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Old 04-06-2021, 09:50 PM   #1
Aliceinwonderland
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 1
Question Help! Need hamster tips, how to get them to chew?

Hello everyone!
I just recently upgraded my Syrian hamster Alice to a 40 gallon ZooMed tank since she seemed to be getting stressed out from her old smaller tank. I noticed today that she’s been chewing the edges of her cage where the glue is but she never chews on any wooden chews! I worry that I am not giving her a good enough life and I just want to make her happy. Does anyone have any advice, tips?
How can I keep her entertained aside from a wheel and food if she doesn’t try chewing?
Any advice on having your hamster happy/entertained?
I have a sand bath for her as well Incase anyone was wondering!
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Old 04-07-2021, 09:36 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Help! Need hamster tips, how to get them to chew?

Hi and welcome to HC!

Whimzee dog chews are usually liked by hamsters and they often take them to their nest. None of ours chew the hamster chews aside from a stick maybe. Cardboard and toys made from cardboard with a treat hidden inside is another popular chew. Some hamsters love ripping up cardboard.

How big is your hamster's wheel? It needs to be 26/28cm for a Syrian hamster.

You could scatter feed your hamster mix because they like to forage for their food which would keep her entertained for a while.

A hamster needs a big house to build a big nest and keep a hoard in.

Enrichment for a Syrian needs to be of the correct size. Rat or guinea pig sized is often more suitable because houses, hodes, toys like tunnels etc sold in hamster size are often too small and aimed at dwarfs.

Out of cage time in a playground is important to most hamsters and she may be asking to come out.
Do not use a hamster ball though as they are dangerous and cause hamsters unnecessary stress.

Deep substrate or a burrowing area is another must to keep them happy.

It always takes me quite a while to find out what a hamster wants, how they want their enclosure set up and what they like to do.
I usually cover the aforementioned basics first and if they're still not happy exchange single pieces of their furniture which something else to see if they prefer that.

I get it all wrong sometimes and the hamster throws a tantrum.

There is a thread called "Let's see your cages" on the Forum under Housing to get ideas about set ups.
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Old 10-07-2021, 04:49 PM   #3
GhostBella
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 44
Default Re: Help! Need hamster tips, how to get them to chew?

Chewing is a geneticly natural behaviour its not a choice, they don't just decided they don't want to chew. She might be wearing her teeth down enough on her food or on things in her cage you just haven't noticed. If shes not chewing aswell as not eating then I'd take her to the vet as she might be in pain in her mouth or teeth!
I never see mine chew yet her teeth are not over grown at all, her yearly vet check 3wks ago confirmed her teeth are perfect!
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Old 10-07-2021, 04:52 PM   #4
GhostBella
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 44
Default Re: Help! Need hamster tips, how to get them to chew?

[QUOTE=GhostBella;955677]Chewing is a geneticly natural behaviour its not a choice, they don't just decided they don't want to chew. She might be wearing her teeth down enough on her food or on things in her cage you just haven't noticed. If shes not chewing aswell as not eating then I'd take her to the vet as she might be in pain in her mouth or teeth!
I never see mine chew yet her teeth are not over grown at all, her yearly vet check 3wks ago confirmed her teeth are perfect!
Make sure you have plenty of thints she can chew on and she will when she needs too.
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