Toy advice?

Sharkie · 01-14-2017, 12:16 PM

*apologies if this is in the wrong place/already been asked!!*

Hello! I've been trying a few different ways to try to stop Winnie from bar chewing quite so much, and today I got this toy and some Kapok seeds for her to chew on.

I know hamsters can find wooden toys a bit boring, so how can I make her wooden/gnawing toys more interesting? Is it ok to put some banana on to get her to chew them more? I have heard of some people soaking them in fruit juice but would that not be a bit sugary?

Also, can anyone recommend me some hanging toys like hammocks which are ok for Syrians? The ones i found all either had chains on (I was told hammies could get stuck in those) or were not recommended for Syrian hamsters.
I'll have a look at the diy thread for that too.
Thanks!

Drago · 01-14-2017, 12:31 PM

You can add a bit of banana or peanut butter to encourage her to chew on her toys, and you could soak it but I find this to be time consuming and difficult, but if you really want to it should be okay. You can also add what I like to call "brain toys" these are toys that challenge and stimulate your ham. One example is a toilet paper tube stuffed with tissue and has hidden treats inside. Your hamster will need to shred and chew to get the treats out of the toy. Another idea is a walnut, my hamsters love gnawing on the shell and getting a little treat out of it. Simply crack a tiny "starter hole" for your ham to fit her teeth into and let her chew on it. You could also invest in whimzees dog treats, not too much but these can be good tasting and fun for her to chew on. Hammocks should only be used if you're completely sure your hamster will not chew on it, thus sisal and sea grass hammocks are much safer than fabric hammocks so definitely use those as a first choice. If the hammock has chains, try attaching sisal string to tie it up as this is safer than any other materials. Bar chewing can be caused by a many number of things, how large is your cage? Sometimes hamsters bar chew in response to too small of an environment. They can also bar chew if they're bored, thus they gnaw on the cage bars. I've heard that clipping wooden bag clips on the areas where your ham bar chews can prevent this behavior so that can be worth a shot, plus bar chewing is not good for their teeth or gums. Adding large tunnels and other fun climbing and chewing toys will help as well. Lots of brain toys help because they're so stimulating and thus stop boredom. More monitored out of cage time can help too. I hope the problem resolves soon! Best wishes

Sharkie · 01-14-2017, 12:42 PM

Thanks Drago! I'll try adding some banana then

I have given her the toilet roll treat thingy before and she is VERY fast at shredding them! I'll have to make them more difficult to get into and add another roll on top.
I like the walnut idea. That sounds like it would keep her busy!

She has quite a large cage, the Savic hamster heaven. I already asked for some tips on bar chewing on this forum and have gotten lots of helpful replies! She seems to be very enamoured with one particular corner of the cage so I tried adding toys there for distraction, but to no avail... it seems as though Winnie is very crafty and will always find a way to her favourite corner!

I think she might also be only chewing when I am around, for attention, so I try not to reward it by taking her out. I am going to try and have her out for longer to see if that helps.

Drago · 01-14-2017, 12:48 PM

Quite a good sized cage then! Some hams are very determined aren't they now? I hope your little one will enjoy her new toys and chews and hopefully stop gnawing so much!

Pebbles82 · 01-14-2017, 02:10 PM

Sorry to disagree but I don't think peanut butter is suitable for hammies. Banana is fine. I have to say our Syrian was never interested in any toys really! He did love his rat sized sputnik (the Hamster Heaven comes with the smaller sized one). For foodie toys I got this kabob kebab thing. The wood blocks slide up and you can put treats between the blocks

I used to put a small cube of cheese or a pumpkin seed, or half a walnut. Healthy treats are best. He had great fun pulling it out. If you coat something in food it will get stinky and mouldy - which is why I used drier type treats.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Small_N_Fur...nimals/c22053/

The bell rings when they pull the food off

It's ok it it's hung over a shelf (ie the bell only just above the shelf, but if it's hung with any distance under it the ring that holds the bell on is a bit of a risk for getting a foot stuck and hanging by a leg. I had mine hung from the top of the cage originally, so the ring was a bit of a risk, so I took the ring off and swapped it for a larger one (a standard keyring ring). but over a shelf it's fine as it is.

Here's a clip of Charlie in his younger days having a tussle with it

It's part way through a cage tour video - at about 3.16. This was how his cage was set up when he was in the Savic cage the same size as the Hamster heaven. He makes an appearance and demonstrates the kabob thing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4DPynt--Q

Drago · 01-14-2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Sorry to disagree but I don't think peanut butter is suitable for hammies. Banana is fine. I have to say our Syrian was never interested in any toys really! He did love his rat sized sputnik (the Hamster Heaven comes with the smaller sized one). For foodie toys I got this kabob kebab thing. The wood blocks slide up and you can put treats between the blocks

I used to put a small cube of cheese or a pumpkin seed, or half a walnut. Healthy treats are best. He had great fun pulling it out. If you coat something in food it will get stinky and mouldy - which is why I used drier type treats.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Small_N_Fur...nimals/c22053/

The bell rings when they pull the food off

It's ok it it's hung over a shelf (ie the bell only just above the shelf, but if it's hung with any distance under it the ring that holds the bell on is a bit of a risk for getting a foot stuck and hanging by a leg. I had mine hung from the top of the cage originally, so the ring was a bit of a risk, so I took the ring off and swapped it for a larger one (a standard keyring ring). but over a shelf it's fine as it is.

Here's a clip of Charlie in his younger days having a tussle with it

It's part way through a cage tour video - at about 3.16. This was how his cage was set up when he was in the Savic cage the same size as the Hamster heaven. He makes an appearance and demonstrates the kabob thing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY4DPynt--Q

I totally understand on the peanut butter thing! I've never personally tried it, but my fellow hamster owner friends say it works well. Serendipity is definitely more experienced than me so I'd go with their advice. I've heard things about it being rough on the cheek pouches, though I've always believed that in moderation it's okay, but it's good there's lots of alternatives out there

Sharkie · 01-14-2017, 03:23 PM

Thanks for your replies! I really like the look of that kabob thingy, Serendipity! I do use the shelves in the cage so I'd put it there rather than anywhere else. Charlie looks very sweet!

I have heard of people giving peanut butter to their pets but I was wary because of all the additives/salt/sugar that can be in stuff nowadays. I didn't know you could give hamsters pumpkin seeds