Urgent help - stopping chewing wooden cage

[NicxleAnne]

Hi guys!

So I was using a diy bin cage for my hamster Coco, I’ve now got a huge wooden enclosure for her. All was going well and she loves the cage but she’s started chewing the wood at the bottom of the cage! I’m looking for some help with how I can prevent this! I don’t want to go back to the bin cage but I’m scared she will chew through it completely and escape.

I have read about using Plasti-Kote but have also heard conflicting things regarding its safety if she was to chew and ingest some?

I live in the UK btw. I thought of using contact paper but decided that was unsafe as well.

Does anyone know of any varnishes or anything that I could use that would be completely pet safe and prevent her from chewing the cage any more?

Thanks so much for any help, I’m desperate!!

Nicole

[Amethyst_ice]

Hello and welcome

Plastikote won't stop her chewing, it just makes it waterproof. Some hamsters are fine in wooden cages but others do like to chew and can chew out. Is she focusing on one particular area?

[LunaTheHamster1]

As Amethyst says Plastikote won't prevent chewing, it just protects the wood from urine.

If she is just focusing on one specific area then can you place something there that will block it off.

If it carries on though, i hate to say it but you may need to buy a non wooden cage.

[Ria P]

Could you post a photo of your set up?

Maybe there is something about her environment Coco isn't happy about and she's trying to let you know.

I don't know so this is only a thought but may be worthwhile looking into.

[NicxleAnne]

Okay so it won’t let me add a picture for some reason but the cage I have is 115cm long and i don’t know off the top of my head the rest of the measurements but it’s got loads of room, I measured that she had 8inches minimum substrate. She’s got a 12inch wheel and lots of hides and chews and things in there.

She had only started to chew one part of it, I checked all the cage and couldn’t find any other spots. I drilled in some additional wood pieces to block off the area she chewed and also any other corners just in case!

I make sure she’s out the cage everyday to get a run about and to play with her aswell.

Could it maybe just be because it was only her 2nd night in thag new cage? Like she’ll get properly settled in this won’t be a problem? 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Thanks for everyone’s advic 😊

[GhostsInSnow]

Is it the actual floor she's chewing? If so maybe cover the bits she's chewing with something tough like a ceramic tile might work