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Old 08-17-2021, 04:05 PM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Pipsqueaks new cage!

If she's quite a large syrian she might find some of the little houses too small. Although they're good as extra hidey places. For a shoebox house you just cut the base out of a shoe box and cut a hole for a door - ideally on one of the long sides near one end. At least 6cm diameter. So it's open underneath and sat on the substrate (they like to burrow down and bury hoards under the nest and it also helps it keep aired). the lid is then a lift off roof so you can check inside without having to take the house out and the nest fall apart. Although I wouldn't take the top off for a while or she may abandon it.

I think she maybe just needs a bit more shelter and overhead cover. As mentioned above too the hanging toy could be slightly risky if it's hung by a chain. Hamsters can get legs caught in chains and end up hanging by a broken leg. Maybe the chain could be replaced with sisal string (which is safe to chew)?

Not meaning to sound critical Just trying to make suggestions so she settles in well. If they nest in the penthouse it can end up stinky and messy and need cleaning out more often, as has a solid floor - and that stresses them too.

If they have a house at substrate level they can have more normal behaviours, bury hoards under their nest (that stay clean and dry) so less cleaning needed, and will use a litter tray if everything at floor level.

Cage moves can really stress them unless you move over the old bedding and cage items in a similar layout and don't clean anything first. So if that wasn't the case, maybe adding some of her old bedding now would help her settle.
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