Sleeping in tubes

CornishPixie · 02-10-2010, 04:25 AM

Jovi has taken to sleeping in his tubes even though he has a little house to sleep in. He also pulls his nesting tissue in there. I'm worried he might end up getting stuck in there. Is there anything I can do to encourage him to sleep somewhere a bit more practical?

souffle · 02-10-2010, 04:36 AM

It is not good for them to sleep in tubes as they get all hot and condensed and can cause chest infections.
We take the tubes out or block them off until the hamster is really settled in a nest house or corner then we allow access again and they seldom go back to sleeping in there. I'd keep pulling the bedding out and putting it in the nest.

HayleyBrooks · 02-10-2010, 04:43 AM

Hmm I agree it isnt good for them to sleep in the tubes because not much air can get in there. How long have you had him? Is he new and only just settling in?
Sometimes hamsters do choose other places to sleep. All of mine have houses but depending what cage they are in is whether they choose to sleep somewhere else. Luckily none of mine have ever slept in the tubes, maybe thats just where he is comfortable. Try blocking off the holes like Souffle said just keep an eye on him and see whether he gets stressed because he can't go in there.
Hmm I just had a thought. If that is the case and he really does like sleeping in the tubes, maybe go to your pet store, and buy some bigger tubing and just place it in his cage? Maybe he might sleep in there? Even toilet roll tubes might work.

Hope you get it sorted : )

Hayley xx

CornishPixie · 02-10-2010, 05:59 AM

Thanks both for your advice. I didn't realise that it can be dangerous for him. I've had him for almost 2 weeks, so he really is only just settling in. He is on his second cage though as I felt his first one was a bit on the small side. The house that came with the cage is a bit small and I'm hoping to get a bigger one today in the hope that it may encourage him to sleep there. Can anyone suggest a good house/nest? I think I'll take your advice and remove the tubes because I'd hate to think of him being ill because of it.

HayleyBrooks · 02-10-2010, 06:04 AM

Good idea, maybe put them back in in a couple of weeks. My hamsters really love running through their tubes. Sakura has a little plastic house, and Hammie has one that links on to the side of his cage. But I brought Renesmee a coconut type house from Pets At Home. It was only like £3.00 but its quite spacious and also provides something else for her to chew on. See if he goes back to his house or makes a bed in the wood shavings. If he makes one in the shavings, you may not need to get him a new house.

Hayley xx

souffle · 02-10-2010, 07:14 AM

We like the igloo type of house that is open at the bottom. There are easy to get hams out of because you just lift it up tather than struggling and stressing to get a roof off or get them out an enclosed area.
This is the style I mean but this one is a dwarf size. There is a bigger one available for syrians.
Petsr4u - Super Pet Mini igloo, Hamster Hideouts