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07-31-2017, 01:38 PM
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#1
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 36
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Biting the bottle
I don't know why but my hamster has stopped the biting the bars (hopefully for good) and has now started to bite the silver bit of her bottle.
Does this mean something or is my hamster just being a numpty?
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07-31-2017, 01:55 PM
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#2
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The Hamtologist
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
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Re: Biting the bottle
Have you checked to see if water is still coming out? My hamsters have chewed the bottle spout when there's been no water left or when it isn't quite coming out. If the water is full and flowing fine, it's probably just an obsessive behavior. Try distracting them with food chews like whimzees
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07-31-2017, 02:06 PM
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#3
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 152
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Re: Biting the bottle
What are whimzees?
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07-31-2017, 02:14 PM
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#4
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Hamster Hugger
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
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Re: Biting the bottle
Sometimes mine have chewed the spout of the bottle for a few seconds, moving from the end nearest the plastic bottle downwards, seemingly while trying to locate the end (numpties, as you say!) but then stop once they find it and start to drink. If your hams is doing this, I’d say it is normal.
But, if they are chewing continuously on the spout for long periods of time it could be an obsessive behaviour or the bottle may be blocked in some way.
Providing other things to chew, such as whimzees (dog chews which are hamster safe) is a good idea. If the bottle chewing does not stop and you are really concerned, you could try replacing the bottle with a water bowl.
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Over the Rainbow:
Alfie, Kevin, Pip, Jordy, Scamp, Sooty, Mushu, Quigley
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07-31-2017, 10:33 PM
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#5
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Dwarf whisperer
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
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Re: Biting the bottle
First make sure the bottle is working & if it is & she still chews it take it out & give her a bowl for a while, chewing the bottle can quickly become a habit & they can take in too much water so best to put a stop to it as soon as you can.
ChocoMintAnswersSincere whimzees are dog chews much loved by hamsters!
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Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri ❤️
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08-01-2017, 12:05 AM
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#6
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 36
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Re: Biting the bottle
The water bottle is working fine, I should have said that. I moved the bottle to the other end of the cage which has stopped her from biting it. I've tried a bowl with her before and don't think she was very keen on it.
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08-01-2017, 01:56 AM
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#7
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Senior Hamster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Petersfield Hampshire England
Posts: 499
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Re: Biting the bottle
The smallest whimzee I've seen is a little toothbrush which appear s in several of the pictures you'll see on hamster central. Daisy likes hers and I'm going to get one for cotton
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08-01-2017, 02:07 AM
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#8
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PM Fluffy for custom title
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
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Re: Biting the bottle
They come in many different shapes including the toothbrushes.Of course,different shapes have different benefits,for example there are small stick shaped Whimzees which could be less intimidating than the larger Whimzees for some hamsters.The toothbrush Whimzees are great for hiding food on,particularly smaller seeds.Alligator Whimzees tend to be very long lasting though,and while I didn't personally try a hedgehog Whimzee they're larger than the alligator Whimzees so as a result would most likely be even more long lasting
I don't think the veggie sausage or veggie strip Whimzees would be hamster safe though(I'm almost certain both contain tomato and clove in some form),but they are highly dog approved by an incredibly picky dog.Whimzees rice bones are also hamster safe,but these may not be appreciated due to the very large size!
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08-01-2017, 02:11 AM
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#9
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Hamster Hugger
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
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Re: Biting the bottle
The smallest stick whimzees seem to be Quigley’s favourite shape so far. He also seems to have chewed the most of his yellow one, so maybe different colours have different flavours. I think they do actually, because they do have different ingredients.
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Over the Rainbow:
Alfie, Kevin, Pip, Jordy, Scamp, Sooty, Mushu, Quigley
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08-01-2017, 02:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Hamster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: London
Posts: 509
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Re: Biting the bottle
I catch Lil occasionally doing the same.
I give her so many alternative items to chew - whimzees, loofahs, woodchews, etc - which she loves, but does occasionally nibble her cage bars and bottle spout.
I just keep an eye on the bottle to check it still works and have a second backup bottle attached at all times.
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