Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Species > Syrian Hamster

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-08-2016, 12:59 AM   #1
Frobisher
Hamster Pup
 
Frobisher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 57
Default Susan's Nest

I have had my Syrian hamster for about 6 weeks now. She used to sleep in the little house where she seemed comfortable.
In the last couple of days she has moved all of her bedding and made a nest out in the open. Is this a good sign? I'm a bit concerned that she's not happy in some way?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Nest.JPG (43.7 KB, 34 views)
Frobisher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:15 AM   #2
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Hi there. Hate to ask, but is that fluffy bedding in her nest? It is very dangerous stuff - it can wrap around legs leading to amputations and wrap around teeth, impact pouches and cause digestive blockages leading to death.

If it is, then remove it asap! The safest nesting material is plain white toilet paper - tear the individual sheets into strips and put a big pile of it somewhere in her cage. She will pouch some and take it somewhere to build a nest.

As for her moving her nest - this might be if you had just cleaned out the house - they don't like their scent being taken away and get anxious about things like that. Or maybe she just wanted to build a bigger nest than the house would allow for.

It looks like a nice burrow she has dug there in that corner! Which sounds like she no longer likes the house for some reason! What kind of hamster is she? Also just wondering if her cage is big enough. They need a good sized cage for plenty of enrichment Apologies if it is, I can't tell from the photo.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:26 AM   #3
Frobisher
Hamster Pup
 
Frobisher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 57
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Hi thanks for the reply.

I have cleaned her house on a number of occasions, and she hasn't bothered before, it could be that she's getting bigger, and maybe she was cramped in the house. I suppose if she's comfortable out in the open that must be a good sign.

The fluffy bedding I got says on it that it doesn't break in to strands, and is safe to use. I will examine it closer though, as I wouldn't want anything bad to happen! Thanks for the tip.

Sorry I should have made it clearer in the picture, that small cage is on top of a Hamster Heaven, so she has a lot of space.
Frobisher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:28 AM   #4
souffle
Moderator
 
souffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire, UK but my heart lies in Scotland!
Posts: 28,184
Default Re: Susan's Nest

It is likely because the weather is warmer. They adjust the nest depending on the weather to stay at the right temperature. They often more them around and change the size.
And yes you need to get rid of that fluffy bedding as it really is dangerous for hamsters regardless of how safe and natural the pack says it is! It isn't digestable and hamsters are different in that they pouch things unlike rats /mice etc so the stuff can get tangled in the teeth and choke them as well as being swallowed and causing blockages. Remember cotton wool is natural but you couldn't digest that could you? Put some in a cup of water and see if it dissolves. If not it isn't safe.
souffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:30 AM   #5
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Susan's Nest

That is the worst thing about this fluffy bedding - the packs say it is safe - and it isn't! There are a few petitions around to try and get it banned. She will love a big pile of torn up toilet paper Ours actually weaves the strips into a nice kind of ball shape with a hole in the middle he can crawl into! It's cheap and it's nice and soft for them and breaks down if digested.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:35 AM   #6
Frobisher
Hamster Pup
 
Frobisher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 57
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I didn't know that about the fluffy bedding. I will get rid of it straight away! (well when she wakes up).
Frobisher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 02:33 AM   #7
CMB
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hertfordshire - UK
Posts: 3,190
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Plastic houses can get hot and often get condensation problems which make the bedding wet. (Not sure if your house is plastic, just thought I would mention it)

Your hamster may have outgrown her house, especially if it is the one that came with the cage in the photo or her house may have been to warm. My hamsters often slept in the open especially in summer when it is hottest.

With shredded toilet paper you can put it in your sleeve for awhile to get your scent on it. Then put a pile in the cage for your hamster to collect to make their own nest. Enrichment for the hamster and they get used to your scent. It helps with taming.
CMB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 10:46 AM   #8
Frobisher
Hamster Pup
 
Frobisher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 57
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Thanks everyone. I'm always finding out such useful things on here. I've also told a friend of mine about the fluffy bedding as he uses it with his two Robos. I do wish pet shops would be more responsible!
Frobisher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 04:42 AM   #9
Thin Lizzy
Hamster Warrior
 
Thin Lizzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland
Posts: 15,575
Default Re: Susan's Nest

They still insist that fluffy bedding is safe ( the people that sell it).
Toilet paper is perfectly fine.
I've noticed with Twinkle that she doesn't block up the entrance now it's warmer.
__________________
Mom To Gorgeous Noah
Over The Rainbow Bridge - Master Harvey 2 years & 5 months, Twinkle 'The Diva' 1 year & 8 months, Archie 2 years & 3 months & Xena 2 years & 9 months. Forever loved by T-Liz.
Thin Lizzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2016, 04:58 AM   #10
Rsclio197
Senior Hamster
 
Rsclio197's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Uk, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 589
Default Re: Susan's Nest

Lose the fluffy nest ASAP. You'll probably find a hamster prefers toilet roll! My hamster sleeps in the open and not in her house but my last ham always skept in her house so it's just hamster preference. I wouldn't try and force your ham back into her house just let her be
__________________
Rest in peace Suzi & Poppy. Till we meet again my little ladies <3
Rsclio197 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bedding, made, moved, nest, open, susans

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:09 AM.