Bar chewing (on the doors)

Blaze · 03-22-2020, 07:29 AM

We got our Syrian hamster on the 21st feb, so have had him a month, he was born 4th dec. I did a fair amount of research before we got him and went for the ferplast cage for hamsters karat 80. 78.5 x 45.5 x 52.5cm. At first we had a little bar chewing so I put some wood chew toys there that we added some healthy treats to with the flour and water mix which worked really well and he stopped. He’s just started chewing again, initially only on the door that we use for him to come in and out. Last night I put some cardboard over it to stop him and he moved to the other door, and I’ve just noticed he’s climbed to the top of his cage and chewed there. It is only when we are not with him over night. So I don’t know if it’s attention he wants? I’ve added chew toys, we’ve made a cardboard house which we’ve glued with flour and water the grass type supplement treats (no idea what they’re called). We’ve got the bug space wheel in there too. We try to get him out everyday and have a big box that he can run around in. He’s got a sand bath/toilet, tunnels, chew toys etc. We tend to do about 10 mins at a time because he starts trying to climb out and it seems like he’s getting stressed. There’s loads for him to do in the cage. I’m lost for ideas. We don’t have the money or the space to go bigger. I have no idea how to add images to show you the cage setup? Is there ever a point that you say I’ve tried to stop this but I’ve done all I can? Feeling really deflated with it as I know it’s not good for them.

sushi_78 · 03-23-2020, 04:48 PM

If it's the doors he's chewing, that would suggest that he wants to come out. He knows that he gets taken out via the doors, and wants to get out for a run. Plenty of time outside the cage in a run would probably help, but I would also be careful not to come running every time he chews the door, because that way you are only reinforcing the behaviour. Obviously you still want to meet his need for exercise, so when he is chewing the door try to ignore him, and wait until he stops chewing for a minute or so, then take him out.

Blaze · 03-27-2020, 03:04 PM

That’s great thank you sushi! We’ve made sure to get him out for a good run around every night and he definitely has calmed down. Hoping we’ve caught it early enough to break the habit. I’ve also added a few more distractions in his cage too which will hopefully help. Thanks again!

Ria P · 03-27-2020, 03:55 PM

Scroll down to Manage Attachment - Choose File - Upload File and wait till its uploaded, a blue line will run across - Close Window on top right which takes you back to post reply - Submit Post.

A photo of your set up would be helpful and we always love to see photos of hamsters here.

Blaze · 03-28-2020, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Scroll down to Manage Attachment - Choose File - Upload File and wait till its uploaded, a blue line will run across - Close Window on top right which takes you back to post reply - Submit Post.

A photo of your set up would be helpful and we always love to see photos of hamsters here.

I think I’ve attached some photos...

Blaze · 03-28-2020, 03:29 AM

Oh hang on, I think this has worked now 🙈

Blaze · 03-28-2020, 03:33 AM

And this is Blaze and the playpen we set up for him.

CMB · 03-28-2020, 07:54 AM

A wheel, tube (would need to be large so he doesn’t get stuck) in the playpen could help keep him busy.

If you had an upright wheel in the cage. It would leave more room.the flying saucer could be used in the playpen.

Ria P · 03-28-2020, 08:04 AM

Lovely hamster and the set up looks good and the cage is fine but there are two important points i'd like to mention.

A Syrian needs a big, upright wheel which would be easy to attach to the cage bars. 10in-12in works well for a Syrian to enable them to run with a straight back.
I'd put the flying saucer in the playpen. You can easily extend the playpen with a second cardboard box connected with an empty plastic water bottle.

Is the little grey plastic house the house he sleeps in? These houses are way too small for a Syrian. They need a large bottomless house to sit on top of the substrate so they can make a proper nest with lots of torn into strips plain white toilet paper. A removable roof is very practical. You can make a house from a shoe box, get a Ferplast guinea pig house or go for the more expensive Rodipet or Getzoo houses. You said that you made him a cardboard house but is it big enough for a nest and hoard?

A whimzee dog chew is well liked by hamsters if you haven't got one yet. My hamsters ignore all other chews but love their whimzees.

Don't feel deflated. Sometimes its not easy to suss out what a hamster wants. Took me ages to figure out the right set up for my Syrian. I started off with wheels too small, house too small and toys he didn't like. Once he had the set up he liked which included his big wheel and big house plus his beloved coconut hut and other enrichment he got so settled that now its a job to get him out of his cage!

Maker · 03-28-2020, 08:53 AM

Have you hung an egg box? I love that idea!