Hi everyone
I recently brought my hamster home, 6 days ago now. Since the moment she was brought home, she was climbing the cage bars, chewing the bars quite erratically, and running up and down the cage. She continues to behave like this, as though she is trying to escape?
I have had hamsters before and have good knowledge on how to make their home a happy one. She has a large glass bottom cage, which has two floors. I provide her with food daily and fresh water. She has plenty of bedding, a hideaway, toys within the cage and a wheel which I hoped would distract her and keep her occupied instead of constantly trying to chew through the bars.
She does sleep well during the day and she does settle at times to eat and drink or have a play on her wheel/other toys but then will go back to looking for ways to get out.
I understand that hamsters need time to settle in their new home but I have never seen a behaviour like this last for so long? I would have hoped she would have settled more by now.
Is this normal behaviour or should I be concerned? I feel upset and guilty watching her behave like this. I want to try and get to know her so I can give her time away from her cage daily, but at the moment, she appears to erratic to do this and I don't want to disturb her any further if she is not happy in her home yet. I have been placing my hand in the cage with treats, which she takes from me with no issue, however is not interested in smelling my hand or trying to engage with me. She doesn't appear scared, she appears more preoccupied with getting out the cage
Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you!