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Old 07-07-2020, 12:52 PM   #1
Snail
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Default Elderly hamster started biting

Snail is around 2 years old now and I’ve never had much of an issue with him biting and he usually enjoys being petted, held etc. But the past few days he’s started biting a lot. Whenever I put my hands in to pet him, feed him or or take him to his playpen hes started violently biting my fingers. He wont just nibble them he latches on to my fingers and doesnt let go. The biting doesnt bother me too much as he doesnt tend to draw blood but its getting excessive and Im wondering if hes stressed or something is wrong.

Ive been feeding him his favourite treat mealworms with my hands so it could be possible he associates my hands with food like my other dwarf does but its so frequent that I dont know.. Anyone have any ideas?
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Old 07-07-2020, 04:53 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

It could be that. But if he still does it when you feed him something else it could be that he is in pain. He is quite elderly and they can bite if they have pain and are suffering and at times like that anything in the cage may stress them. Suggest a general health check when he's out of the cage. Just gently feel him when handling him - see if he has any lumps or anything else that doesn't seem right. Does he seem ok otherwise? If they have pain they can seem more hunched or ears down more.
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Old 07-08-2020, 06:57 AM   #3
Snail
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

I checked him over and he seems to be normal although there is one bump on his back which feels like a bone but it isnt on the other side of him aswell so Im not sure. I may take him in to the vet if he continues on like this the poor thing
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Old 07-09-2020, 12:47 AM   #4
Ithuviel
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

If its a bone maybe he fell somewhere in the cage. Also you might think about making the cage senior proof
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Old 07-09-2020, 07:02 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

I think a vet visit would be a good idea to get a diagnosis for the bump. It does sound like he might be in pain and that can cause them to bite. The vet would be able to at least prescribe metacam for pain if he can't fix whatever it is.

I second making the cage senior proof. That would mean having everything at floor level and no shelves etc. What I did was move the shelves up to the roof - so inaccessible but still give some overhead cover as they feel more secure with that.

And I added a cork log at floor level as a low level climbing toy for interest - easy to climb over and a nice tunnel to run through. Adding more enrichment/toys at floor level makes up for losing the shelves. Also have his food bowl and water bowl at floor level as well/fairly near his house.

What cage is he in? You do need a reasonable amount of floorspace for this to work well.
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Old 07-12-2020, 09:02 AM   #6
Snail
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

I have the skyline kerry terrarium so its not got the largest floorspace but I managed to level out all of his bedding and I am gonna work on senior proofing it as best I can for him incase his lump is caused by falling down somewhere (I dont think it is but its a possibility)
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Old 07-13-2020, 12:11 AM   #7
Ithuviel
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Default Re: Elderly hamster started biting

good luck and keep us updated.
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