Addicted to Bars! Do I HAVE to get a new cage? :(

GoldHusky · 08-11-2010, 02:31 PM

My hamster is addicted to chewing on her bars, and she just won't stop! Not only does it annoy me, but her cheeks are getting red and I'm concerned about her health...

It can't be boredom, her cage is literally filled with toys... so she's probably trying to get out...

And i really don't want to get a new cage, I can afford it, so if it's the last thing I can do... :(
I use a rotashak cage, but i am running low in room, ideas and stuff, i spent years setting up her cage and i don't want to dump it. And i don't want to get another rotashak either.
I was wondering if I could get something like habitral and attach it, but i don't know it it would fit. Any ideas?

Oh, and by the way, i stole an idea and i tried to teach my hamster no by gently blowing her, but now she runs away every time i come near! :(

Thanks in Advance

Fidgetthefirst · 08-11-2010, 03:26 PM

One bit of advice i will tell you is - when she chews dont get her out - she'll soon realise if she chews then she will be allowed to go out when she likes.

And you can get a cheap storage bin and add it on - you can melt holes in the plastic

Amethyst_ice · 08-11-2010, 04:10 PM

not to put a dampener on here but i moved pumpkin to a bin and he chews the only bit with mesh still arghhhh! will the chewing never end! x

Fidgetthefirst · 08-12-2010, 04:29 AM

Ahh :/ im assuming you have the mesh on the front/side, ?

Amethyst_ice · 08-12-2010, 04:57 AM

yup to attach the wheel and water bottle..he only started chewing few days ago and has given up on the wheel grrr

Fidgetthefirst · 08-12-2010, 06:10 AM

Ugh - i know how you feel though - Milo will sit there and chew for ages its so nnoying!

wofunny · 08-12-2010, 09:34 AM

You could use a bin cage and have mesh on the top?

Hope you find a solution soon

x

fluffymunchkins · 08-12-2010, 12:53 PM

i thought i'd never stop Porridge but i did with a little patience!

1. make sure they have a suitable wheel that is 8" for a syrian. As you have rotastak i am assuming an 8" wheel deosn't fit.

2. make sure they have things to chew, a lot of chew toys don't work, but hard dog biscuits and fruit tree branches seem to go down well

3. make sure they get lots of playtime, like FTF said, don't bring them out when they chew the bars but as a reward for not doing it.

4. try weaving cardboard inbetween the bars, if it doesn't stop them in will at least entertain them for a bit

5. you could perspex the bars like Rhi did, but this will dramitically reduce ventelation in rotastak, which is already limited. along with the cge shape making it difficult.

6. as a final resort move the ham into a cage without bars

Bar chewing can damage teeth, rub sores and is sometimes a sign of bordem.
But soem hamsters also do it out of habit or for attention

roboticnat · 08-12-2010, 02:35 PM

lmao
i had same problem moved my hamster to a 4ft long fish tank
and meshed the roof
then added a hanging bridge and trust me as soon as they get near the metal again they chew away you juist got to make it so they can't get to any mesh or metal lol

princess-rhi89 · 08-12-2010, 02:52 PM

Yea after I perspexed maisie's hamster heaven she did the same as soon as I put her metal bowl in she chewed it so no more bowl throwing for her lol.