Chewing the plastic of the cage

[Pebbles82]

I'm just trying to think what you could put in that corner so she can't get at it. Do you have any toys that screw to the bars you could place low down so it blocked that corner? Or (my Heath Robinson approach) tie a ceramic mug to the bars in that corner with cable ties through the bars and handle So it's totally inaccessible.

[miss_eva]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I'm just trying to think what you could put in that corner so she can't get at it. Do you have any toys that screw to the bars you could place low down so it blocked that corner? Or (my Heath Robinson approach) tie a ceramic mug to the bars in that corner with cable ties through the bars and handle So it's totally inaccessible.

Okay! So I have re-arranged the cage a bit and put more substrate in and added in all the old extra shelves. I have also turned the base around so the holes are at the opposite side, maybe she just likes the one side? The large bed area almost covers the hole so I'm hoping that might be enough to deter her or make sure she doesn't notice its there!

I had put screw in chew things over the gap before, I have attached a photo of what it looked like after having it in one night! (She is really determined to chew that one corner!)

Will add more substrate once her new wheel arrives

[Pebbles82]

That looks good. It is quite a big hole isn't it? Only thing is if she decides to nest in that big house she can chew in private. I'd be tempted to try and stick something over it on the inside. Or wedge a piece of wood in front of it and another piece behind. At least if she is chewing wood it's good for her teeth Good idea turning the base round!

[Pebbles82]

Sorry if I'm being picky lol but think she could fall trying to get in and out of the sputnik where it is - although I can see maybe you've put it there to cover the gap. If it was moved a bit further towards the back shelf she's less likely to fall trying to get into it (although she could still jump out of the far side). As long as there's nothing hard to land on underneath and lots of substrate though it should be ok. Sometimes the rat sized sputniks are good as well. I guess that area might change when the wheel goes in anyway.

[miss_eva]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Sorry if I'm being picky lol but think she could fall trying to get in and out of the sputnik where it is - although I can see maybe you've put it there to cover the gap. If it was moved a bit further towards the back shelf she's less likely to fall trying to get into it (although she could still jump out of the far side). As long as there's nothing hard to land on underneath and lots of substrate though it should be ok. Sometimes the rat sized sputniks are good as well. I guess that area might change when the wheel goes in anyway.

I hope she doesnt start chewing in private! Going to try and invest in some bits of wood to cover it anyway, its annoying that its on a corner, makes it a bit tricky to cover up. I will try my bet anyway!

Thats okay! You can be picky :P Hard to see from the images I have uploaded but the sputnik is almost touching the top of the burrow box and the now doubled up maze. I can move it back a bit anyway. Any other toys you find your hamster(s) particularly like? I feel now like my cage isn't big enough even though its the biggest I could find at the time!

[Pebbles82]

Sorry Sounds fine - yes it's hard to see on the photos. Our hammy did like his rat sputnik with some bedding in it He didn't bother with it at first but when it had bedding in he liked it and used to "bask" in it.

She sounds like a very active hammy if the cage doesn't seem big enough lol. But I know what you mean - they can fill up. I think it's a good size for a Syrian.

Our Syrian also liked his coconut hut (and you have one of those) plus this tunnel which is chewable (if she chews that it might be good!) It's woven hyacinth and quit soft so no sharp bits if they chew it, and it has holes in the side they can weave in and out of. I had two - one for out of cage time. He used to nap in it out of the cage.

The small size is plenty big enough for a Syrian

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Small-Ani...yacinth+tunnel

He liked these chew sticks as well

I liked them because they were healthy and sugar free

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Grocery/R...ndelion+sticks

Most hammies seem to go crazy for Whimzee chews as well. They're vegetable based mini dog chews that are safe for hammies. Not sure why but hammies go crazy for them and drag them into the house usually. Anything that gets her chewing and distracted from the cage base might help

You can stick seeds between the bristles in the toothbrushes They do alligators as well.

Whimzees Toothbrush Small 4 Pack | Petandcountrystore.com

[miss_eva]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Sorry Sounds fine - yes it's hard to see on the photos. Our hammy did like his rat sputnik with some bedding in it He didn't bother with it at first but when it had bedding in he liked it and used to "bask" in it.

She sounds like a very active hammy if the cage doesn't seem big enough lol. But I know what you mean - they can fill up. I think it's a good size for a Syrian.

Our Syrian also liked his coconut hut (and you have one of those) plus this tunnel which is chewable (if she chews that it might be good!) It's woven hyacinth and quit soft so no sharp bits if they chew it, and it has holes in the side they can weave in and out of. I had two - one for out of cage time. He used to nap in it out of the cage.

The small size is plenty big enough for a Syrian

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Small-Ani...yacinth+tunnel

He liked these chew sticks as well

I liked them because they were healthy and sugar free

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Grocery/R...ndelion+sticks

Most hammies seem to go crazy for Whimzee chews as well. They're vegetable based mini dog chews that are safe for hammies. Not sure why but hammies go crazy for them and drag them into the house usually. Anything that gets her chewing and distracted from the cage base might help

You can stick seeds between the bristles in the toothbrushes They do alligators as well.

Whimzees Toothbrush Small 4 Pack | Petandcountrystore.com

Both my hams love whimzees! They get them often. Have you ever tried a stag bar? I hear that they are popular but they seem so tough! I will definitely look into the tunnel and the treat bars, anything to keep her entertained!

[AmityvilleHams]

Not sure about stag bars,but I think I've heard of antlers being used in the US in the past!They don't splinter if they're good quality raw antlers(cooked bones splinter,raw do not,which I only know because of lots of research on raw dog food and such).I wouldn't leave them in constantly though,as they are very hard.They'd last ages,I know my 15 pound dog goes through Whimzees and other chews(and even destroys lots of tough toys)but he's had an antler for at least a year now

Just for anyone wondering,responsibly sourced antlers don't require the killing of animals(buffalo horn however is very different and does not get shed naturally).I wouldn't order antlers online though,as you want to be certain that the size is just right for your specific pet and do make sure they're the naturally shed ones that are not from China and things like that.Hamsters are omnivores and do require animal protein regardless(dogs are primarily carnivorous too,and cats are obligate carnivores)so killing can't be avoided(though there are brands out there which are ethically sourced!)but it does feel good to at least do something responsible in my experience.

[miss_eva]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Not sure about stag bars,but I think I've heard of antlers being used in the US in the past!They don't splinter if they're good quality raw antlers(cooked bones splinter,raw do not,which I only know because of lots of research on raw dog food and such).I wouldn't leave them in constantly though,as they are very hard.They'd last ages,I know my 15 pound dog goes through Whimzees and other chews(and even destroys lots of tough toys)but he's had an antler for at least a year now

Just for anyone wondering,responsibly sourced antlers don't require the killing of animals(buffalo horn however is very different and does not get shed naturally).I wouldn't order antlers online though,as you want to be certain that the size is just right for your specific pet and do make sure they're the naturally shed ones that are not from China and things like that.Hamsters are omnivores and do require animal protein regardless(dogs are primarily carnivorous too,and cats are obligate carnivores)so killing can't be avoided(though there are brands out there which are ethically sourced!)but it does feel good to at least do something responsible in my experience.

Yeah, my dogs always loved stag bars! I know the brand Stag Bar are definitely responsibly sourced and are good quality too. All the sizing is done by weight so sometimes you get a short chunky piece and others are more slender but take up more space. Maybe I'll stick to the whimzees with the hams for a while yet.

[Pebbles82]

I just wanted to say - I really love the cardboard roof maze idea! Thought you might know about whimzees. Anyway hope the chewing stops now. Did she do any more last night do you think? (Although maybe if it's blocked off she can't lol)