Very spoilt hamster, still having difficulties...

[bmxlee]

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

Me and my girlfriend have had our first hamster (male Syrian) for nearly 3 months.

I'd like to think we have been very careful with him.

He started out in a 80cm cage shortly before he had an obsession with chewing. we tried a myriad of different toys for him, used preventative methods such as olive oil on the bars etc but to still no avail.

That was the point we decided he needed a bigger cage as the 80cm was no way to live.

Luckily I used to be a carpenter. I built him a cage out of Melamine faced MDF with a wire mesh lid, and toughened glass front. The cage is 157cm long, 55cm wide, and 49cm deep. one side of the cage has been divided by a wooden wall with a large sand play area with some Popsicle stick pier/hut things we made him. The other side side is filled with a few inches of Aspen substrate.
He has a 12 inch silent wheel (which I think is terrible!!) and plenty of other toys around Him to play with.

Anyway. since moving in he hasn't been out of this cage yet. despite keeping him entertained with toys and playing with him and stroking him he still wants to bite. he is definitely not nervous and I can almost guarantee that he is healthy and happy, but he has an obsession with my fingers. I wouldn't be to weary if he hadn't drew blood from me from day one, but i've been nervous every since (I seriously hurt a lot!). I put my hand out to him to climb onto, he begins to do it but then decides he'd rather chew on me instead. This is why we haven't picked him up yet.

In his old cage he would climb along the top bars, I would sometimes catch him in my hand and he seemed comfortable being there, but i would put him back down before he had a chance to bite.

I don't think its my scent as I've tried washing my hands and rubbing them in his bedding etc.

Also he keeps digging in the corners and is still chewing everything! he chewed one of the suction cups off of his water bottle. when we are around him he keeps trying to climb up the walls as if he wants to get out and see us. we have tried putting him in a play pen in the past but he hated it, and his new cage is bigger anyway.

I think we have mostly been doing the right methods (maybe too much even). but i'm starting to think hes just a little devil! hes not vicious, he just gets curious at my fingers and chases after them.

Any ideas were we are going wrong?

[Rads]

That is an epic habitat you have created for your Hammy. What is your Devil Hamster called? It will good to see pics of him.
Pip our Hammy would love that habitat to live in.

[Hamsterita]

WOW that cage is huge!! Your ham is a lucky one for sure!!

I don't know what to suggest to be honest.

If you're afraid of the bites you could use gardener globes, but they aren't going to solve the main problem that is that he bites.

Did you use the tissue trick?

Did you try to pick him up with a tube or a container and then interact with him outside his cage? It's more common in females, but some hams are more territorial than others and don't like hands in their cages.

Maybe you could make some arrangements to make him feel more confortable in his super mansion too. I know that filling that huge tank with substrate would cost gazillions, but you could make a digging tower or a separate area (like the one with sand) for him with deeper substrate so he can dig in there. Some hams love to dig!

You could also give him some dog chews as whemzees. Anyway if he doesn't chew the cage itself, and he's now focused on the cardboad tubes and other safe chews I don't think that wouldn't be a problem.

[Drago]

Hello and welcome to HC!


I love the cage it's nice and big, this should help with some behavioral issues. The silent spinner really is such a terrible wheel to be honest! It's far from silent, and it's extremely hard to turn as it's stiff. I'd recommend switching to a high quality wheel like the silent runner. Go for the 12 inch, silent runners are very durable, quiet, and smooth running so you shouldn't run into any issues with it. Silent runners are by far the best available on the market as well as being the safest around too. The only things I can suggest with the cage is to add some more hideouts and climbing toys, and to increase the amount of bedding. Adding some natural wooden toys or seagrass/Timothy tunnels will all provide lots of entertainment. Even something as simple as a couple of empty cereal boxes will work as hideouts! I'd increase the bedding to a minimum of 8-10 inches, but 12 inches or more is highly recommended It has been found in studies that Syrians with 12 inches+ of bedding have less behavioral issues than those with shallow bedding. Adding all these things would really help in my opinion, but it's really up to you! The cage is looking very nice thus far.

I've had a few particularly bitey hamsters in the past and the key to helping break the bad behavior is teaching them that you will not tolerate it. Hamsters learn by association so when he bites and you take your hand away/handle him less, he learns that he can get what he wants each time he bites. It's like give a crying toddler candy, they learn that each time they throw a fit, they're rewarded. Something you can do is leave you hand in the cage for him to crawl on and investigate, nibbling is allowed, but if he gets too mouthy, push him away and do not reward him. However, if he investigates via sniffing or licking, you can offer a treat. Since hamsters learn by association, they catch on that passive behavior gets them rewards whilst biting gets unpleasant stimulus. Keep working with him, some hamsters take a long time to come around. The key to taming a hamster (or just about any animal for that matter) is patience and persistence! Work with him a couple times a week, then move it to every other day, and then increase to a few minutes nightly. Work on bonding with him too. Sit near his cage and talk calmly to him so he learns your voice and scent. Offer him healthy treats each time you near his cage so he voluntarily greets you when he smells you've entered the room. Good luck with taming, and make sure to ask if you have any questions!




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[chesca_27]

Wow! That cage looks amazing ! He is one lucky hamster.

I think Drago has pretty much covered all aspects. Increasing the bedding might make him feel a bit safer in the cage, as he'll have more space to dig. I think the other thing is the cage needs a bitch more cover, so a few more bits and pieces in there. Tunnels and climbing toys would work. You could try making some custom shelves as well to add some extra enrichment.

[dreamtree1234]

Welcome to Hamster Central, Bmxleee! I am so sorry to hear that your hamster has biting issues. I believe that Drago did a very thorough job in suggesting options for you to train your hammy out of this behavior. I think that your hamster's home looks absolutely magnificent except I would definitely add more substrate and hiding places. My hammy loves empty boxes to chew on, climb, and hideout in. This makes her feel safer and more secure in her environment. I also totally believe in using the tissue trick and plenty of treats when the behavior is a good one. Best of luck with your hamster. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hello and Welcome to HC
WOW at your hammy's new home.
You may need to go back to start with him, try the tissue trick, stuff some toilet tissue up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours then add to his cage, curiosity will have him sniff it, do this daily for a week both you and your girlfriend. This gets him familiar with your scents. Also talk quietly and gently to him, praise him when he appears and reward him. Don't reward bad behavior. Walk away.
I would also include more hideouts in his tank so he feels safe. Hams like to have shelter. Also more substrate so he's able to dig.