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Old 02-02-2019, 03:46 PM   #1
VanillaCapricorn
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Question Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

I got hamster for christmas, this was something i was not prepared for in the slightest but i love her and i want to take care of her properly. I recently got my hamster (Fanta) a new cage mainly because the one my carers got seemed to small for a syrian. She seems to really enjoy biting at one part of the cage. Its recently caused a bald spot on her muzzle so i've been worrying even more. For the record she has other stuff to chew, a wheel, 3 hides, and tubes and toilet rolls.
I've tried to block off the area she chews with her regular stuff to chew in hopes that it will stop her but she has actually managed to tear off the wall mounted stuff just to get to that spot again. She also often chitters when she does this. My friend who owns a roborovski hamster said it sounded similar to how her hamster sounds when hes sleeping or over all being relaxed. But since their different species i wanted to see if anyone had any advice? The cage is definitely large enough.

I'm going to try and get her another chew thing to hang from the ceiling of her cage.
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Old 02-03-2019, 02:26 AM   #2
Pazzie
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

The others will probably want a photo of your cage and set up so they will know more to why your hamster is bar chewing a lot.
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Old 02-03-2019, 02:51 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

I had one ham who would occasionally chew the bars in just one spot for no apparent reason although she was perfectly happy with her cage etc so sometimes it can be hard to tell why but if she's doing it enough to possibly damage her nose then it's best to try to prevent it if you can.
Have you tried weaving cardboard through the bars or just covering the bars with cardboard in that area where she chews? That sometimes works as they chew the cardboard instead but you do need to keep replacing it unless it breaks the habit.
What chews does she have? If you haven't already try a whimzee dog chew as most hams love those even if they aren\t interested in other chews.
Scatter feeding or hiding food for them to forage for is a good distraction.

More suggestions that might help here.
Managing Bar Chewers

A photo of your set up if you have one might help with making suggestions.
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Old 02-03-2019, 04:53 AM   #4
VanillaCapricorn
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pazzie View Post
The others will probably want a photo of your cage and set up so they will know more to why your hamster is bar chewing a lot.
Welcome to the forum!
Here’s a picture of the cage, I’m beginning to think it’s boredom or wanting attention, I’m going to try weaving some cardboard through the bars to make it more difficult, and if that fails I’m going to try lemon instead
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Old 02-04-2019, 08:00 AM   #5
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

That cage is still on the small side for Syrians unfortunately which makes it very difficult to set it up with enough enrichment, the vast majority of them want more room. The main issue is that there is no upright wheel, the saucer is far too small for a Syrian. An 11” wheel will probably just about squeeze in, the wodent wheel and potentially the wooden trixie wheel. Running on the saucer will be uncomfortable if not painful so getting a large upright wheel is a priority right now. A proper wheel should probably decrease the amount of chewing as they do spend a fair amount of time on there usually.

Hamsters also need bedding to burrow in, to be honest the base depth of that cage isn’t near deep enough for what a Syrian needs (8-10” as a minimum) but if you fill it to the top of the base it’ll be an improvement and at least enable him to dig down into the bedding a bit.

Aside from that there isn’t actually an awful lot to do in the cage, have a look at the lets see your cages thread you might be able to get some ideas off there. More Syrian sized tunnels & bridges to help fill the empty space would be good, the plastic shelf to the left isn’t doing an awful lot so when you add more bedding you can move it up if you want to keep it in. When you buy toys try and stick to wooden items or chewable ones (not plastic) as it’s much more natural and is safe to chew.

I wouldn’t try lemon on bars either it’s not good for them and does little to prevent chewing.
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Old 02-04-2019, 09:20 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

I agree with what mangoandmimi says, the cage is small for a Syrian & the height is a problem for a large wheel, I have that cage for my dwarf hams & it's hard to get a 9" wheel in & still keep the substrate deep enough in the rest of the cage. You would have to section off a part of the cage with bendy bridges or something to keep the substrate lower where the wheel goes, flying saucers aren't good as a main wheel & that one is very small so a good sized wheel alone should make a difference to behaviour.
For now I would fill the base with substrate, you don't really need the green shelf thingy & it does take up quite a lot of room, the house looks on the small side as well, you could add in a nice big (shoe box size) cardboard box with no base for a house, add some syrian size cardboard tubes or some little wooden boxes for hideouts. You could add in a sand bath too.
If you try scatter feeding rather than using the bowl that will give him more to do.
I would think about getting him a larger cage, the barney & alexander cages from Zooplus are suitable for syrians, the alaska is ok although still maybe on the small side, the Savic Plazw is another really good cage, more expensive but worth considering.

Definitely don't use lemon or anything else on the bars.
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Old 02-04-2019, 02:16 PM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

Instead of adding more substrate, couldn’t you add a dig tower in the cage. I’ve seen one on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Larg...amster+dig+box
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Old 02-04-2019, 10:16 PM   #8
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

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.
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Old 02-05-2019, 02:18 PM   #9
VanillaCapricorn
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

Thank you all so much for the advice, when it comes to cages there isnt a lot to choose from for me as that one is actually brand new, originally when my carers got the hammy they bought a dwarf hamster cage and honestly it was way to small. That one cost me £65 and with the damage shes done to it im not sure if i can return it. When it comes to ordering stuff as well there isnt much i can do with that as where i live carers arent allowed to by stuff for young people (i live in a council home) so ordering stuff from amazon isnt an option unfortunately. Ive been having to rely on Pets at home for everything ive gotten her. I will try and see if ordering off of amazon could be do-able through my social worker, but if not i might have to try and get the £100 rat cage at pets at home and try and repurpose it.
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Old 02-05-2019, 02:24 PM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster keeps biting cage? pls help

If anyone has any cage brand recommendations let me know, hopefully ill be able to order one online
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