chewed through cage base!!

[Ria P]

Yes, i've just returned a 28cm Trixie wheel for the same reason. It's not sitting right on the stand and seems too heavy for my halfpint Syrian.

[rowan22]

It's so annoying since they're the only ones big enough which are cheapish - i suppose it's better to splash out once than to keep replacing them though, so if the one i've just ordered arrives in the same way im probably going to get the silent runner.

[alpacassei]

I have 3 of the wooden trixie wheels (2 21cm and 1 28cm). I’ve had them for around 5 months now (possibly even longer) and theyre all working perfectly still! Much quieter than the plastic trixie wheel as well.

[Pebbles82]

My only real observations are, that the wheel seems a bit high (attached to the bars?) and could be difficult for her to get in and out of. Also more substrate would help. Up to just below the edge of the cage base would be good - then there'd be less gap to climb up to the wheel as well. They often like to burrow a bit in the substrate. It might seem like a lot of substrate,but the more there is in there,the less often you need to change it and can spot clean mostly.

Other things that can stress them is if they have problems using things. The hanging ladders on the right aren't a safe toy unfortunately - gaps between rungs and chains - there have been issues with hammies hanging by broken legs etc. It would be best to take those out. The little swing is probably ok as it's over the shelf so unlikely to hang by it but I'd probably move it actually over the shelf as there's a long drop from it where it is at present and it can unnerve them if things feel insecure or wobble and they fall.

Toys-wise they are often happiest with cardboard tunnels, hidey places and plenty of substrate

[rowan22]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

My only real observations are, that the wheel seems a bit high (attached to the bars?) and could be difficult for her to get in and out of. Also more substrate would help. Up to just below the edge of the cage base would be good - then there'd be less gap to climb up to the wheel as well. They often like to burrow a bit in the substrate. It might seem like a lot of substrate,but the more there is in there,the less often you need to change it and can spot clean mostly.

Other things that can stress them is if they have problems using things. The hanging ladders on the right aren't a safe toy unfortunately - gaps between rungs and chains - there have been issues with hammies hanging by broken legs etc. It would be best to take those out. The little swing is probably ok as it's over the shelf so unlikely to hang by it but I'd probably move it actually over the shelf as there's a long drop from it where it is at present and it can unnerve them if things feel insecure or wobble and they fall.

Toys-wise they are often happiest with cardboard tunnels, hidey places and plenty of substrate

She can get in it and she does use it but the reason I put it relatively high was cos it was banging against the base - when her new one arrives I’ll put it lower down for her. Yeah I’m going to buy some more substrate ASAP, I went to the pet shop yesterday but they didn’t have her usual substrate and I’ve got 3 exams this week as well as work so I’m a bit busy but don’t worry I’m on that ASAP! Currently watching a bag of clean and cozy on eBay as I want to try her on that.

Ah I didn’t know that about the hanging toys will take it out ASAP and move the hanging swing thank you!!

[Pebbles82]

The wheel is fine where it is! Just add more substrate maybe. Meanwhile you could put a little ramp under the wheel - eg a bendy bridge ramp. Even if she can get in and out, she might be happier if it's a bit easier

Yes these hamster toys sold are a total pain - I wasted a lot of money on useless hamster toys! I now just stick to hideouts and tunnels mainly as they enjoy those. Hamsters only really climb to see if they can get out and are more diggers and burrowers than climbers. They do climb but aren't very good at getting down again! So they just drop and can hurt themselves.

[rowan22]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

The wheel is fine where it is! Just add more substrate maybe. Meanwhile you could put a little ramp under the wheel - eg a bendy bridge ramp. Even if she can get in and out, she might be happier if it's a bit easier

Yes these hamster toys sold are a total pain - I wasted a lot of money on useless hamster toys! I now just stick to hideouts and tunnels mainly as they enjoy those. Hamsters only really climb to see if they can get out and are more diggers and burrowers than climbers. They do climb but aren't very good at getting down again! So they just drop and can hurt themselves.

Awesome, I’m hoping to get the clean n cozy so she can burrow some more, atm she’s on aubiose but it doesn’t hold tunnels / holes well! Her new wheel arrived and I’ve figured out it’s just attaching it to the bars that makes it tilt so I’ve kept it on the stand and it’s fine. Noted! Hopefully with these adjustments she won’t chew anymore holes in the cage, it’s seeming to work so far. Again thanks for all the suggestions it’s been really helpful!!

[Lizzilou]

Hiya!

I know this is an old threat but I wanted to know how you got on with the adjustments in the cage?

I have exactly the same problem and she still continues to chew the bars and the base.

I use a water bowl (no issue with water), the wheel I have runs absolutely perfectly and she loves running on it, we do about 2 hours of play time out of the cage every night (play pen, bath tub, hamster proof room- varies every night), as much bedding as the Barney cage allows, chews left right and centre, there are hideaways everywhere and a multi chamber house. I am thinking of getting the Large Eco Habitat from zooplus if it doesn’t get any bette, maybe she does doesn’t like bars?.

I can attach a picture if needed!

Please help!

[rowan22]

Originally Posted by Lizzilou

Hiya!

I know this is an old threat but I wanted to know how you got on with the adjustments in the cage?

I have exactly the same problem and she still continues to chew the bars and the base.

I use a water bowl (no issue with water), the wheel I have runs absolutely perfectly and she loves running on it, we do about 2 hours of play time out of the cage every night (play pen, bath tub, hamster proof room- varies every night), as much bedding as the Barney cage allows, chews left right and centre, there are hideaways everywhere and a multi chamber house. I am thinking of getting the Large Eco Habitat from zooplus if it doesn’t get any bette, maybe she does doesn’t like bars?.

I can attach a picture if needed!

Please help!

Hi there! I actually had a nightmare with it and she managed to chew the hole even bigger in the end and escape so the adjustments I made didn’t work. However, I’ve managed to make some now to repair the hole and prevent her from getting to it which I’ll tell you -
The barney is a great cage so if you can prevent the chewing through the base you should (if you want to save money) but the eco habitat is absolutely fabulous and I can’t see why any hamster wouldn’t be happy in there!
Anyway, once Your ham has started chewing through the base it’s hard to get them to stop. If they can still get to the hole, they will chew their way out. So it’s best to use preventative methods. Once I discovered a huge hole in the base of mine, I decided to move the large house that came with the barney over that hole and I basically used large rocks (smooth ones) on top of the house to weigh it down, as well as a small dumbbell plate so that she can no longer get to the hole.
I also covered every corner of the cage with something - so one corner has her sand bath, one corner has a mug in it, and one corner has a chewy tube. You could use terracotta pots in the corners because they could prevent the hamster from starting any new holes (and it seems they’re always interested in the corners), so if you block the corners it may deter them.
In terms of toys, I found that mine doesn’t like chew toys particularly but stuff like the roll logs which have herbs/carrots in them she seems to like as opposed to wooden ones. Also toilet roll tubes!
Another idea is to switch the toys around every couple of weeks to keep the cage interesting. Bendy bridges are really good for that because they’re cheap, versatile and if you have about 4 of them you can make loads of ladders, ramps etc for them to explore.
But yeah, my hamster managed to escape eventually so I’d say the best thing to do is block off all points where the ham has already started to chew, make sure they absolutely cannot get to them and then try switching in more toys etc. Try some diy stuff maybe so it doesn’t get too expensive!
In the end I had to buy some plexiglass and glue it over the hole so it’s honestly better to try and prevent the hole being made now by blocking them off.
I can’t help with bar chewing as mine doesn’t do that but I’m sure there’s someone who can help you !
Hope that helps (and sorry it’s so long!)

[Lizzilou]

Thank you ever so much! I will do a cage reshuffle this morning and see whether that helps!

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