size are perfect chewing treats for a hammy.
As for heat...LOLOLOL.

Be prepared...hammy ladies smell awful when they go into heat. My Nutmeg is wicked when she's in heat. I wind up going..."Oh, Nutmeggie!!!" and putting her back in her cage and running to wash my hands. But I love her anyway.

I hope to see your little fluff soon and to hear about her adventures.

rkarcheologist · 10-02-2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

Hello rkarcheologist, and welcome to Hamster Central. As for the sealant. She won't eat it and it won't harm the tank. All my hams have chewed it off my tanks and they've been fine. She just happens to be a chewer, so make sure she always has some nice choices for her chewing. Chewing is good for her because it'll keep her teeth trimmed nicely. You can give her greenies for dogs. I have them in the Teeny size and they look like a toothbrush. In the uk they are called whimzees. Milk bone dog biscuits in the mini size are perfect chewing treats for a hammy.
As for heat...LOLOLOL.

Be prepared...hammy ladies smell awful when they go into heat. My Nutmeg is wicked when she's in heat. I wind up going..."Oh, Nutmeggie!!!" and putting her back in her cage and running to wash my hands. But I love her anyway.

I hope to see your little fluff soon and to hear about her adventures.

That is a huge relief. After about five days she has calmed down drastically. I supposed that is how long a hamster heat is. I am so used to males that she just sent me into a loop.

Thank you all for your help. I am fairly new to raising hamsters and this site has been super helpful!