Cardboard distraction

[AmityvilleHams]

I would be very wary with hammocks and chains in general.Both things are really not appropriate for hamsters,with separate reasons for each.Hammocks are fabric,and hamsters are chewing creatures who will chew pretty much anything including fabric.Even fleece is dangerous for this reason,as no fabric can really be digested and you never want to take any sort of risk with these things as they're extremely serious As for chains,they have caused serious injury in many small pets(not just hamsters)mostly due to toes getting caught or teeth getting caught,either way one of the two would get ripped out and then you end up with a pet who may bleed to death.It definitely isn't something to play around with,so if you absolutely must use hammocks use only digestible materials and hamster safe string to hang them

[Jennie F]

The cage stayed in my flat and the neighbours came up to feed and play with her, so there shouldnt be other smells. I still think the pushed something through there though. I have added a hanging toy in the way so its a bit tight in that corner, but I guess the ultimate test will be mini mouth herself when she wakes up. What type of vinegar did you use? Would pet safe disinfectant do the same job if i cleaned the bars with that? She just needs to make it through to the start of next month when I will get het a new cage

[Jennie F]

Amityville strangely she has never once bothered with the hammock in terms of chewing. Its been there for months and theres not a stitch out of place, I check it regularly. She only uses it to sit in whilst eating a treat or goes up there for a wash after playing outside in her playpen. I will look into changing the chains to string though. What do you suggest?

[Drago]

Originally Posted by Jennie F

Amityville strangely she has never once bothered with the hammock in terms of chewing. Its been there for months and theres not a stitch out of place, I check it regularly. She only uses it to sit in whilst eating a treat or goes up there for a wash after playing outside in her playpen. I will look into changing the chains to string though. What do you suggest?

Sisal and seagrass hammocks are much safer for hamsters as if chewed, they won't cause any harm However, I personally feel that if your ham isn't a chewer at all whatsoever and if they're always monitored, then there's no harm in a fleece hammock. Though you'd obviously need to remove it if Khali decides to start chewing it. I personally would recommend swapping the chains out for sisal string (or seagrass if you can get hold of it) as this is a much safer option!

[Jennie F]

Thanks Drago. I have ordered some sisal string. I always check things for signs of "mouth attacks" haha

[AmityvilleHams]

"Pet safe" disinfectants are rarely if ever truly safe.Just use vinegar,since you want to know exactly what you're using rather than the unspecific and hardly safe ingredients in storebought disinfectants.You just need regular white vinegar and water,it's nothing fancy and probably one of the cheapest cleaning solutions you can make.

[Jennie F]

Thanks Amityville, I'll pick some up. It seems the dig and distract method worked on the jaws of doom. I didnt see her in that corner once. She was more concerned with playing in her wheel and trying to make as much noise as possible (I took it off the stand and connected it to the cage). But if it stops her bar chewing and hurtibf her little nose, I'll take it