Syrian Hamster Unhappy, Trying To Escape

Tara Moss · 02-05-2021, 09:49 PM

Our first hamster Valka, a female Syrian, is about 6 months old now and has been doing great in general until recently. She will eat out of our hands, doesn't bite, and has become tame. BUT in the past month, she has taken to monkey barring constantly. Eventually, we removed one level of her three-level large wooden enclosure to stop her, so she couldn't reach the bars so and hurt herself. She is constantly trying to chew her way through her wooden enclosure now.

We aren't sure what she needs. We know the enclosure is extra-large (The PawHut Big 3 Tier Enclosure with Slide Activity Center). She has a wheel, water, a variety of food, toys, and my daughter tries to change it up and make 'boredom breakers' out of toilet rolls filled with treats. We take her out at least once a day. We don't know what else to do?

Ria P · 02-06-2021, 02:39 AM

Could be because your daughter changes things around. They don't usually like their things moved around unless it is something that doesn't work for them and you replace it is with something that does.

I was faced with a number of hamster tantrums when i tried that with my first Syrian and soon stopped it.

LunaTheHamster1 · 02-06-2021, 04:49 AM

Hi, Are you able to post a pic of your setup so we may be able to help.
I tried to look up your cage, but i am only getting plastic cages but you said she was chewing the wood, so I think I am looking at the wrong cage.
I just wondered if you could add some tunnels from the top so she can't reach the bars but still gives her something to do.

Flossypet · 02-06-2021, 11:31 AM

I think that can happen, I recently moved my hamsters setup and changed things around and she has been bar-chewing a LOT the last few days. I expect her to settle down in a few days and the same thing is true for any hamster, if you move their stuff around they tend to complain about it

Tara Moss · 02-06-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flossypet

I think that can happen, I recently moved my hamsters setup and changed things around and she has been bar-chewing a LOT the last few days. I expect her to settle down in a few days and the same thing is true for any hamster, if you move their stuff around they tend to complain about it

This really helpful. We had the impression that for stimulation they needed things to be changed up, but maybe that is just making her anxious. I will post a photo of the set up and see if there is any advice there...

Thank you!

Tara Moss · 02-06-2021, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

Hi, Are you able to post a pic of your setup so we may be able to help.
I tried to look up your cage, but i am only getting plastic cages but you said she was chewing the wood, so I think I am looking at the wrong cage.
I just wondered if you could add some tunnels from the top so she can't reach the bars but still gives her something to do.

Great. I will post a photo. Thank you for your help!

Tara Moss · 02-06-2021, 05:34 PM

The enclosure is Paw Hut wooden three tier with 1063 floor space (45.25"L x 23.5"W) and had three levels for the first few months, until she started monkey barring and falling so much that we took out the top level for her safety.

It currently looks a bit of a mess but I didn't want to wake her after her playtime in the bedding overnight. Bedding is paper-based.

Tara Moss · 02-06-2021, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Could be because your daughter changes things around. They don't usually like their things moved around unless it is something that doesn't work for them and you replace it is with something that does.

I was faced with a number of hamster tantrums when i tried that with my first Syrian and soon stopped it.

That is a great insight. Thank you!