Bottle Problem!?! Any suggestions... - Page 3

Hannah · 01-08-2011, 04:58 PM

I ended up putting the water bottle back in because she chewed through the card and got to the plastic. But I found when I switched the light out she went to run on her wheel and didn't do it so much. I'm hoping it's just a phase but I might try hanging the bottle if I can find one like hope mentioned. XxX

Hannah · 01-09-2011, 03:58 PM

Ok, so now i've made a holder to hang her water bottle in the cage (made it from an empty drinks bottle - i read it on here somewhere) and I have blocked the hole with some thicker card so hopefully it will take her longer to chew through. Can anyone think of anything I can put in the hole that she wont be able to chew through? Im going to keep it like this until she gets bored or I give up. XxX

StarlightSerenity · 01-09-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah

I have found that her water is going down considerably more now she has started chewing and she is weeing more too. XxX

Just a quick question - have you tested her for diabetes? I know that in humans excessive thirst (and weeing) is a symptom of diabetes, no idea if the same applies to hamsters but it might be worth testing her.

Hannah · 01-09-2011, 05:13 PM

How do you test her? I don't think that it is thrist that is causing it as when i move the bottle elsewhere she doesnt chew it, she only chews at the hole where the bottle should be, i think it is an attempt to break free. But she has calmed down a little so maybe she will get bored of it. XxX

StarlightSerenity · 01-09-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah

How do you test her? I don't think that it is thrist that is causing it as when i move the bottle elsewhere she doesnt chew it, she only chews at the hole where the bottle should be, i think it is an attempt to break free. But she has calmed down a little so maybe she will get bored of it. XxX

You can buy dipsticks like Bayer Keto-Diastix which you dip into (fresh) urine, the stick will turn a certain colour which you then compare on the chart provided with the sticks which will tell you what sort of level her glucose is at.

I think anyway, never tested a hamster for diabetes, I just know its common in some types (dwarves I think).

shazzy · 01-10-2011, 01:49 AM

Naughty ham ham! I suppose if she is that determined then a toilet roll tube will not stop her! Hope it goes well with the thicker card and hanging the bottle.

I doubt it is diabetes, as it is not the thirst thats making them attack the water bottle, but just a habit as they think it is fun, and as a result they take on alot of water (many of us have been there done that!). But if you wanted to be on the safe side then a test would do no harm.

Hannah · 01-11-2011, 09:22 AM

So I woke up this morning to find a nice piece of plastic missing from Pippa's cage (no real damage done just yet), she chewed through the thick card and got down to the cage itself. I've now put the bottle back in but positioned it so its only just poking through and hopefully Pippa wont be able to get hold of the spout to chew. But she has been so persistant that I doubt it will work, anyway, fingers crossed. XxX