Hammy won't leave the tubes - Page 2

Pebbles82 · 03-28-2018, 03:56 AM

Do you have a photo of it? It's hard to imagine. 45cm isn't too bad for a Syrian, although they can "bounce" off shelf edges on the way down. Can suggest what you might be able to add to get round it if you can stick a photo on

IamKat · 03-28-2018, 06:15 AM

I've had hams like this before - including my current. I used to have tubes connecting to a second cage, but I think because she was initially so nervy her desperation to find somewhere enclosed and safe made her very territorial of the tubes, and actually this increased her anxiety. I put her in a larger cage (100x50) where she had the space but without the tubes. This instantly made her more comfortable, she nested immediately in a house (which she buries) and enjoys her living space much more, as well as becoming a generally more settled ham. I would recommend removing the tubes and replacing her cage with a larger one - not all hamsters get on with tubes and it will be much easier to tame him without them! Some larger cages are pretty affordable if you order them online, or you could make a bin cage.
Good luck!

SweetPurple · 04-01-2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Do you have a photo of it? It's hard to imagine. 45cm isn't too bad for a Syrian, although they can "bounce" off shelf edges on the way down. Can suggest what you might be able to add to get round it if you can stick a photo on

Thank you so much for your help. But I don't think this cage is going to work for much longer anyways. He is bar chewing and it's clear the cage is way too small. I'll be going out tomorrow to look for aquarium tanks or wooden ones. I'm just afraid he's going to chew through the wood, if I decide for that ...

SweetPurple · 04-01-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamKat

I've had hams like this before - including my current. I used to have tubes connecting to a second cage, but I think because she was initially so nervy her desperation to find somewhere enclosed and safe made her very territorial of the tubes, and actually this increased her anxiety. I put her in a larger cage (100x50) where she had the space but without the tubes. This instantly made her more comfortable, she nested immediately in a house (which she buries) and enjoys her living space much more, as well as becoming a generally more settled ham. I would recommend removing the tubes and replacing her cage with a larger one - not all hamsters get on with tubes and it will be much easier to tame him without them! Some larger cages are pretty affordable if you order them online, or you could make a bin cage.
Good luck!

The only options where I live are pet store cages, aquariums, or if I decide to diy a wooden/glass one. This week I'll be searching for the aquariums or wood .. not sure yet which one I'm going to get. And the bins here are pretty small still, 50x40 cm was the largest one I could find.

Pebbles82 · 04-01-2018, 03:35 PM

Do you an Ikea? The largest Samla bin would be ok - it's 78cm. It does slope in a bit at the base, but if you have plenty of substrate in then the higher up floor area would be bigger

Pebbles82 · 04-01-2018, 03:36 PM

Not sure what it's like where you are but glass aquariums can be expensive. A diy cage is probably a good option but that can take time. If you can get a Samla bin it may be the option for now.

SweetPurple · 04-01-2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Not sure what it's like where you are but glass aquariums can be expensive. A diy cage is probably a good option but that can take time. If you can get a Samla bin it may be the option for now.

I don't have Ikea stores in my country and here I couldn't find a bin cage that's 78 cm long, not even online. Aquariums will certainly be more expensive, that's why I'm also thinking on the diy option. Besides, from what I searched online, the aquariums tend to be quite high instead of big (not as much floor space as I wanted) ... So idk.. if I could be sure he will not eat his way out through a diy wood cage I would go for that ... it could be because his cage is small but he seems to be a big chewer ..

Thin Lizzy · 04-01-2018, 09:44 PM

I love your eagerness to do everything right for your ham. You'll always get great advice here.