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Old 04-22-2017, 12:26 PM   #1
AprilPearl
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Default Help! What just happened?

Mushu has always had a large mineral stone in his cage just by the door. He has never gnawed it, but often stands on it so that he can look out of the door and receive treats, or even climb out onto my hands.

Today, I read in the forums that mineral stones are bad for hamsters. So, even though Mushu doesn't gnaw his, when he was out in his play pen today, I removed the mineral stone and replaced it with a wooden bendy bridge folded over to make (what I at least thought was) a nifty 'step'.

Anyway, when I put Mushu home, he went to the opposite side of the cage and stared at it. Then he started chattering his teeth. He lay down flat on the floor looking at the bridge. Then, he moved towards it, stopped, and chattered his teeth. And sat staring at it frozen.

I removed the bendy bridge and put back the mineral stone. Immediately, Mushu hopped onto it and begged for a treat. After that, he was back to his usual self.

What happened? Can he really have been that upset by the bendy bridge? I have NEVER heard Mushu chatter his teeth before, although I know it is a sign of aggression. So, I thought hamsters would only chatter at people/other hamsters. Has anyone's hamster ever chattered at an inanimate object before?

If he gets this upset over a tiny change in his cage, it makes me wonder how he will tolerate moving into a new cage. However, he didn't do this when I changed his substrate so I just don't know.
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Old 04-22-2017, 02:59 PM   #2
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Hi April,
I've not heard of that before either, when I changed Pip's cage over to the Alaska home she now has, I had her out in her ball then moved all her things inc the substrate so it smelt of her I added the new things like the new wheel etc. and had it all ready for her let her run around for an hour or so then popped her in her new home she spent a good half hour exploring, then came over to the door area for a treat and then with peanut treat promptly scooted off to her house and that was that.
I wouldn't worry about mushu and the new cage if you go something similar to what I did with Pip and her Alaska then I think he will be fine..
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Old 04-22-2017, 07:30 PM   #3
JLPrairie
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

I wouldn't worry about it. Mineral stones aren't really bad for hamsters, giving that hamsters totally ignore it (it's mostly the salt licks that are dangerous!) so if there's more harm in taking the stone away than leaving it, I would leave it.
Some hamsters get really attached to objects, especially objects they start to associate with good feelings, like getting a treat or playtime. It sounds like that's what happened with Mushu.
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Old 04-22-2017, 08:31 PM   #4
AprilPearl
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Thank you both. I’ve decided to leave the stone as he doesn’t seem to use it. Just hoping that the cage swap doesn’t upset him too much. I think it will definitely be important to put all his old toys into the alaska!
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:42 AM   #5
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

I'm not sure where the idea that mineral stones aren't bad came from but that's definitely not true Excess minerals are just as dangerous as excess salt.Instead of leaving a risky item,I'd experiment and find something that actually appeals to your hamster!You can always use positive reinforcement and get your hamster over this initial fear or dislike,so be persistent.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:43 AM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Mineral stones can be a problem but so can stress so if it stresses him out to not have it & he doesn't really chew on it there really isn't anything to worry about, even the odd nibble isn't going to hurt, it's only really a problem is they really get into chewing them.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:48 AM   #7
AprilPearl
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Thank you Cypher. I honestly didn’t think he would notice the swap but guess I was wrong. He does stand on it quite a lot so maybe he thinks of it as part of his territory.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:50 AM   #8
AprilPearl
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Thanks Amity. I guess I have actuallu been using positive reinforcement unintentionally with the stone because he stands on it to get to the door so he kbows he gets treats by standing on it. He must think of it as some sort of magical beneficent rock!

It was this thread whic made me think mineral stones were a bad idea, but I may have misinterpreted what was said: is this safe?
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Old 04-23-2017, 05:51 AM   #9
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Sometimes I think you just have to let common sense prevail & not get too alarmed by everything you read April!
If a hamster constantly chewed on a mineral stone then yes, it may well be getting too much of certain minerals, tbh very few hams are keen enough to chew them much but if that did happen then it would be best to remove it, a bit of a nibble now & then isn't going to cause any harm so I would just leave things be but keep an eye on it just as you would anything in the cage.
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Old 04-23-2017, 08:38 AM   #10
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Default Re: Help! What just happened?

Hi April,

I have a mineral stone in my hamster's cage. That and a terra cotta disc to help wear down Zoey's nails. Plus, both act as steps in two areas where I was concerned about injury. She shows absolutely no interest in chewing on it so I think there are more benefits to leaving it there than taking it out. I agree with Cypher..."let common sense prevail" and don't "get too alarmed by everything you read".

With pet care in general, I'd say there are some areas where we definitely have to do what's best for the animal whether or not they like it. In other areas, we can be more flexible and, in the case of Mushu, allow his preference to "rule". Just keep a check on the block. If he suddenly shows an interest in chewing on it, then remove it, of course.
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