New cage, still bar chewing?! - Page 2

Thin Lizzy · 08-24-2016, 02:04 AM

He's absolutely adorable!
Sputniks, Coconut, Rat Tubes and Hammocks are great for keeping them amused.
I've had a few bar chewers and the important thing is to not give him sny attention when he does it, the more attention you give the more he'll do it.
I've always stood my ground with this. I would weave cardboard through the bars and let them tackle that, they do get bored and will stop.
I know the noise is very irritating, but learn to block it out, I would walk out the room ignoring them, or I would put on some music, read a book, do housework etc.
When he stops be sure to praise him but, if he starts it, then walk away.

Minijellybeans · 08-24-2016, 05:43 AM

Some really good ideas, I can't wait until Friday so I can buy his some new toys! So much so I even had a dream about buying his some last night ��. Trust me I do love to spoil him butI only recently got my new job so I haven't been paid in a while. I've been reading the DIY section and found a few people fold toilet roll tubes and hide treats in them m. But what would be a treat good enough to keep him occupied in trying to get it?also what can I reward him with when he stops?i prefer natural foods to pet shop things. His hide out just arrived and he loves it already so hopefully that will keep him occupied

I also scattered his food around the cage, hid it in toys and removed his bowl so hopefully he enjoys that. He loves exploring and it's always desperate to dive off my bed when we let him out. I'd get a pen but our room is tiny.

He is pretty cute isn't he? I fell in love as soon as I saw him! He's such a little poser too

CMB · 08-24-2016, 05:55 AM

Have a look at the Diy playpen thread here. It uses storage cubes that come as flat panels and are joined by cable ties/zip ties. You can the size bigger or smaller by adding more panels or overlapping the panels. You can also go around corners, making an L shape.

Minijellybeans · 08-24-2016, 09:57 AM

I can't make a playpen, when I say my room is small I literally just have a bed and that's all that can fit. We've had to put everything on the walls lol. If there's anything on the amyne >1msq floor space I have the door can't open! We have a double bed so I just let him explore that and watch him like a hawk

Thin Lizzy · 08-25-2016, 04:04 AM

I wrap some fruit, veg or chicken in toilet paper and then place it in the tube. I would also wrap the toilet tube, I would use half a tube.

Minijellybeans · 08-26-2016, 07:49 PM

UPDATE; so pay day has arrived and the very first thing I bought involved a trip to pets at home (I'm not their biggest fan but there's no large local pet stores especially ones with a good range of hamster toys)
So anyway I thought I'd share my updated cage thanks to everyone's recommendations. So far the sand bath has been the greatest hit, he hasn't took much notice of anything else but he seems to love digging in there.

Is this enough for the time being? Omits of spent £80 in a week on him I think I'm going crazy lol.
What upsets me the most is that he is still "chewsing" the bars lol. Something I noticed today is I can leave the huge front door open for a good 10 mins maybe more (watching it obviously) and he will continue to chew the bar knowing the door is wide open so I don't believe he is trying to escape anymore but something else

Such a cute little picture but you can see his nose it still bald

cypher · 08-26-2016, 08:56 PM

He has plenty to do in there now that's for sure!
Bar chewing can just become a habit that's hard to break even when you make changes to the cage so you may still need patience.
If he chews in one or more particular spot then try putting card over the bars, continue to ignore him when he chews too, no reward until he stops!
His nose is rather bald, I have a ham with a bald nose too lol! although thankfully she stopped her nonsense, the bigger worry is that they can damage their teeth so fingers crossed all your efforts will pay off soon.

Thin Lizzy · 08-27-2016, 01:55 AM

WOW! You've done a really great job. As you know I've had a few bar chewers and the chewing may well continue even with the alterations but just ignore it. If you're persistent, your ham will eventually stop.

Minijellybeans · 08-27-2016, 04:59 AM

Thank you that really made me smile! I tried showing my partner but all I got was"hmm yeah it's nice... I am listening" haha

souffle · 08-27-2016, 05:42 AM

There is nothing wrong with the cage size. Thing about bar chewing is that it is a bit like an addiction (smoking etc? ) It is self rewarding as when he chews it releases feel good hormones and he chews more. He doesn't care if he hurts his nose or not as he doesn't relate the bar chewing to a sore nose.
Replacing a barred cage with another barred cage means there are still bars. It is a hard habit to break. Start by trying to block his popular chewing areas with something like a plastic folder cut and cable tied over the area. You can also attach a log bridge or even wire a toy or house over the area. The thing is to block off the chew zone and stop his nose getting through. Provide loads of tubes and boxes to trash. Too many shelves can give access to higher chewing zones so watch that. Use wooden clothes pegs (dolly type) and push them on the bars to see if he will chew that instead of the bars. He isn't trying to get out really - he is just wanting to do the repetitive chew action. Bulldog clips holding wood chews or nibble sticks are good too. Cut holes in boxes so he can get a grip and chew them out. I hope that helps with some suggestions.
At the end of the day some hamsters need a tank type cage or glass tank in they injure themselves on bars.