Nesting in Wheel
I am a new hamster owner and have just completed the first cage cleaning for my hamster, Cashew. Immediately after I cleaned his entire crate he abandoned his nest and began storing his food and bedding in his wheel. Upon doing research I know he is doing this because I unintentionally destroyed his nest. It is an issue because he tends to scare himself in the wheel when the food falls as he starts to walk and jumps hugely around. I am concerned he will hurt himself and that he can't get the proper exercise.
How do I curb his behavior to a safer nesting location? I already tried disturbing the wheel nest in the hopes that he would move to a new location, but he has since returned to it. My next thought is to remove the wheel for a portion of the day time, when he normally sleeps and does not use the wheel, effectively "forcing" him to pick a new nest so he can go to sleep for the day, but I am concerned about stressing him.
Please help.
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