Bad Chewing

[aimsdavies]

Hiya!
I’ve had a problem with Puff’s bar chewing since a few weeks after I got her. At first, it was in one particular corner of her cage. After some cardboard and time, I believe she’s ceased. She then moved onto her big, plastic tunnel that has an option of being a suspension bridge, thus there are little holes that she seems to like biting. I have since removed said tunnel and will be removing some holes / rings to lessen her biting. As of now, she’s biting around her water bottle.
I use a water bottle that’s slipped in between the bars. I had absolutely no problem with this until recently. I’ve now noticed that anything with a small gap, such as the sides of her cage (small gaps in between both sides), the holes in her tunnel and the bar in which her bottle’s through, she loves to get her teeth on. As the bottle is slipped through the bars, they bend upwards, allowing for her to get her teeth around them. I’ve tried using a mix of water-vinegar and dampened the bars, which didn’t fully deter her. I’ve resorted to either placing cardboard through the bars around her bottle, and sticking the part where she drinks through some cardboard so she is still able to drink, but the bars are obstructed. Obviously, I wouldn’t consider this to be a long term solution.
I was considering getting a tank as opposed her cage, but they are quite expensive and I do not have the funds at the moment. I have also considered buying bite-deterrent spray, but upon researching I found that many found it didn’t work for them. I’m now thinking of getting a bottle holder. In anyone’s experience, can hamsters knock these over?
Thank you.
- Aimee

[cypher]

I would just use a small shallow water bowl rather than the bottle if it's such a problem, try to find somewhere in the cage to put it where it won't get knocked over or get a lot of substrate in it.
I don't think putting anything on the bars is going to help & some things aren't safe for them, tanks are expensive I know but if she persists in chewing everything it may be the only answer.
I can't remember if you posted a photo of her cage set up in any of your threads but if not it might help see if there are any suggestions we could make that might help.