Female syrian hamster

[Neginrsh00]

hello
I have a female Syrian hamster she is 12 weeks old and she lives in a IKEAD detolf which is 950 in.² she’s always trying to escape her cage I know that this is their behaviour but she seems like she doesn’t enjoy her enclosure
I have provided her with everything that’s needed a swing, 28 cm wheel and sand bath, chew toys and some boredom breakers and houses or hideouts. She has good amount of bedding. I usually let her out of the cage to roam around in my room but she goes in corners and starts biting off my carpet and under my carpet I got wood flooring so I’m not sure what she’s smelling but it’s really annoying that she bites off my carpet
I will attach a pic of her enclosure
She also doesnt really bite her chew toys
I have tried the technique where you use flour to attach it to the wooden chew toys but she just eats them off doesn’t really bite
Someone help
Thanks

[Ria P]

Hi and welcome to HC!

Your hamster is very lucky to live in a detolf.

I think that she may feel a bit exposed in her set up and i would add more shelter and overhead cover.

Most hamsters love a Whimzee dog chew even the ones who ignore all other chews.

My female Syrian foster hamster chews up carpet in one particular corner so i've blocked that area off. She can get quite fixated on certain areas and when that happens i simply pick her up and put her down somewhere else then block that area off or sit in front of it. She will climb over my legs or up my back trying to get to where she wants to go though.

I also put plenty of toys down where she free roams and a wheel which helps to keep her occupied and away from areas i don't want her to go to chew.

[cypher]

I agree her cage does look very open & quite empty. I would add in more things like cork tunnels or tubes, bendy bridges as something to climb on & hideout under, a sand bath & any other forms of enrichment to keep her busy & make her feel safer.
I would remove the swing, anything with chains can be dangerous for little paws & swings like that don’t really add much in the way of benefit for hams.
Most things sold as chew toys don’t tend to interest them much, whimzees are the best thing to try.
Her behaviour out of the cage is quite normal! Can you set up a play area with lots of toys, tunnels & other things for her to explore & enjoy?

[Ria P]

Another thing i've just noticed is that her enclosure is in front of a radiator. I'd keep an eye on the temperature inside her detolf.

[Shadow Cat]

My syrian girl loves to climb. It's harder with a tank type set up as the shelves I have attach to the bars, but if you can give her some things to climb and hide under that might occupy her and help her feel safe. My ham has 4 hides in her cage but her favourite place to sleep at the moment seems to be in a corner under a shelf I've just put in!

Something like this: "Nature First" Wooden Platform Toy for Small Animal Habitats: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies perhaps with a ladder or bendy bridge next to it.

Or you can even just use an upside down shoebox with a door cut out of if you're on a budget. Something to hide in and climb on. In terms of chewing, I find toilet rolls to be ideal!

[Neginrsh00]

Hi
Thank you guys
She has 2 tunnels and 2 hideouts
I am struggling with finding a way to cover the top of her enclosure
I am not able to make a lid myself now might find something online
I think then i’d be able to fill her cage up with more stuff because she wont be able to get out
I take her out most of the times but yes i will get more stuff so she can play with
Thank youu❤️