Hamster not leaving tubes!

pranjyboy · 04-15-2018, 03:05 PM

I've had my Syrian called poko for 2 days now, we've got a three storey cage with a tube connecting the 1st and second storey. There is alternate bridges connecting all storeys. Poko however has chosen to make his bed in the bend of the tube, he never comes out all day and only ventures out at night.

As a begginer, Is this normal? He hasn't drunk any water but however is hoarding food in his tube.im worried for when I have to clean the cage, how am I going to remove him safely. I'm a begginer and open to any advice

cypher · 04-16-2018, 12:35 AM

This is a very common problem, it happens a lot often when people new to hamsters have been given poor advice on suitable cages for hamsters.
Neither tubes or multiple storey cages are suitable.
The problem with the tubes is that hamsters, especially new & nervous ones, will eat, sleep, hoard & pee in them which quickly creates a very unhealthy environment so the tubes need to be removed immediately.
Also if the hamster hides in the tubes it can make it very stressful for both him & you when you need to get him out.
Hamsters need one large floor space, they are ground dwellers, with one large space they can have areas for different uses which doesn't work with multiple levels.
They need a large house with no base on deep substrate which is usually difficult to do with this type of cage too.
The best thing would be to get a new cage & start over, if you can remove the tubes for now& use stoppers on the holes then I would do that.
The best cages if you're in the UK are available online from Zooplus, the most popular cages are the barney & the alaska.
Some people also use the Hamster heaven cage but I think it's more suitable for dwarf hams than syrians & is best used without the penthouse & tubes.

pranjyboy · 04-18-2018, 09:41 AM

thank you, he usually now goes to the tube ant night but by morning hes in a house on the top floor. we've bought the "large hamster home" from pets at home(uk) and wont be able to buy a new one too soon, thank you for the reccomendation though.

you had said they're more comfortable with one large floor space , so i've considered taking out the top floor and leaving just the whole bottom and middle, will this help or just cause unnescesarry stress for him?

cypher · 04-18-2018, 12:56 PM

If he can climb the bars taking out the top floor might just create a fall risk so take care that can't happen.
Removing the that level isn't going to increase floor space or what you can put there so it won't really make a difference.
I totally understand that you've spent money on the cage & getting another may be difficult although some people do return cages if they turn out to be unsuitable & get a refund.
For now at least I would try to provide a decent house on the substrate in the base if he doesn't already have one as that will be much better for him than sleeping in the house on the top floor.

awesomedough · 04-18-2018, 02:51 PM

they often feel really comfortable in tubes when scared or stressed so its quite normal. if he has enough space in his house then when he's comfy he'll stay there. my syrian loves to stay in his bendy tube and used to hide in smaller tubes all the time when he was young.

SimonandSyril · 04-18-2018, 04:23 PM

Unfortunately pranjyboy, the large hamster home simply is not big enough for any species to live happily in as it does not meet minimums set by the RSPCA. Have you ever considered bin cages? they are dirt cheap and can be very spacious. If they aren't the habitats for you I know zooplus (an online small animal shop based in Germany and the UK) sell excellent starter homes for cheaper than the pets at home cages that are too small. I highly recommend the Alexander, Barney or Alaska cages

pranjyboy · 04-20-2018, 12:58 PM

since iv just recently bought the large hamster home, i wont be able to relocate him just yet, but as soon as it becomes a posibility (for me) i will definitely move him. i would prefer the bin cages as i do have enough space. thank you all for the helpful suggestions!

Amethyst_ice · 04-20-2018, 01:50 PM

Is this the cage you got?

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...c-hamster-home

If so I would ask if yuo can return as it is unsuitable and the alaska is cheaper for you to get

Alaska Hamster Cage | Free P&P on orders Â£29+ at zooplus!

x

Penelope1803 · 06-04-2018, 01:23 AM

I bought a cage recently that I honestly thought was great. 40cm-28cm and with levels and tubes. After reading the posts I realised it’s not suitable for my baby Syrian hamster! Just after buying one suggested from Zooplus, hopefully I can clean the cage enough to return it as if it wasn’t used 😂

Could not find one suitable anywhere other than online!! They’re all so small, which is very misleading for those who don’t know. I had hamsters as a child and now know they were in inadequate spaces too...

Thanks for the information, guys!!