Overgrooming

Sara H · 12-13-2019, 09:05 AM

Hi everyone

Ronnie is in a Hamster Heaven and i recently removed the plastic corner shelf (one week ago) which he had his nest under and replaced it with a Ferplast wood house. Ronnie is a bit of a nervous little one and he has now moved his nest next to his sand bath. I don't think he liked it being next to the bath so spent over an hour kicking all the sand out and moving it to the other side of the cage (I was very impressed by his effort but a little sad he hated the house).

He does have a habit of over grooming and has over the last 6 months started losing fur on one side of his tummy. He is 14 months old, in a quiet room, in his own cage, I don't over clean the cage and do everything I possibly can to keep him happy.

So, my question is.... keep the house and see if he settles or change it back and hope that makes him happy?

chloeeruth98 · 12-13-2019, 09:18 AM

Awww bless him! Sounds like he really tried to reorganize stuff! To be honest, given his age, I'd suggest it's best to return it to the original setup, especially as changing it's obviously stressed him. You could also try taking out the sandbath and only giving it to him in a playpen? Sandbaths do occasionally cause overly dry skin and balding in a few Syrians, if they're over-groomers.

Ria P · 12-13-2019, 09:29 AM

What kind of hamster is he and what size is the Ferplast house? The hamster size is too small for a big nest. My Syrian has the guinea pig sized one and loves it but my dwarves don't nest in their houses. They use them like porches to get to their underground sleeping places.

Maybe he could have both. The shelf on one side of the cage, where it was before and the house at the opposite side?
They get quite grumpy when their nests get moved. I'd put the shelf back in and put the house somewhere else in the cage. You could put a heap of plain white toilet paper torn into strips next to the house but not inside it. Hamsters like them for nesting material and may encourage him to build a new one.

Sara H · 12-13-2019, 09:47 AM

He is a Russian and the house is the same size as yours the guinea pig one.

There is no where else to put the shelf unfortunately but he is does have lots of Clean & Cozy in the cage.

He has always been quiet a nervous little one, I just hate it when he is upset.

Ria P · 12-13-2019, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara H

He is a Russian and the house is the same size as yours the guinea pig one.

There is no where else to put the shelf unfortunately but he is does have lots of Clean & Cozy in the cage.

He has always been quiet a nervous little one, I just hate it when he is upset.

I took the big plastic shelf out and replaced it with a smaller, wooden Trixie corner shelf to make room for a big wheel and the Ferplast house. which would be a possibility for your hamster.