Cage toys and a chewing problem....

hammiesarelovex3 · 06-24-2007, 11:19 AM

In this picture Carmelo seems to have chewed a hole in his wire top of the tank. So how can I fix it? Any tips?

Also, since this has happened it makes me think that he is bored. I have his hut, food, water and a wheel in there with chew sticks.

He has this:

(Without the fluff and it isn't in the cage, he tends to get bored with that)

(It too it isn't in the cage, he tends to get bored with that also)

(He sleeps in this, he tends to get on top of this too and tries to chew the top)

I was thinking of getting him some play sand at Home Depot, baking it, letting it cool and then put it in a dish for him to play in. He tends to go to the bathroom in it, so how often should I replace the sand? It was be in a tuppleware container safe enough for him to roll around in.

I was also thinking about getting him some more toys. Which one in your opinion is the best choice? Why?

#1 http://www.petdiscounters.com/c7/c5/c14 ... p5602.html

#2 http://www.petdiscounters.com/c7/c5/c14 ... p3626.html

Do you have any suggestions for toys? (provide pics if you can please!) I have tried a cereal box, but he pees in it.

Thank you everyone SO much!

I really appreciate it!

*EDIT* I found out a picture frame fell and caused the damage. Carmelo did not do it. Although he may try to chew on it, he can't just do that much damage in one night. Thanks for everyone's concerns.

I am thinking of putting duck tape there so he cannot chew through that.

I also found another cool toy:

http://www.petdiscounters.com/Puzzle-Pl ... p1444.html

What do you think of it?

Jane · 06-24-2007, 11:50 AM

Maybe to fix that hole you can get some wire and try to weave it back together somehow? Or get another square of mesh (small) to cover the hole and weave it on with wire.

I would get the second toy if it's big enough for him, but it's more like a house..I've heard of people having the first one and them not being used though.

hammiesarelovex3 · 06-24-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane

Maybe to fix that hole you can get some wire and try to weave it back together somehow? Or get another square of mesh (small) to cover the hole and weave it on with wire.

I would get the second toy if it's big enough for him, but it's more like a house..I've heard of people having the first one and them not being used though.

That sounds like a good idea.

Good suggestion.

Peanut · 06-24-2007, 12:30 PM

Hmm. I think Jane's idea, with the wires, is probably the best choice. Hamster Cental has a bar chewing article, so if you haven't already, you might want to check that out.

As for the toys? I think #1 would definatley make sure your hamster never got bored, but #2 is more productive, in a way, because it's both a nest, and a fun house!

Hope I helped!

souffle · 06-24-2007, 12:35 PM

I am slightly concerned that the roof is not safely repairable. The chewed wires look really sharp and could poke him in the eye or pierce a pouch. If I were you I would replace the whole top with a thicker wire mesh with a very fine gauge that he cannot get his nose through which hopefully he will not chew. How did he get up there to chew the wire? If you get any new toys that he is able to stand on to chew he might do it again. Instead of fancy toys pay a visit to the plumbing store where you can pick up bits of pipe with bends and Y junctions that they love to run in and out. Also an upturned rain gutter section makes a great nesting place!. Try and give him extra supervised play time and any high toys should be positioned so he cant reach the roof wires to chew them. If he tried to get through he may hurt himself on the wire points.

hammiesarelovex3 · 06-25-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

Hmm. I think Jane's idea, with the wires, is probably the best choice. Hamster Cental has a bar chewing article, so if you haven't already, you might want to check that out.

As for the toys? I think #1 would definatley make sure your hamster never got bored, but #2 is more productive, in a way, because it's both a nest, and a fun house!

Hope I helped!

I just found out it wasn't him that did it. a picture fell and it hit the cage and caused the damage.

You did help! Thank you!

hammiesarelovex3 · 06-25-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

I am slightly concerned that the roof is not safely repairable. The chewed wires look really sharp and could poke him in the eye or pierce a pouch. If I were you I would replace the whole top with a thicker wire mesh with a very fine gauge that he cannot get his nose through which hopefully he will not chew. How did he get up there to chew the wire? If you get any new toys that he is able to stand on to chew he might do it again. Instead of fancy toys pay a visit to the plumbing store where you can pick up bits of pipe with bends and Y junctions that they love to run in and out. Also an upturned rain gutter section makes a great nesting place!. Try and give him extra supervised play time and any high toys should be positioned so he cant reach the roof wires to chew them. If he tried to get through he may hurt himself on the wire points.

Thank you for your concern.

I just found out it wasn't him that did that. A picture fell and caused the damage.

I like the idea of tunnels like that. I also had another suggestion for a toy.

http://www.petdiscounters.com/Puzzle-Pl ... p1444.html

What do you think of this one?

Peanut · 06-25-2007, 09:06 PM

I think that toy is PERFECT. 5 stars!

souffle · 06-26-2007, 02:00 AM

We have those and the hamsters do like them though they can be quite fiddly to fit together and hard to get them to stay together! They would be too small for a largeish syrian though.

souffle · 06-26-2007, 03:02 AM

Our hams love these. They are big and have a tube. They like to go in and store stuff in them and climb on them.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUPERPET-CYBER-HO ... dZViewItem
Our hams are all large and easily fit through the tube and you can stand them in a Gabber rex so they have a tube and two compartments to play in.