Bar Chewing is Driving Me Insane!

[Eriklover555]

I have four hammies, and they all have appropriate sized bin cages with plenty of toys and chews and exercise options, but ALL of them recently started to bar chew constantly.

It's really strange, because I've never had that problem before. I took them all to the vet to get checked for any transferable problems - like mites and such - and they couldn't find anything. I even had them check out their bedding, and their analysis found nothing harmful.

Any advice could help me out. It's impossible for me to relax or sleep in my bedroom with the sound of the constant chewing.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Could try placing cardboard weaved in between the bars where they chew most. If your a DIY type you could place Plexiglass on the outside of the bars which would stop them from getting their nose through the bars for a good grip but that is a bit pricey and requires a special drill bit to avoid cracking the Plexiglass while drilling holes to attach the piece to the bars with wire ties.

[Eriklover555]

Unfortunately, the neither of those is an option for me :( The plexiglass is definitely too advanced for me with my small knowledge of tools - I'd probably just crack it.

I realize that "bar chewing" is a little misleading in my case ;p Really, It's a very small-holed type of mesh used in deer-proofing. I couldn't weave cardboard through it no matter how hard I tried.

Thank you for the idea, though! I'm appreciative of all help.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Ahh, how about a wood chew attached by a screw through the chew and the hole of the mesh, and attached with a washer and nut? Of course this would be where they chew most.

[Eriklover555]

Ahh, how about a wood chew attached by a screw through the chew and the hole of the mesh, and attached with a washer and nut? Of course this would be where they chew most.

That sounds workable, I'll have to try and make some up. Thank you :)

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Your welcome and I hope it works for you.

[souffle]

It can become an addictive habit and very hard to stop I'm afraid. If they have a specific corner they chew you can try and block this off using a wooden log bridge or a toy wired in front of it. You could also think of moving them to a tank type cage. Ensure the wheel is big enough as if they are running they are not chewing.
If you have hamsters of both sexes then they will try and get to each other by chewing as the they smell each other.
Pushing a large hard dog biscuit or a wooden clothes peg through the bars can encourage them to chew that.
The plexiglass works for us but you could try with the thinner plastic from a binder or folder and cable ties first to see how it does.
There are some ideas here
Will You Please Stop Chewing Those Bars! - Hamster Central WIKI