Moving hamster to a new cage

IndigoElectron · 03-19-2009, 12:37 AM

I've realised that whatever I do, my 12 week-old Syrian is NEVER going to stop chewing her bars. She has loads of toys and an Imac with 2 expansions, but she ignores the toys and goes for the bars every time. She does it almost constantly when she's awake (I think she wants my attention and to be let out) and is starting to lose some fur from her nose. The only way I can stop her is to sit there poking cardboard through the bars which she then chews instead, but obviously I can't do that all the time!

I'm thinking it would be best to move her to a new cage but I've heard this can be upsetting for them - all things considered, would it be a good idea to move her? It's a bit annoying considering how much I spent on the Imac but I want her to be happy. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting this cage (thanks to the person on here who recommended it):

http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catal ... ivery.html

My question is - will this really be big enough for her? It looks quite big but it's only 31.5 cm high which doesn't seem that much considering I will want to put things in for her to climb on, and I work full time so she doesn't get out an awful lot (I try to let her out 2 or 3 times each day but don't always manage it). I don't really have the space to get a much bigger one but neither do I want to keep her in the Imac while she's chewing the bars. I was also wondering why she thinks the Imac is too small when it's 4 levels - is it because Syrians prefer length/width to height?

shazzy · 03-19-2009, 02:13 AM

Hello,

I had the same problem with Little Mo - she had chews and toys and a wheel to play with in her old cage, but she would ignore all of those for chewing the bars and wouls do it all night.

I bought the cage in your link and Little Mo seems alot happier. She is 100% tamer because you have better access to reach in and touch her. The size seems really generous - I have a large hanging ladder, puzzle playgroun, log cabin house, large tube system, a silent spinner wheel and a coconut sand bath in mine and it doesnt seem too crowded - Mo likes going up and over all of the obsticles.

Just a couple of pointers though if you do buy this cage - do make sure that she has a ledge to sit on and look out, as the sides are quite high (Mo uses the flat ceiling on her log cabin house).

Also, I found that due to the lack of bars - Mo decided she would take to chewing the water bottle spout, but there are ways to deal with this (thanks Souffle for your advice on this!)

I wouldnt let that put you off tho, I think it's a great cage

souffle · 03-19-2009, 05:15 AM

She is young enough to settle in a new cage I'd say. The imac is plenty big enough with one extension but it is the bars which are an issue for you. Three playouts is quite a lot! No wonder she is begging to get out

She will likely acrobat on the roof and will try to chew the roof bars however we find they cannot do it so well standing up and reaching. At first use low toys so she cannot get into the habit to start with. If she does stand on a toy and chew we would put a ceramic tile weighted with books on that area so she cannot get her nose through to chew. They normally give up after a few weeks! You would easily sell on the imac I imagine.

shazzy · 03-19-2009, 05:21 AM

Another note on chewing the bars on the lid with the Duna - the spacing between the bars is fairly narrow, so although Mo makes her way up there, she finds it hard to chew because it is quite tight to get her nose through the gaps. I've had no bar chewing since moving her into this cage, and she has loads of high places to reach up there.

IndigoElectron · 03-20-2009, 01:44 AM

Thanks, I'll order the cage this week then.

Shazzy, how do you fit a water bottle to this cage? I think I read that there is a hole for the spout, does this mean the bottle stays on the outside? How is it attached?

Souffle, is three times out of her cage each day too much? Because she was bar chewing I thought she was bored (though I don't let her out straight after she's done it as she will then probably do it more!) so I thought letting her out more often was good. She usually gets one or two goes in her ball for about 15 minutes at a time, and we have a play together in the bathroom for about 20 minutes. Though I don't always manage it - she just had one go in the ball last night and if I stay at my boyfriend's one night, sometimes she doesn't get to come out at all as she's asleep until about 7pm.

Also, where would you recommend advertising the Imac? I thought of putting it on EBay but I don't see how I'd be able to post it as it's so big and heavy.

shazzy · 03-20-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myfanwy

Shazzy, how do you fit a water bottle to this cage? I think I read that there is a hole for the spout, does this mean the bottle stays on the outside? How is it attached?

There is a hole for the water bottle spout - you put the spout through the hole and then there is a bit of wire which holds the bottle on the outside of the cage (there are 2 small holes to pop the ends of the wire in at the top). The bottle that comes with it is HUGE so you will need a smaller bottle for her. However, the bottle needs to be quite tall otherwise the wire wont reach to hold it.

Hope Myfanwy likes the cage

souffle · 03-20-2009, 03:43 AM

If you are happy to take the hamsters out three times a day then that is fine. We take ours out for about 30mins each in the evening and they have cuddles, handling, floor running, stair climbing and playpen or bed snuffling about!
They can become demanding and ask to come out a lot but who can blame them when there is a big wide world out there.
The Imac could go on e bay but you could put local pick up only so you would not have to post it. You can ask if anyone on the forum is looking for one if you like that lives near you and could collect. Also Freeads with a local pick up might be an idea. Sometimes you can sell them with an ad in your local paper shop window or supermarket. They go better with a pic people can look at.

IndigoElectron · 03-20-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazzy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myfanwy

Shazzy, how do you fit a water bottle to this cage? I think I read that there is a hole for the spout, does this mean the bottle stays on the outside? How is it attached?

There is a hole for the water bottle spout - you put the spout through the hole and then there is a bit of wire which holds the bottle on the outside of the cage (there are 2 small holes to pop the ends of the wire in at the top). The bottle that comes with it is HUGE so you will need a smaller bottle for her. However, the bottle needs to be quite tall otherwise the wire wont reach to hold it.

Hope Myfanwy likes the cage

I see - could you tell me how tall the bottle needs to be? Then I can see if I need to order another. Quite excited about getting this cage now!

Souffle, thanks for the advice - now I have an idea how long hams need to be out I don't need to feel too bad if she doesn't get her three times a day!

happysaz133 · 03-20-2009, 04:03 PM

I went through the exact same thing with Jasper, total attention seeking as he would only ever chew his doors!

I got him a Gabber Rex, however the Multy looks fab and I'm tempted to get it myself!

She should be fine settling into a new cage, she's still quite young! Best of luck!

IndigoElectron · 03-25-2009, 01:35 AM

I got this cage yesterday and I'm a bit disappointed

On the site it says it should be 46cm Height: 31.5cm Length: 71.5cm but because the sides slope, the base is only about 65cm by 38cm (approximately, I was in a bit of a rush when I measured it) - the measurements given are for the largest part of the cage, halfway up the height. But it's definitely not as big as I'd expected.

I've put some of her things in including a Junior Wodent Wheel, sandbath and this house:

http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catal ... house.html

and it's already looking a bit cramped.

I know Shazzy's Little Mo is very happy in this cage and there are two reviews on the site I got it from (I think one is Shazzy's), both praising this cage. And I also know it's designed for guinea pigs, so it should be plenty big enough for my little Myfanwy, but I can't help worrying she won't have enough room! I really don't have the money or space for the larger size so I want this one to be ok - I suppose I'm just looking for reassurance from more experienced hamster owners.

I was wondering too - the Gabber Rex has similar measurements - is it also the case with that cage that the sides slope, so the floor space is less than described?