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Old 05-09-2021, 05:02 PM   #1
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Unhappy Bar Biting Again?!

Hi,
I’ve had my hamster for around 3 weeks now and she’s been doing well. When i first got her, she was in a cage way to small so she used to bar bite and climb the bars so i got a new one and moved her in about a week after i got her. This is the link to her current cage: https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...nline-only%29# She stopped bar biting and climbing when i moved her in and until now. Tonight she’s started to, both, bar bite and climb her cage. I wouldn’t be so worried about her climbing but she keeps falling down and she could injure herself. Any idea why she’s started doing this again?! I’ve read somewhere that it could be boredom, but she has plenty of toys to chew and play with. Along with the bar biting, i’ve heard her teeth chattering. Now i’ve looked this up and is a sign of aggression really so any idea on why she’s suddenly making chattering noises?

Me and her have been getting on quite well. She takes food from my fingers and eats it in front of me. I’ve recently managed to start stroking her. Not much but it’s a start! Could that be the problem? She seems okay when i’m doing it. She doesn’t react in a bad way, however i do it when i’ve given her food or a treat. She lets me stroke her, maybe has a little sniff but let’s me do it again!
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Old 05-10-2021, 08:15 AM   #2
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: Bar Biting Again?!

Hello! No I am sure you stroking her isn't what it causing the stress, no worries! If anything she is just getting more confident and wants to epxlore more! The cage you have is on the small side (don't hate me for saying this, but female Syrians need a lo of space) so maybe she wants to come out. Would you consider free roaming her or getting her a play pen? Whoever said hamsters were cheap pets who required little space clearly wasn't paying attention! Beyond the size of the cage, scatter her food and some forage mix so she can be busy foraging, put in sprays, make sure she has a good depth of bedding. I hope it gets better soon. Definitely keep the taming process going, it will keep her busy and happy once she is comfortable and trusts you.
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Old 05-10-2021, 09:08 AM   #3
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Default Re: Bar Biting Again?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodo View Post
Hello! No I am sure you stroking her isn't what it causing the stress, no worries! If anything she is just getting more confident and wants to epxlore more! The cage you have is on the small side (don't hate me for saying this, but female Syrians need a lo of space) so maybe she wants to come out. Would you consider free roaming her or getting her a play pen? Whoever said hamsters were cheap pets who required little space clearly wasn't paying attention! Beyond the size of the cage, scatter her food and some forage mix so she can be busy foraging, put in sprays, make sure she has a good depth of bedding. I hope it gets better soon. Definitely keep the taming process going, it will keep her busy and happy once she is comfortable and trusts you.
Thanks for the reply! I’ve bought her a playpen as there’s no safe space for her to free roam unfortunately, i’m just trying to figure out how to get her out! I tried doing the jug technique but she wouldn’t get into it and was almost scared of it. I haven’t tried letting her come onto my hand yet as she’s quite skittish so i thought it’s best to take things slower. She doesn’t try to bite me anymore which is a good sign so i could try it again. It would just be much easier if she was in her playpen! But i’ll go with what she’s comfortable with i guess 😂 any ideas on how to get her out without me picking her up? I’ll scatter her food around and she has lots of bedding in there for her to burrow. I’m hoping the bar biting was a one time thing but i’ll see tonight🤞🏼
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Old 05-10-2021, 09:32 AM   #4
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: Bar Biting Again?!

I've read somewhere to just decide on what 'vessel' you'll choose to take her out and leave that thing in her cage so that she feels totally comfortable around it, placing treats inside (sunflower seeds for example, but also the healthier small piece of cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage etc.). She will stop being scared, and when you want to take her somewhere you just lure her in with a treat, place something in front of the opening and take her to the playpen. I find small pet carriers with a front opening, like the ovo habitrail one, or the smal lferplast one, quite useful as they close well. You will need to take her out for full cleans anyway so it is good to get her use to it. And if she's used to being lifed, maybe she will be less scared of being lifted in your hand.
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Old 05-10-2021, 09:33 AM   #5
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: Bar Biting Again?!

My Syrian won't let me pick him up (I haven't tried really hard to be honest) but he's happy to hop in his ovo carrier, which often has a treat and a layer of his bedding.

Habitrail HABITRAIL OVO TRANSPORT UNIT
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Old 05-10-2021, 12:40 PM   #6
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Default Re: Bar Biting Again?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodo View Post
I've read somewhere to just decide on what 'vessel' you'll choose to take her out and leave that thing in her cage so that she feels totally comfortable around it, placing treats inside (sunflower seeds for example, but also the healthier small piece of cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage etc.). She will stop being scared, and when you want to take her somewhere you just lure her in with a treat, place something in front of the opening and take her to the playpen. I find small pet carriers with a front opening, like the ovo habitrail one, or the smal lferplast one, quite useful as they close well. You will need to take her out for full cleans anyway so it is good to get her use to it. And if she's used to being lifed, maybe she will be less scared of being lifted in your hand.
Hmm okay, thank you! I’ll have a look into the carrier or try and find something to transport her in.
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