Hamster chewing problem!

[Tish36]

Shadow my male Syrian, lives in a Mini Duna cage....

He has begun chewing the area where his water bottle is, and is slowly beginning to make grooves in the plastic from where he has nibbled.

He has chews and that, but it isn't helping?

I don't want him to make a massive hole or anything, how do I deter this behaviour?

xx

[annie81]

hmm...maybe the mini duna is too small for him and he cant run about and stuff. i bought a new cage for my syrian because she didnt look right in the mini duna.

[fluffymunchkins]

I'm pretty sure the main cause will be boredem in this case if he has chews. Try making a play pen or securing a room for floortime! They will really appreciate a huge space to wear some excess energy off. If you already do this then either do it more often (i try to do it at least 3 times a week, then put in running ball and run around on my bed and sofa on days i don't).
Or make it more excited by putting normal food or treats around the room/playpen that they can search for and collect. If you really don't have the time or you don't have a safe room/play pen then even the bathtub will be a nice space which you don't have to watch them in so closeley.
making normal everday food, fresh food and treats will more difficult to get to, like inside a cardboard box and giving things more interesting to chew then wooden chew toys or whatever you use. Like a piece of kitchen roll or a tasty honey nut knaw
Hope at least something from this can help!

[Tish36]

Thanks I'll try that - that really helps, he'll probably have a lot of energy as he's only young...

I think he's good in this cage, as he seems to like it, plus I've promised myself not to buy anymore cages, as I need to start saving for other stuff :']

[Tish36]

Might try the bathtub idea, as I don't want to risk a playpen due to the fact that I have 2 cats and a dog :')

[fluffymunchkins]

yh the bathtub is defintely safest. But my dog doesn't even come upstairs! When she did she started shaking all over when porridge woke up, shes an ex racing dog so i'm not surprised.

[Tish36]

Ahhh my dog got bit by Sprout through the bars, so he's fairly mellow with them.
Toby (my dog) comes upstairs and sits by their cages, he isn't really phased.

It's just my cats are really sneaky and can sometimes hide under my bed, so if I got the playpen out and put the hammies in without knowing = DISASTER

Bathtub sounds good though ;D