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Old 04-06-2017, 07:13 AM   #1
Dave17
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Join Date: Apr 2017
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Default Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

Hi! I picked up my hamster this morning - a little 3 month boy syrian called Dave - and put him into a relatively small cage as I felt that my Alaska cage might be a bit too much for him whilst he's settling in... My plan was to transfer him over in a week once he's settled in and got to know me etc etc, but he spent quite a lot of this morning madly chewing on the bars of the cage... My question is, do you think that this is him just stressed/nervous and settling in, and so it may stop after a while, or do you think I should move him into the Alaska asap...? I haven't held him yet as I was planning to leave him 48 hours to settle in...but he did take a treat off me after a little while..

Thoughts please? He does seem a very determined young chap!!
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Old 04-06-2017, 12:49 PM   #2
Dave17
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

Also, on another note, I've noticed that the hamster wheel isn't going around too freely... should I just leave it alone for tonight or attempt to get in there and fix it..? Not sure how much he'd want my hand in there yet....!!
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Old 04-06-2017, 01:08 PM   #3
CMB
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

He may be better in the Alaska cage. Put in enough hides, toys etc so there is not too much open space.

Cardboard tubes, both short and long cut along one side (to make sure your hamster doesn't get stuck) are easily replaced is chewed etc.

Making sure the wheel is spinning well so your hamster can use it easily. They love to run and if they are not able to they can redirect energy to escape attempts, bar chewing etc.
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Old 04-07-2017, 12:45 AM   #4
Dave17
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

Thank you will do!
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Old 04-07-2017, 12:59 AM   #5
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

Wheels should spin freely so that is quite strange I'd just replace it with a Silent Runner,they're honestly an excellent investment that lasts quite a while!They're also the safest wheel on the market(solid stand,no axle,enclosed front all make for a much safer wheel rather than other wheels that don't even come close),and have the highest quality.Other wheels don't last as long,even those which may cost as much such as the Silent Spinner(known for poor quality now,they don't last if they come in working condition at all)or the Comfort Wheel(really cheap but the noise will drive you insane,plus the open stand and axle and open front are all safety concerns)or even a Wodent Wheel(not as long lasting as the Silent Runner,often noisy unlike a Silent Runner,the only really safe part is the enclosed front which the Silent Runner also has but the Wodent Wheel has an axle and open stand which are both safety concerns).
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Old 04-07-2017, 04:57 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

I'd second moving him straight into the Alaska, but move all his current substrate across with him and sprinkle it on top of the new substrate. Also put masses of substrate in! He'll like that - fill the cage base. There isn't really a house in the Alaska (the white plastic one isn't really suitable) so you'd need a house - a shoebox makes a good house, if you cut the bottom out and cut a hole in for a door and keep the lid as a lift-off roof so you can check inside without his nest falling apart.

Syrians need an 11" wheel really, but an 8" will do to start with. Anything smaller than that and they may bar chew just because the wheel is uncomfortable and too small. They do need their wheels or get hyper and frustrated. If you can make the other one spin/work properly then put that in the Alaska until you can get a new/bigger wheel asap

I would also move his nest over as well and put that inside the house, as you haven't had him long, so as many things smell familiar as possible, and don't clean anything you move over from his old cage.

Then it would be best to leave him alone for a few days to settle in and not clean anything for the first two weeks and not move or remove anything (unless absolutely essential for safety eg), but adding the odd new thing should be ok.

If it gets a bit stinky in the first couple of weeks then maybe just spot clean the wee corner - ie take out a handful of wet substrate, replace it with a handful of new and mix it in a bit. Don't worry about poops - they're not dirty or smelly really.

Do you have a bigger wheel already (as you have an Alaska cage already ). If not, then a popular/cheap option is the 28cm trixie wheel

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Exer...m+trixie+wheel

As Amityville says, the 12" Silent Runner is a brilliant wheel (I've had it) and can be cage mounted to the bars wherever you want it - but it costs a lot more - about £25 plus another £4.50 for the cage mounting plates. However it spins really well and is easy for hams to run in, is silent and also a safe wheel. Trixie wheel is fine though.

Silent Runner 12 Inch
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Old 04-07-2017, 10:19 AM   #7
Dave17
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Default Re: Brand new hamster - bar chewing!

Hi, thanks for this. Yep I have a trixie wheel, my last hamster used it so I need to give it a good clean! I was worried about disturbing him as I only got him yesterday and he's definitely a bit jumpy but I might try switching him over tomorrow! Thanks for your help
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