Obsessive cage biting - please help! - Page 2

RolyRocks · 04-23-2020, 03:59 AM

Thanks for the measurements and the photo, your setup looks fab and Henry sounds quite the little character! I was worried to send a photo of mine incase people really judged me but you guys have been really kind and I know you will only offer me some helpful advice and suggestions. You'll probably loot at it and think 'no wonder the little fella is cage biting' but I really am looking into getting him a larger cage so hopefully I can make it more exciting for him.
A few days ago I had his wheel on the left hand side and a hanging bridge going from the back to the front. As he hardly used the bridge I decided to try putting his wheel along the back to see if I could create a little more space.
Roly tends to sleep most of the day and usually wakes in the evening or when I go to bed. He certainly enjoys running in his wheel but has never been a big chewer of anything (apart from the bars!) He isn't even overly fussed with his whimzee, I have tried both toothbrush and hedgehog. I have had him out running on my floor but have to be super careful as he could get under my bed of under cupboards! That's why a gave a playpen a go but he really wasn't keen.
Anyway, I'll attach a photo and hope people don't tell me off for doing things wrong

!

RolyRocks · 04-23-2020, 04:03 AM

Sorry, here is the photo.

cypher · 04-23-2020, 05:07 AM

The easiest thing you can do which would make a big improvement is simply to add more substrate, you've got a bit of height there above the wheel so make it as deep as you can without the wheel touching the top of the cage.
With deeper substrate you could ditch the ramp which takes up space as he should be able to climb up from the substrate or you could put something like a bendy bridge in front of it then you just have a useful shelf with a nice place to hide underneath.
You could just add in some cardboard tubes (make sure they're big enough for him to move through easily).

Ria P · 04-23-2020, 08:09 AM

Your set up isn't bad at all. The Alaska also comes with a large shelf and a ramp which i took out to free up space. I put in a much smaller wooden corner shelf which works a lot better. By replacing the large shelf with a smaller one you'd have space for a house on the right and with a flat roof there's space for the food bowl and bottle. I sink the house into the substrate and two of my dwarfs have subterranean houses which a bendy bridge over the entrance. Hamsters like to be cosy and tugged away in their nests with a hoard next to it.
Have you looked on the thread "Let's see your cages" under Housing on the Forum? It's a good place to get visual ideas.

You could try and give Roly more out of cage time and maybe he wants to interact with you.
You could try and sit in the playpen with him then let him climb all over you or let him run around on a bed or sofa if free roaming is too risky. A hall can be a good area with unsuitable areas blocked off. Don't try the bathroom, i've made that mistake and watched my hamster pancake horizontally behind the sink. They're great at pulling off the unexpected.

Ithuviel · 04-23-2020, 10:03 AM

You defenetly need more subtrate in that cage

RolyRocks · 04-23-2020, 11:59 AM

Thanks guys, more substrate it is

! Underneath the shelf there is about twice the amount of substrate but I will definitely put more everywhere else too. I kept it lower because of the wheel and didn't really think about putting his wheel on substrate as I thought it may not be very sturdy and wobble when he runs in it at speed!! I will definitely give it a try though!
Thanks, I will take a look at the "Lets see your cages" threat, I'm sure there are some great setups to look at and get ideas from!
I do get Roly out if he is awake in the evening but most times he is fast asleep until I go to bed. Is it okay to wake them to get them out for playtime and a cuddle? He does enjoy running around my bed, I just make sure I put cushions all the way around! I will remember never to put him in the bathroom, lol

!!
Thanks again guys, you have all been really helpful. X

HamsterHaven2020 · 04-23-2020, 12:27 PM

I would say if that doesn’t work maybe try a bin cage. 110 quartz is normally a good size or a 40 gallon breeder tank. I don’t really know as I haven’t been in your position as I have never had a bar chewer but if you want to go with the bin cage idea (or not I would still recommend them) maybe look at the YouTube channels Erinsanimals and Tori Raechel. Hope you hammy lives the best life. Thanks for reading