my syrian is biting her water spout!

[HammieMumma]

She only ever does it when the lights go put in the room and as soon as u turn the light on she'll stop and run to the cage opening. Could it be an attention thing? She has lots to do in her cage and has lots of time with cuddles and in her play pen.

I'm just worried about her little teeth and also she gets soaked when she does it!

Any help and advice would be appreciated x

[CMB]

It sound like attention seeking. Try ignoring it and not putting the light back on. You could also try a treat given before turning the light off so the hamster is busy with the treat.

[HammieMumma]

Thanks for replying and yeah I might try that ☺

[cypher]

It does sound like attention seeking, ignoring it is the best way to deal with it but if she doesn't stop take the bottle out for a while & give her a small bowl if you can find a place to put it where it won't get knocked over or filled with substrate, apart from possibly damaging teeth & getting soaked they can take in too much water if this becomes a habit which can be really bad for them.

[POLAR WHITES]

I find when hamsters do this I take the bottle out as they don't stop and make themselves and their bedding wet. I replace with a dish. In time they normally forget this behaviour and a bottle can be re added.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

If a bowl won't work you can remove the bottle and replace it with a Lix It aquarium chewless bottle which has the tube coming straight down from the cap and is just long enough for the Hamster to locate and lick the sipper for water. Only the craftiest and wise of hamsters can figure out a way to chew the sipper and since it is very difficult they give up and thus quit the bad habit they discovered is to them fun, but to and owner is a night mare.