Bar chewing habit returns!

[xFluffyHamsterx]

As you guys have probably heard me ramble on about how I got a new hamster and they both obviously smelt eachother and my hamster isn't taking too keen in it. Ever since he smelt my new hamster, Bobbie, he's been trying to escape (big change in behaviour) and the dreaded bar chewing has returned (every day now, he never used to do it!) and Bobbie is doing it too. I understand for Bobbie it's normal as he's new, but I'm concerned my Hammie will get into the habit. I noticed it's always at night, especially if I walk into the room/in the room originally. I tend to ignore them until they stop and greet them. I'm not sure on what to do as they both change the chewing every night, so I don't think the toilet roll trick will work. Why are they still doing it? Will they grow out of it? Any help will be appreciated.

Sorry for the long post & lot's of threads, i'm just concerned

[CMB]

If you are able to have the cages in separate rooms try that.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Hi fluffyhamsters, what cages do you have your hammies in, what wheels do they have? Maybe if Bobbie is affecting your current hamster you might want to think about keeping them in separate rooms for the present time while you try to find out what that the reason is for these behaviors especially if your current hamster is threatened or frightened by your new arrival. Sometimes hamsters can be bar chewers and there is no reason while most times it can be for a variety of reasons: cage size, wheel size, bordem, lack of enrichment and things to chew (sorry for repeating myself if you already know and have considered these things!)

I would suggest putting them in separate rooms, trying to figure out if it has got something to do with cage/cage set up (obviously not for your current hamster maybe? If he was ok before) maybe even thinking about another cage like a tank or bin cage? I would just be concerned for your hamsters teeth and they sound extremely stressed still. How long have you had bobbie for? Also make sure you have plenty of chewing options for them, whimzee dog chews are good also healthy natural chew sticks with no honey or sugar added like these ones:

Woodlands Dandelion and Marigold Wheel | Pets At Home

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...arts?orderBy=1

You could scatter a small handful of this around the cage for them:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...-45g?orderBy=1

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...pell?orderBy=1

Give egg boxes and toilet paper rolls to chew and shred to satisfy their desire for gnawing and will deter them from chewing bars. Scatter their food around their cage so they have to go look for it (encouraging foraging and gives them something to do) and provide lots of hidey holes for them to hide in and it makes them few safe. Also make their diet interesting providing small portions of veg like carrot, cucumber and broccoli.

Lastly do they get much out of cage time and handling? You have mentioned that they do it when you walk into the room and could be an attention thing. Get them out each night and provide a playpen for them to run around in or start by getting into the bath with them to encourage bonding. The new hammy maybe not yet used to you and might be stressed as a result along with the new environment not to mention the injury it sustained. Was it displaying these symptoms before the log incident happened? how is the cut coming on? Did you go to the vet? Sorry for all the questions!!

[Thin Lizzy]

This doesn't go away overnight, you need to be strict and persistent. It seems they're copying each other - when I got Twinkle, Archie would come out if he heard her on the wheel and then start his wheel and go so fast. But, I just made sure that Archie got fed, treats, attention and playtime first. I made sure I reassurred Archie that he was my No1 and talked to him more.
They soon learnt to adjust.
You may need to block the area they chew at with a bendy bridge, the small ones from P@H have hook type things that can be hung up. I've used cable ties to do this which you can get from the pound shops.
As I type this post Harvey was chewing but has stopped.

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Originally Posted by Golden_Syrian_Hammmies

Hi fluffyhamsters, what cages do you have your hammies in, what wheels do they have? Maybe if Bobbie is affecting your current hamster you might want to think about keeping them in separate rooms for the present time while you try to find out what that the reason is for these behaviors especially if your current hamster is threatened or frightened by your new arrival. Sometimes hamsters can be bar chewers and there is no reason while most times it can be for a variety of reasons: cage size, wheel size, bordem, lack of enrichment and things to chew (sorry for repeating myself if you already know and have considered these things!)

I would suggest putting them in separate rooms, trying to figure out if it has got something to do with cage/cage set up (obviously not for your current hamster maybe? If he was ok before) maybe even thinking about another cage like a tank or bin cage? I would just be concerned for your hamsters teeth and they sound extremely stressed still. How long have you had bobbie for? Also make sure you have plenty of chewing options for them, whimzee dog chews are good also healthy natural chew sticks with no honey or sugar added like these ones:

Woodlands Dandelion and Marigold Wheel | Pets At Home

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...arts?orderBy=1

You could scatter a small handful of this around the cage for them:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...-45g?orderBy=1

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...pell?orderBy=1

Give egg boxes and toilet paper rolls to chew and shred to satisfy their desire for gnawing and will deter them from chewing bars. Scatter their food around their cage so they have to go look for it (encouraging foraging and gives them something to do) and provide lots of hidey holes for them to hide in and it makes them few safe. Also make their diet interesting providing small portions of veg like carrot, cucumber and broccoli.

Lastly do they get much out of cage time and handling? You have mentioned that they do it when you walk into the room and could be an attention thing. Get them out each night and provide a playpen for them to run around in or start by getting into the bath with them to encourage bonding. The new hammy maybe not yet used to you and might be stressed as a result along with the new environment not to mention the injury it sustained. Was it displaying these symptoms before the log incident happened? how is the cut coming on? Did you go to the vet? Sorry for all the questions!!

Hehe ok, Hammie has a new, huge cage (cant remember name), has a wherl, a chew stick and toys. Bobbie has my old cage, a savic, but he's quite small.vThey are currently in different rooms which is more concerning. I've had Bobby for a week now, i can stroke him feed him treats and handle him (although hes still a little frightened) i give them daily fruits and scatter food around the cage. I take each hamster our 1 day at a time (Hammie monday, Bobby tuesday, Hammie wednesday etc etc) and to improve handling i grt them out the cage into the playpen by doing it. Bobby was squeelinh before the incident however it seems to have healed now and no i didnt as he didnt display any discomfort (he's very vocal!)

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Originally Posted by xFluffyHamsterx

Hehe ok, Hammie has a new, huge cage (cant remember name), has a wherl, a chew stick and toys. Bobbie has my old cage, a savic, but he's quite small.vThey are currently in different rooms which is more concerning. I've had Bobby for a week now, i can stroke him feed him treats and handle him (although hes still a little frightened) i give them daily fruits and scatter food around the cage. I take each hamster our 1 day at a time (Hammie monday, Bobby tuesday, Hammie wednesday etc etc) and to improve handling i grt them out the cage into the playpen by doing it. Bobby was squeelinh before the incident however it seems to have healed now and no i didnt as he didnt display any discomfort (he's very vocal!)

It seems like you are doing all the right things and as thin lizzy has said it probably will take time and patience! When hamsters get something into their heads it's hard to turn them lol. Fudge has decided he doesn't want to use his sand toilet anymore rather pee someone else that's not really appropriate! Like inside his house or under a wooden shelf and soak the shelf :/ for me I've noticed that change is a big thing that upsets them but just keep on doing what your doing and providing distractions and hopefully it will stop and they will settle. Glad to hear bobbies cut has healed and hopefully he'll settle down after a while you still really haven't had him long at all. With hamsters it takes a lot of patience. I've had fudge a year now and really it's took to now for him to be more relaxed and comfortable. The cat scared him one time and that knocked him right back.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

In saying that we always have to bear in mind that all hamsters are very different some more confident than others etc and all their personalities differ so as owners we just need to get to know our animal and meet their needs accordingly.

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Originally Posted by Golden_Syrian_Hammmies

In saying that we always have to bear in mind that all hamsters are very different some more confident than others etc and all their personalities differ so as owners we just need to get to know our animal and meet their needs accordingly.

Thank you so much for all your help.Yeah it all comes in time, Hammie took 6 months to be handled patience payed off. I've just let Hammie into the play pen and as he walked into my hand he made this static sound? It's weird and quite hard to explain(it started as he smelt Bobbie's scent, every time he sniffs the wheel/bars he makes that noise). I'm not sure what this is I cant even explain it (his teeth chatters already so ik its not that)

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

No problem it sometimes helps even just to have someone to share with! Yeah hammie seems to be aware that Bobbie is around as you say and he's making this noise. I'm not too familiar with it myself as I've only ever had one hamster at any one time. I know the teeth chattering means they are annoyed. Maybe because they are both male they feel territorial. But I know people who keep loads of hams and there doesn't seem to be an issue. I don't know if anyone else on here has had problems with keeping more than one ham and they all being aware of each other

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Originally Posted by Golden_Syrian_Hammmies

No problem it sometimes helps even just to have someone to share with! Yeah hammie seems to be aware that Bobbie is around as you say and he's making this noise. I'm not too familiar with it myself as I've only ever had one hamster at any one time. I know the teeth chattering means they are annoyed. Maybe because they are both male they feel territorial. But I know people who keep loads of hams and there doesn't seem to be an issue. I don't know if anyone else on here has had problems with keeping more than one ham and they all being aware of each other

Thank you for your time! Hammie must be always annoyed as he chatters all the tim, but this noise is new so obviously because of Bobby. So bizarre how they reacted like this!!