Options???

katiekay · 11-10-2017, 12:03 AM

So I've had my Pickles for almost 11 months now, and I have tried almost everything but she always seems bored no matter what.

She is in a cage thats 4ft x 2.5 ft and its somewhere that is between 1,200-1,500 sq ft but I can't remember exactly off the top of my head. I DIY'ed the cage and had to sell my dresser just to make room for it. She was previously in a 40g breeder, but has been in this new cage since April.

I put her in a ball to roam around the upstairs portion of my house, and I used to let her free roam in my room almost every day or every other day until the last couple months because she has taken to chewing the carpet in a couple corners and in one corner specifically, has chewed through the carpet/subfloor/baseboard and created a sort of hole and has started doing this in other corners of the room as well, since I blocked the first hole. I always place a wheel and some toys, tunnels and such on the floor with her so it acts as a playpen for her, but she hardly seems interested when she's exploring around the room. I also can't let her free roam anywhere else in the house.

In her cage are plenty of chew toys, foods, two wheels, houses, and deep substrate (Kaytee, because she can't stand Carefresh or Aspen bedding and the poor thing sneezes/itches like crazy in those) but she doesn't seem interested much in her toys or chews or even burrowing.

I'm not sure what else to do, and I am certainly frustrated. I'm not sure how to make her happy because I've tried almost everything.

SimonandSyril · 11-10-2017, 09:25 AM

Is pickles tame?
If so when your in the room and she is roaming around try picking her up and letting her climb on you. Another option is to use some safe carpeted stairs. In my experience, hamsters have adored climbing up and down stairs. If you do want to try this make sure the stairs are safe and there is no holes. Also make sure you vacuum the area of the stairs you use.
If your hamster doesn't seem too bored inside her cage there's nothing to worry about. it is a good option for hamsters to be entertained outside the cage but some just don't enjoy it.

alpacassei · 11-10-2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonandSyril

Is pickles tame?
Another option is to use some safe carpeted stairs. In my experience, hamsters have adored climbing up and down stairs

Please don't let your hamster climb on stairs! It's really dangerous if they fall and roll down the stairs.

Have you tried hiding food and treats in the substrate? My hammies love digging around to find treats

velma · 11-10-2017, 11:07 AM

When you say she seems bored, do you have any examples? Is it something she's doing in her cage that makes you think that? Chewing the carpet is certainly bad for her if she swallows it but I think lots of hamsters would given the chance as it's a bit like trying to burrow for them, which they'd so anyway.

katiekay · 11-10-2017, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Please don't let your hamster climb on stairs! It's really dangerous if they fall and roll down the stairs.

Have you tried hiding food and treats in the substrate? My hammies love digging around to find treats

No I wouldn't let her climb on the stairs! I have 2 dogs and the stairs are also not closed off so she could fall to the first floor. I've tried scatter feeding her, but didn't notice much of a reaction from her. So I'll definitely try burrowing food and treats for her!

Quote:

Originally Posted by velma

When you say she seems bored, do you have any examples? Is it something she's doing in her cage that makes you think that? Chewing the carpet is certainly bad for her if she swallows it but I think lots of hamsters would given the chance as it's a bit like trying to burrow for them, which they'd so anyway.

She's pawing/biting at the acrylic and just last week found the smartest way to escape her cage! Shimmied up a smooth surface and one of her wheels ): lol. They're smart little things! Other times if she's not running in her wheels, she naps a bit but that may be from older age.

velma · 11-11-2017, 07:21 AM

A lot of hams will do that and I'm not always sure it's because they're bored. They're naturally curious so it doesn't sound like you're not providing her with something. But it's good to give them plenty of stimulation to try & prevent behaviour that may harm them. Chewing plastic is obviously not going to be good for them so is there a way you could prop bendy bridges or something like that against the offending areas to distract her into chewing that instead. Or maybe have a look at the DIY thread boards and have a look at some of the treat toys made from loo roll tubes and that sort of thing. It might help to make her have to work for things a bit more so that and maybe start carter feeding half her food? Little changes might help make a difference.