Hi

HyperHerc · 01-11-2021, 08:45 PM

Hello, love this site. It has helped me a lot. Was just wondering how often do you all change up your hamsters habitats? My girl get bored easily. She has a 40 gallon breeder tank for a home. It is filled with ladders, bendy bridges, a running wheel, sand bath and a bunch of different substrates. I bury peanuts for her and sprinkle feed her. But she seems to get bored easily.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be most helpful.

SyrianNamedHarmony · 01-12-2021, 04:30 AM

Hi, if you could show us a picture of her enclosure that would help us find what you could do to prevent her from getting bored. It does aound like she has lots to do, but maybe you should take her out sometimes. A playpen, bathtub or if you have a full room, you could put some toys there and just let her explore it. That might be the reason she's bored. You could also try alternating her toys, so when you clean her cage take out some stuff and put some new stuff.

Ria P · 01-12-2021, 12:25 PM

Hi and welcome to HC!

Yes, i'd suggest the same. Out of cage time is important. I'm just sitting on the floor in the hall watching one of my hamsters run around and play in the hamster playground which i set up differently every evening.

I adjust their habitats only when something doesn't work for them and i can set it up to suit them better but otherwise i leave their things alone.

HyperHerc · 01-12-2021, 01:26 PM

She does spend time in a hamster ball which she absolutely loves. I guess i will have to invest in a "playpen" for her, so long as I can keep my cats out. She holds her own with them in the hamster ball ( literally chases them around the kitchen!) But I worry about her with them.
She is always trying to get out of her tank. Even after 20 minutes running around the kitchen.

AmityvilleHams · 01-12-2021, 01:48 PM

Hamsters and cats along with other predatory animals should absolutely not come into contact of any form under any circumstances - including in balls. There needs to be a secure door between them at all times.

Balls are their own issue though as they're quite unsuitable for a wide variety of reasons. It is impossible for a hamster to choose to get out on their own, there is extremely low ventilation which is bad for their respiratory health, they cannot willingly get water without human intervention(same with food, using the bathroom without it being inside with them, etc), hamster balls impair their vision(even clear ones), and they basically block all senses in general. Stick with a safe playpen(or similar alternative) for actual enrichment, though I wouldn't get a wire one as they're quite easy to escape from!

SyrianNamedHarmony · 01-12-2021, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Hamsters and cats along with other predatory animals should absolutely not come into contact of any form under any circumstances - including in balls. There needs to be a secure door between them at all times.

Balls are their own issue though as they're quite unsuitable for a wide variety of reasons. It is impossible for a hamster to choose to get out on their own, there is extremely low ventilation which is bad for their respiratory health, they cannot willingly get water without human intervention(same with food, using the bathroom without it being inside with them, etc), hamster balls impair their vision(even clear ones), and they basically block all senses in general. Stick with a safe playpen(or similar alternative) for actual enrichment, though I wouldn't get a wire one as they're quite easy to escape from!

Yes balls do have many issues.