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Old 04-25-2022, 03:01 PM   #1
TobyC
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Leicester, UK
Posts: 9
Red face Attention Seeking Hammy!

We have an 8 month old Syrian and she bar bites for attention and it me pisses me and my partner off! We know its for attention seeking purposes because as soon as we go over she stops 🤷 what the actual feck! Is there any anti-chew spray anyone recommends? I know there is one for cats and dogs but I don't know if I can use the same one for Syrian hamsters. It's stresses both my partner and I out and to add injury she is in the bedroom so trying to go to sleep and her bar biting...🤬🤬 HELP ME PLEASE!!!
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Old 04-25-2022, 03:13 PM   #2
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

Hi, you may not want to hear this but the top reason for bar biting is because they need a bigger enclosure. A female Syrian ideally needs 100 x 50cm but some are fussy and may even need bigger. You could also have that size and still have this issue if there isn’t enough enrichment/things to do in the enclosure.

She’s stopping when you go up to her for two reasons, one: recognises that she may be let out which = more room, and two: all hamsters stop and look when any sound or movement is made because they have very poor eyesight. They stop to intensely listen and smell what’s coming. It’s not a teasing thing and bar biting is normally always trying to tell you something especially if it’s constant.

If she only does it for a short span and stops it could also be caused by if your feeding through the cage bars, so if you do this start opening the cage and actively passing the food. I think you’ve mentioned bar biting before though and as it’s been this constant I would definitely say it’s probably to do with the enclosure.
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Old 04-25-2022, 03:18 PM   #3
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

As a temporary solution you can put cardboard around the enclosure but if the bar biting has been constant and for a long time then either something is bothering them about the enclosure, or they’re trying to tell you something. Just check their wheel spins and water bottle is working also.
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Old 04-26-2022, 12:05 AM   #4
TobyC
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Leicester, UK
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

We've have done everything we can for her. She has a savic plaza, perfect wheel, she has sand and a mud bath. We have done cardboard around the sides but that does not stop her in the slightest. We get her out pretty much every day and when it comes to food we do both. We feed through the bars and through the door. She has been bar biting for as long as I remember. We are doing EVERYTHING we can to reduce bar biting she has plenty to chew on such as different chews whether it's treats or cardboard that we give her and other platforms in the cage that she can chew. Oh and plenty of burrowing! There is physically no more we can do for her in the sense of enrichment.
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Old 04-26-2022, 12:32 AM   #5
cloudy
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Join Date: Feb 2022
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

Hello TobyC. Female Syrians are well known for needing extra space. I would suspect she would like a bigger cage. I have read of many needing to upgrade their cages due to their hamster displaying these signs.

I understand when you are tired any noise is difficult but if you think of it from her point of view, every 4 days she comes into season. She is frustrated and likely wants more space. She is not trying to annoy you or stop you sleeping. Biting the bars is the only way she can express what she is feeling.

I remember you were concerned she was not drinking water. Is she drinking water now?

Last edited by cloudy; 04-26-2022 at 12:54 AM.
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Old 04-26-2022, 12:43 AM   #6
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

Also an upgrade from that size will mean there’s not really a barred cage choice. Which even if she’s fussy in that there won’t be bars to chew on. They’d be other signs to watch for but nothing noisy
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Old 04-26-2022, 01:40 AM   #7
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

For a determined chewer the only option may be a large glass tank with a secure diy meshed lid like a second hand aquarium. Not a pawhut or wooden framed enclosure because she'd chew that.

I have in the past seen female Syrians advertised for adoption under the condition that they will be housed in a large glass tank because they were chewers.

You've done everything you can with the Plaza but it sounds that a barred cage isn't suitable for her.
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Old 04-26-2022, 02:38 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Attention Seeking Hammy!

My syrian hamster Moonbeam was in the savic plaza when I first fostered her. She was the worse bar chewer ever. Could do it non stop all night given the chance. She is now in a marrakesh cage whilst I build her a new one.
Like others have said I think a tank type cage will be your only long term solution.
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