Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help - Page 2

cypher · 02-05-2019, 10:52 PM

It is difficult finding good cages if you can't order online, I think the only really good sized hamster cage that P@H sell is the savic Plaza but it is an expensive cage, if you can buy online Zooplus is much better than amazon for hamster cages, the Alaska isn't that much larger than the cage you have but it is taller so it has the room for a large enough wheel, the other good option there is the Barney cage which is larger & more suitable for Syrians.

mikatelyn · 02-05-2019, 11:18 PM

VanillaCapricorn, is there an option of buying used where you are? I live in the US, where we can find used goods listed by private parties on certain websites. Two popular ones are Craigslist and OfferUp. I bought a 75gallon aquarium for $30, the downside being that it had a crack and didn't hold water. But seeing how it wasn't for fish, was not a problem for me and I got a killer deal. Is there, say, a Craigslist UK version?

Pazzie · 02-06-2019, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Pazzle that digging box is probably a bit small for a syrian really & having something like that isn't the same as being able to dig & burrow in the cage substrate.

Did I pick the wrong size https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Larg...ds=Digging+box.
Someone on a review said they bought one for their Syrian hamster but didn’t like it so they went for a smaller one and the hamster loves it.
I’ve seen one on YouTube and it does look big.

Not sure after seeing this though https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d_zQLZS0oc0

mangoandmimi · 02-06-2019, 07:35 AM

The problem with a digging box or any kind of small area of deep bedding, is that it doesn't allow them to display natural behaviours properly. They will often make tunnel networks around the cage so it shouldn't really be limited to a vertical box. They also need to burrow down to sleep & will often store their food hoards underground too neither of which is possible with only a couple inches of bedding.

cypher · 02-06-2019, 07:36 AM

I think the digging box is ok for a bit of out of cage fun but that's about all, I had one of those a few years back & it was a good size for my Russian hybrid & he did enjoy it but that isn't the same as being able to dig & burrow in the cage, preferably over the whole floor space.

VanillaCapricorn · 02-06-2019, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikatelyn

VanillaCapricorn, is there an option of buying used where you are? I live in the US, where we can find used goods listed by private parties on certain websites. Two popular ones are Craigslist and OfferUp. I bought a 75gallon aquarium for $30, the downside being that it had a crack and didn't hold water. But seeing how it wasn't for fish, was not a problem for me and I got a killer deal. Is there, say, a Craigslist UK version?

Yeah I will try gumtree and stuff like that, hopefully I’ll be able to get one cheap. Since my cage is alright width wise is there anyway it could still work? A lot of the staff here have said that she should eventually get use to it, but I’m not sure if hamsters adjust like that.

cypher · 02-06-2019, 10:11 PM

No they don't really adjust to it, for now I would try to make what changes you can to make her current cage better for her & hopefully you'll find a way to get something better.
If you just fill the base with as much substrate as you an get in, scatter food over the substrate for her to forage rather than using a bowl, maybe make her a nice house out of a big cardboard box with no base & see if you can get her a better wheel so she doesn't damage her back running that would be a good start, you can make toys & things to keep her busy that are free or cost very little too.
Toilet roll toys are great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPeyD6w-CI
And have a look here for more ideas.
Hamster toys and accessories from recycled household items thread

alpacassei · 02-06-2019, 10:48 PM

Female Syrians do better in 100 x 50cm cages, the Barney on Zooplus is a good cage and pretty cheap (around £55). Some Syrians are okay in 80 x 50 cm cages but its very hard to fit in a lot pf Syrian sized toys/hides. As she grows, the tunnels might get a bit small so they might need removing in case she gets stuck.

The most important thing right now is to get her a decent sized wheel since she cant run properly on a wheel that small, the 28cm wooden trixie wheel on Zooplus will fit as long as the substrate is kept low around it.

I recommend adding a few more toys and hides as well. Cardboard boxes and pringles tubes make great houses and tunnels. I’ll find some links to good Syrian toys and chews on p@h and Zooplus later today (not fully awake now lol) but I recommend getting a few small and medium bendy bridges.

Scatter her food around and bury some of it in the substrate for her to forage for as well! I’m not sure what food she’s on but Harry Hamster is the best commercially available food in the UK abd its pretty cheap, like £2.50 a bag. You can usually find millet sprays in the bird section of pet stores and even Wilko, they’re also great for foraging. I also recommend Whimzees dog chews, they’re 100% safe and very popular with hamsters! Mine like the orange sticks the most

alpacassei · 02-06-2019, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazzie

Did I pick the wrong size https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Larg...ds=Digging+box.
Someone on a review said they bought one for their Syrian hamster but didn’t like it so they went for a smaller one and the hamster loves it.
I’ve seen one on YouTube and it does look big.

Not sure after seeing this though https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d_zQLZS0oc0

Hamsters like to burrow across their whole cage, some of my hamsters have tunnels going from their nest all the way to their water bottle and wheel on the other side of the cage! The dig boxes look like they’d get pretty damp if a hamster tried nesting in one as well.

A lot of Syrians dont burrow though, or only burrow when they have 20+cm of substrate. My Russians are the only pnes that really burrow though.

VanillaCapricorn · 02-11-2019, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Female Syrians do better in 100 x 50cm cages, the Barney on Zooplus is a good cage and pretty cheap (around £55). Some Syrians are okay in 80 x 50 cm cages but its very hard to fit in a lot pf Syrian sized toys/hides. As she grows, the tunnels might get a bit small so they might need removing in case she gets stuck.

The most important thing right now is to get her a decent sized wheel since she cant run properly on a wheel that small, the 28cm wooden trixie wheel on Zooplus will fit as long as the substrate is kept low around it.

I recommend adding a few more toys and hides as well. Cardboard boxes and pringles tubes make great houses and tunnels. I’ll find some links to good Syrian toys and chews on p@h and Zooplus later today (not fully awake now lol) but I recommend getting a few small and medium bendy bridges.

Scatter her food around and bury some of it in the substrate for her to forage for as well! I’m not sure what food she’s on but Harry Hamster is the best commercially available food in the UK abd its pretty cheap, like £2.50 a bag. You can usually find millet sprays in the bird section of pet stores and even Wilko, they’re also great for foraging. I also recommend Whimzees dog chews, they’re 100% safe and very popular with hamsters! Mine like the orange sticks the most

I’ve changed her cage around a bit, I’m working to try and get a shoebox. I also put the tunnel that was at the top into her substrate as she doesn’t seem that interested in burrowing, when it comes to the wheel I’m going to try and find one at a bigger pets at home nearby. I’ve also been letting her forage for her food like someone suggested. Sorry that the cage looks at little messy she’s been making it her own haha.