Hamster digging up carpet???

Lilgreyshark · 02-07-2017, 12:43 PM

Hi,

So recently I've taken to letting my Syrian free range in my bedroom. I've removed all hazards and blocked any holes so she can't hurt her self. She loves being able to roam and explore. My only problem is she keeps going into the corners of the room (especially under the wardrobe) and digging. It's rented accommodation so I don't want her to Damge the carpet. Any ideas to help discourage it?

Many thanks lilgreyshark and Venus

Coco61 · 02-07-2017, 01:20 PM

Typical behaviour I believe as others here have had the same problem. I think it was Ruby DG who had this with Spike and she put some old unwanted paperback books in the favourite place so he could dig and rip at those instead.

Pebbles82 · 02-07-2017, 01:25 PM

Yup - hamsters dig up carpets. They want to know what is underneath ha ha. Or maybe they just can't understand why the "soil" is so hard and they can't dig a tunnel in it. It doesn't matter how big the room or the playpen they will chew and dig at the carpet to get out. Coco's suggestion is good. Another thing you could maybe try that will distract your hammy and get them chewing something else is one of these

It's edible so attracts them and it's a hidey place so they like going inside it. Our hamster spent AGES inside one of these in every position imagineable, including upside down, trying to chew the hay off the inside. That was out of the cage. He would ignore the one I put in the cage (other than to use it as a step). But he'd happily spend a long time in his pet carrier with one of these (eg when doing a cage clean) and I used to have him on the sofa with one of these and he'd just stay on the sofa inside it and try and rip it to pieces. I always freeze mine first for a couple of days just to make sure there's nothing living in the hay

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/j32/Rosew...+cottage+small

Drago · 02-07-2017, 04:10 PM

First off, I applaud you for taking the time to ham-proof your room so your little one can have the amazing experience of free-ranging! How old is your hamster? I notice that young hamsters have a tendency to be a bit more mischievous when out of their cages. Like others suggested, block off the corners and add edible toys and other things to keep her busy. Add lots of cardboard boxes and tubes for her to crawl about in and on. A dig box can be fun too, and spreading cheerios about the floor could help keep her busy and simulates natural foraging. Have fun with your ham and have fun designing cool cardboard obstacle courses!

DrropS · 02-07-2017, 05:52 PM

My hamster is doing the same. She is digging the carpet with what I'm blocking her way to get under the door to chew it. I cant do anything, she loves to do everything she should not, no toys are helping it, even she has the entire room for hershelf, she wants to go under the door and my wardrobe.
Few days ago I started to block the wardrobe with my german books, that isn't good for the books, the corners of the books are all chewed.

I'm just running after her now to stop all kind of chewing : D