Help, I'm worried!!

[nicoleewattx]

Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to hamster central, I use the forums to help when I panic over silly things so I've finally decided to sign up. Now heres my worry! I have an Ikea Detolf and my hamster has recently started chewing the bottom metal bars. Is this safe? Will she be able to chew threw them and escape? I'm seriously panicing, she has so much chew toys and everything in her cage that I don't see her use. Please help me x

[Emma H_amster_]

well i know you just wrote it but have you tried those chews that looks like a toothbrush?
mine dont bite in her tree chew thingy so... havent had it there for long still waiting haha but she is close to have eat everything of the chew that looks like a toothbrush
apparently it taste good :P
WHIMZEES Toothbrush Star Dental Dog Chew Small 24 Pack | Pets At Home
im talking about theese
idk about the cage tho... but hope this helps at something :P

[Piebald]

Hi Nicolee others have had that same problem with a detolf. Was yours a bar chewer previously or is this completely new? What kind of hamster do you have?
Are you aware that hamsters can learn to chew for attention? When does your hamster chew, what do you do when it happens?
There is a way to remove those bars but it involves I believe applying (safe) adhesive to the corners and resealing. It would not be something you could do with hammie in it.
Have a look here LINK and see if it helps. XX

[nicoleewattx]

Originally Posted by Emma H_amster_

well i know you just wrote it but have you tried those chews that looks like a toothbrush?
mine dont bite in her tree chew thingy so... havent had it there for long still waiting haha but she is close to have eat everything of the chew that looks like a toothbrush
apparently it taste good :P
WHIMZEES Toothbrush Star Dental Dog Chew Small 24 Pack | Pets At Home
im talking about theese
idk about the cage tho... but hope this helps at something :P

Okay, I'll definetly try this! Thank you!!

[nicoleewattx]

Originally Posted by Piebald

Hi Nicolee others have had that same problem with a detolf. Was yours a bar chewer previously or is this completely new? What kind of hamster do you have?
Are you aware that hamsters can learn to chew for attention? When does your hamster chew, what do you do when it happens?
There is a way to remove those bars but it involves I believe applying (safe) adhesive to the corners and resealing. It would not be something you could do with hammie in it.
Have a look here LINK and see if it helps. XX

Thank you for taking the time to reply, she was not a bar chewer in her previous cage and today was the very first time at about noon. When she does chew the bar I take her out of the cage and cover the area with substrate again, I then keep her out for about 15 minutes and return her to the cage which does seem to settle her. She is a syrian hamster and removing the bars would cause a lot of inconveinece as they are used to support the home made lid for the cage x

[Shannonmcn]

My syrian chewed on the same bars for a while, I wasn't too concerned since it wasn't all the time and like Piebald mentioned, she was a chewer for attention before she was in the detolf. How often is your little one doing it? She definitely won't be able to chew through them and escape, it's more of a worry in case she chews too hard and damages her teeth and it's not a mentally healthy habit if you know what I mean.

You could try just throwing a ton more substrate in there, I noticed my girl was chewing at the corners particularly so I put a lot more bedding in so the bars were well buried and out of sight. I don't notice her doing it anymore but whether my tactic worked or she just stopped herself I can't say for sure!

[nicoleewattx]

Originally Posted by Shannonmcn

My syrian chewed on the same bars for a while, I wasn't too concerned since it wasn't all the time and like Piebald mentioned, she was a chewer for attention before she was in the detolf. How often is your little one doing it? She definitely won't be able to chew through them and escape, it's more of a worry in case she chews too hard and damages her teeth and it's not a mentally healthy habit if you know what I mean.

You could try just throwing a ton more substrate in there, I noticed my girl was chewing at the corners particularly so I put a lot more bedding in so the bars were well buried and out of sight. I don't notice her doing it anymore but whether my tactic worked or she just stopped herself I can't say for sure!

She hasnt done it since yesterday, ive put more substrate in the detolf, thank you for replying x

[Reduce Reuse Hamcycle]

Originally Posted by Piebald

Hi Nicolee others have had that same problem with a detolf. Was yours a bar chewer previously or is this completely new? What kind of hamster do you have?
Are you aware that hamsters can learn to chew for attention? When does your hamster chew, what do you do when it happens?

Well that's something I didn't know. :[ I wonder if that's why Boscoe was jumping off of his Quinoa box? Because he knew I'd come to the cage?

Will they do anything they see fit for attention or just the chewing of things?

[Piebald]

I think your fella may be a bit new to be engaging in attention behaviour but I could be wrong! Oh they'll do anything. You want to teach them you come with a treat so they come over to you. xx

[Thin Lizzy]

I find the Antos Chews are really great! They come in crocodile, hedgehog, toothbrush and normal sticks.
Pets at Home sell them. Or you could try your local petshop.
Usually they do it for attention or if something is wrong.
You could try weaving cardboard through the bars that he chews on.