New hamster determined to chew on bars. Need urgent help.

[nenenuzzle]

I hope someone can help me.

I got my hamster Tofi (10 weeks old), just under two weeks ago. She was all set in her cage, the Savic Plaza with everything she needed. The first week went fine, I left her to it and she loved the wheel and making her nest.

I spoke to her, walked past her and she has gotten used to me already, I can feed her treats and she hops into her carrier/ball easily. Tofi sin't really keen on the bathtub taming or the playpen (plenty of shelter and toys) at the moment and I can't let her free roam.

Last Saturday I woke up to bar chewing and she's been doing it other since. Things I have tried:

1. Covered the part of the cage she likes to chew with a hemp mat. Tofi just pulled it away and it became part of her nest.

2. Using toilet roll cardboard and eventually really hard cardboard from work, Tofi will just chew and chew until she reaches the bars.

I added more things to her, chew toys, scatter feeding, boredom breakers but apart from the hanging treats, she shows no interest.

I have been up with her every night since then from about midnight to 8am to stop her chewing, by either spending a small amount of time in a ball and or in the playpen. So soon as I put her back, she wants to come out again but if I ignore her she will start to chew. Tofi won't stop either and she's finally hurt her nose.

Tofi won't even use her wheel now. I noticed it was sticking a bit and actually warped a little. So I bought her a wooden version (trixie 28 ") which luckily came today. I'm hoping that was the problem

I'm so tired, and I decided to impulse buy a large Living World Eco living cage but I think it's now too big.

I don't know what to do, I can't move her out of my room as I don't want her hurting herself. I have been crying from stress and I can't deal with this another night.

[mangoandmimi]

Yes unfortunately it isn't uncommon for Syrians to act like this even in cages such as the plaza. From what I've seen and experienced it is rare for them to stop going at the bars once it's got that severe even if you try and improve the enclosure. So at that point once it's become a habit and they injure themselves you are stuck really with moving them into a barless cage. You don't need to worry about the eco habitat being too big - it is a good size but really isn't that massive that it'll be too much or too big. It will allow for enough bedding that she can burrow which is something the plaza lacks, and deep bedding can certainly make a difference. One thing I would do with that cage is look at some of the ways people have 'syrian proofed' it as the wood and air vents are likely places for chewing to start. I suppose all you can do in the meantime is do your best to prevent access to the bars. Maybe get some chew sticks (pets at home do grainless ones that are a bit healthier) and things like that to try and divert her attention. It can be a bit upsetting when they get like this I know but I always think that's what makes them so fun to have around - very demanding little things that will certainly let you know if their home isn't to their liking!

[nenenuzzle]

Thank you, it's made me feel a bit better, I felt I was failing her. The area where she chews is directly above her nest, so it's been a bit difficult not disturbing the nest in case I stress Tofi out. I'm trying to think what I've got at home I can block off the area that she just can't chew through it like everything I've tried.

I have been looking at mesh for the lid and I'm concerned about the wood inside the eco, that's where I started having doubts.

[mangoandmimi]

No you're definitely not failing her. It's just how they are sometimes! It is a bit difficult really but if it's just for a few days until the new cage comes then there shouldn't be a big problem just trying to block it off, even if you end up having to replace the cardboard a few times.

For the eco habitat maybe consider something like aluminium L shaped pieces on the wooden corners and I don't think the air vents would be difficult to cover - even a strip of wood would probably be adequate. There are some good examples of syrian proofed eco habitats around that have done similar things. And the lid will definitely need meshing but that's not difficult to do.

[Shannonmcn]

Awk bless you you've acted quickly, you’ve done all the right things and you have no call to feel like you failed her, not a bit. Some hams just have so much energy, particularly the girls and are so hard to keep busy.

If the eco habitat looks big at the start you’ll get used to it, I think it’s much better to have a bit less space in your house and a happier ham than be worrying about her all the time. I’ve just rearranged my whole room and ditched my bedside table to make room for a bigger cage for my mental little lady so I get where you’re coming from and I don’t think you’ll regret it. You’re doing a good job.

[Pebbles82]

It can be very stressful - so sorry - the tiredness won't have helped. Does she stop if you aren't in the room and the lights are out? Although you can hardly move out of your bedroom. Do you mean the Eco Habitat is too big for your room? It won't be too big for her. But understand your concerns about her chewing the wood inside. I would see how she goes - if she does chew them then reinforcing them with metal strips is the way to go. It isn't too difficult - you just need to buy the metal corner pieces from a diy store (if it's one long one they can cutthem theright length for you) and use some aquarium sealant to stick them on.

Hopefully that won't be needed. If it's all getting a bit stressful with the idea of meshing the lid etc, you could maybe just put some metal kitchen grids over the top for now! You may have some in the house. Although doing the mesh shouldn't be difficult.

Again B&Q will just cut you a piece the size you want and normal stapler should do for attaching it. I'd attach it inside the lidthough - if it's onthe outside, they can get through the vents on top and get trapped under the mesh. So the mesh needs to be big enough that the edges aren'tvisible- either that or the edges are folded under.

For now - you could try doing a full cage clean -it may shock her out of it for a while.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dexam-Recta...ateway&sr=8-11

[nenenuzzle]

The eco will go into my bedroom, I think my anxiety just got the better of me (and the price tag) if I was more DIY experienced and had actual power tools I would just build Tofi a cage. I know I adjust the eco, I'm good with basic DIY so that's no problem.

I do think it's a mix of getting my attention and that she is bored/stressed with the bar chewing. I did try with the lights on and off, also ignored her but the only time she really didn't do it is when I sat by the cage and spoke to her then she would scurry up to me or go in the wheel.

Last night, my sister and me set up one of her spare cages (cleaned and disinfected first) the ZOO ZONE LARGE SMALL ANIMAL HABITAT (I think?) into a playpen so that I can leave her a few hours and sleep.

We put in bedding, houses, a wheel, logs, a sand bath, food and water. Tofi was in it from about midnight to 5am exploring and using the wheel. So I basically had the chance to sleep a little. Once she starting to chew the plastic I got her out and put her back in her cage. Tofi just stored up with some food and went to bed.

Tofi just seems to prefer exploring and running around, she's got no interest in boredom breakers or me hiding food for her to find.

[nenenuzzle]

@Serendipity7000

that kitchen tray looks like a good idea, I did find mesh on amazon as well, are these any good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y3Z6D...v_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077KZJP...v_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0743H3L...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[Pebbles82]

Yes mouse mesh is fine but they are quite small pieces and the edges would be sharp - plus it's an expensive way of getting mesh. You'd be better with one big piece so you only have one set of edges to deal with. I think they sell it on a roll at B&Q and you can just ask for it to be cut to size.

I guess you'd need quite a few kitchen baking racks too! They may not be good as a long term solution.Maybe after you've moved her, you could sell the Savic Plaza - and recoup some money - it is stressful when you have to find money for another cage.

[nenenuzzle]

I thought so about the price, the nearest hardware store is about a hour away unless I can get a lift so i might keep those as a back up option.