Any danger in tubes?

herbi7 · 02-24-2019, 04:13 PM

Hi everyone, my Syrian hamster Billy who is just over 2 now has taken to sleeping in his tube (hes in a hamstee heaven) after he's been on his wheel in an evening. He's almost comatose in there and he's hard to wake up for his out of cage time. I kind of worry he will suffocate himself in there as it's weird for him to be so sleepy and inactive. I guess it may be because he just feels safe so he's more relaxed but it's unlike him really to stay in there so long and not want to come out. Has anyone has any trouble with tubes? The tube stays clean, he doesn't wee in it or hoard food in there it's just a hideaway for him!

alpacassei · 02-24-2019, 05:20 PM

Unfortunately the HH tubes are really not suitable for a Syrian. There’s many cases of hamsters getting stuck or even suffocating in the tubes. Its best to remove them and offer him a new hide at floor level.

Coco61 · 02-25-2019, 01:05 PM

Hi there herbi! Can't believe Billy is over 2 now. When I have my HH in use, I don't use the penthouse and tubes at all. Now that Billy is getting older, I would recommend some amendments as you move towards a retirement bungalow for him. Not all at once but gradually. That will become necessary anyway as he becomes less able to climb about.

herbi7 · 02-25-2019, 03:58 PM

Thank you alpacassei. That confirms my suspicions. It was the way he turned from happy and outgoing to abnormally sleepy in 5 mins that made me think perhaps it was air supply. He loves it in his tube as I think he feels surrounded and enclosed, but it didn't look quite right to me! Why on earth don't they make these cages suitable for hamsters! Thanks coco, yes I began to foster him juet over a year ago and thought after I had sorted him out he would go to another home but he stuck here ��. He's a sweet and sensitive little chap. Took a good 6 months before he stopped instinctively biting me! I will make his cage more accessible for him as we go along as you suggest.

What do I cover the holes with where the tubes go? X

alpacassei · 02-25-2019, 06:31 PM

You’ll need to buy some end caps to block the tube holes with.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metro-Acces...dp/B0030UB8WQ/

herbi7 · 02-26-2019, 08:58 AM

Thank You! I did a diy job last night with bottoms of plastic cartons and thread so I could get him out of them straight away but will sort it out properly soon! Thanks for the help!