I need advice and fast!

[Ruth Edwards]

Seriously , PP, so many people give up pets because they're too much hassle they are left with empty cages and fish tanks when their last pet dies. Loads of people have them in garages and attics especially when their children reach older teenage or go to Uni. You can find them on freecycle and other such sites. Try the local tip. Ask everyone you know if they know someone who had a hamster, or rat or degu or fish. Is it just like this in Hampshire?
I realise you will have to often give these things a thorough clean but they can be in perfect nick . My two certainly were.
My rescue hamster had been trying to get out of her cage and her previous owner fixed it with duct tape, which seems to have worked. Her cage came free with her. I think you should be getting the picture that I'm one of those thrifty people, that are sometimes called tight. Well if the cap fits......

[Princess Pixie]

I've been looking on gumtree but I'm just not able to buy anything ATM.
Cheers though

[Vectis Hamstery]

Which part of the cage is she chewing? I've found hams chew areas where there's air flow from the outside, like little holes the manufacturers put into bases. I've had good results with putting some tape on the outside of the hole to block the airflow - the hamster seems to lose interest. As a permanent fix I melt some plastic over the hole.

If you have a bath it's a good idea to pop the whole cage in the bath between now and when you get your new cage. That way if she does chew out, she's contained and can't run off and come to harm.

[Princess Pixie]

Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery

Which part of the cage is she chewing? I've found hams chew areas where there's air flow from the outside, like little holes the manufacturers put into bases. I've had good results with putting some tape on the outside of the hole to block the airflow - the hamster seems to lose interest. As a permanent fix I melt some plastic over the hole.

If you have a bath it's a good idea to pop the whole cage in the bath between now and when you get your new cage. That way if she does chew out, she's contained and can't run off and come to harm.

On the opposite side of the window but she does bar chew on the side you mentioned.
My partner will not let me put her cage in the bath. but the tape might work if she gets through by the weekend when I'm getting her the glass tank.

[Pebbles82]

Difficult without seeing the cage, but generally I'd suggest:

1) Fill the base with substrate to the top of the base. The cage base isn't actually visible then and it gives her substrate to dig in so is a distraction.

2) They can freak out if there is too much open space above them and they feel exposed. Although there's a good house and shelf in the barney you could add cardboard boxes and tunnels as floor toys - eg a tissue box or shoe box with holes cut in - so she feels more secure moving about the cage - the cardboard is also something to chew on.

3). Hide bits of food in various parts of the cage each day - the odd treat plus some hamster mix - so she is distracted and forages. You could also scatter feed a bit of hamster mix each day as well as putting a bit in her food bowl.

4) Make sure the wheel is working properly and is stable.

5) Make sure she can get access to things - eg can she get onto the shelf ok and reach her water bottle and food bowl?

6) As well as putting substrate in to fill the base, heap it up a bit in the middle. Put lots of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper out in a heap somewhere so she always has plenty of nesting material to forage for.

7) Does she have a chew stick?

Distraction and adding things that let them do normal hamstery behaviour helps.

[Princess Pixie]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Difficult without seeing the cage, but generally I'd suggest:

1) Fill the base with substrate to the top of the base. The cage base isn't actually visible then and it gives her substrate to dig in so is a distraction.

2) They can freak out if there is too much open space above them and they feel exposed. Although there's a good house and shelf in the barney you could add cardboard boxes and tunnels as floor toys - eg a tissue box or shoe box with holes cut in - so she feels more secure moving about the cage - the cardboard is also something to chew on.

3). Hide bits of food in various parts of the cage each day - the odd treat plus some hamster mix - so she is distracted and forages. You could also scatter feed a bit of hamster mix each day as well as putting a bit in her food bowl.

4) Make sure the wheel is working properly and is stable.

5) Make sure she can get access to things - eg can she get onto the shelf ok and reach her water bottle and food bowl?

6) As well as putting substrate in to fill the base, heap it up a bit in the middle. Put lots of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper out in a heap somewhere so she always has plenty of nesting material to forage for.

7) Does she have a chew stick?

Distraction and adding things that let them do normal hamstery behaviour helps.

I've literally done all that. I think she's just a chewer to be honest.

[Pebbles82]

Sounds like it! Crazy female ham!