Hamsters in a noisy environment

Coalhada · 05-31-2011, 11:05 PM

Hi everyone.

The building next door to ours is undergoing some kind of construction work - either building something new or knocking it down. It's hard to tell.

Either way, this means very noisy drilling from Monday to Saturday for part or sometimes all of the working day.
It's clear that our two winter whites, Bubbles and McNulty, don't like this at all and it seems to be affecting their behaviour. For example, Bubbles has become much more viciously territorial than normal with her cage - but only when the drilling is going on.

Any ideas as to what we could do to make things more bearable for our hamsters?

Tiny ear-muffs seemed like a good idea, but it turns out they're not very practical.

Chrissie · 06-01-2011, 01:19 AM

Is there any way you can move them to the furthest room away from the noise, close the doors too during the day, I know its not ideal and you may have done this already. I'm sorry your little hammies are suffering so much

thelittleteacup · 06-01-2011, 06:58 AM

sorry to hear about this...are they in a wire cage? if so you could put a blanket over them to muffle the noise....if they are in an enclosed cage id be carefull as it could stop the air curculating.

racinghamster · 06-01-2011, 07:42 AM

If you can, move their cage to the room furthest away from the noise? At least during the day and also have a radio or TV on low during the day to detract from the construction noise. Try and find out what`s going on with your neighbours and let them know that the noise is affecting you.

**Hamtastic** · 06-01-2011, 07:42 AM

If there's some closet or an area that's most distant from the construction noise in terms of how much you can block off by doors and walls, I would move them there for sure.

Holly's Mum · 06-01-2011, 09:08 AM

Can you find out how long the noise is going to be going on for? If it is only days or weeks, then can you ask a friend to take them in for that long? If it is going to be months, then sorry to say, the best thing for your hammies might be either to find someone else to take them long term.

I don't mean to sound critical or sanctimonious but if this is really upsetting them and it's going on for a long time, well it might be better for them in the long term.

Coalhada · 06-01-2011, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the practical solutions - as you guessed, we have moved the girls to quieter locations during the day. This seemed to solve the problem, at least, but it's good to have more suggestions and I think improvements can still be made. As long as they can sleep that's the main thing.

The background music/TV idea is a good one.
I'd be a little concerned about covering the cages as the heat here is always a bit of an issue.

I suppose overall the noise is not a huge thing, really. But it is something they don't like, so we will do what we can to mitigate the effects.