Is there any way to keep my hamster from chewing on her cage?

Question

1) The metal bars.
2) Without buying a new cage.

I have wooden sticks in her cage and a wheel and things like that, but at night when I am trying to sleep and I get up to her chewing, it looks like she is trying / wants to get out.

And I read somewhere that if hamsters chew on their cage, they could get brain damage, because their teeth can slide into their head.

Answer 1

Hamsters teeth grow at an alarming rate. Get her other things to chew on from the pet store. This is her way of filing her teeth down. When they chew it wears the teeth down at the same time they are growing. The chew toys and treats from the pet store are hard and will keep her occupied enough to stop chewing on the bars. Good luck.

Answer 2

First, get an exercise ball and let it run around for awhile every day. Maybe that will make it want to get out less. If the cage takes tunnels (my wire cage does), get some more so she has lots of room to explore in her cage. Maybe she feels it's too small.

Second, while you say you have a stick in there for her... try other chew things as well. Put a rock in there, a variety of sticks (including natural wood, like apple branches), small cardboard things like toilet paper rolls or small boxes, etc. Untreated wicker is another great chew toy (the craft stores often sell small balls or "wreaths" of untreated wicker, and thrift stores always have tiny baskets for really cheap... just make sure it's untreated - ie. not painted or shiny/glazed). By offering a variety of things to chew on... maybe you'll find something she likes better than the cage bars.

Lastly, you can put yucky tasting stuff on the bars to see if it deters her. You'd want to check a hamster website to see what's okay. I've heard of using tabasco, but I'd check to make sure it won't harm her first.

Answer 3

it is chewing because it wants out. get it a hamster ball ($5)and let it run every night when it wakes up until u go to sleep. the chewing will then lessen and maybe even end at night cuz u will satisfy her need. just getting a glass cage wont help her, only u. mine run for up to 4 hrs at night with breaks back in the cage for water every hr. they then chew if they want back out again and this continues until i go to bed or they do. yes they need chewsticks but this chewing is not for their teeth. they're used to running 6 miles a night in the wild and still have that desire. the wheel isnt enuff.

put tape on the ball lid---it can pop open and then just go watch tv or whatever u normally do. of course dont forget about her! and check her every hr or if she stops more than a 5 or 10 min she may be stuck ina corner or ready to back to her cage.

excessive chewing can cause broken and misaligned teeth. if allowed to run enough they will chew to say "let me out" and once satisfied wont again til the next night. its like walking the dog--gotta do it every day!

Answer 4

Keep your eyes out for an aquarium from someone who doesn't want one anymore and switch her over, but you will need to put a lid on it. We went for years trying to sleep with hamsters and gerbils chewing on the metal bars at night. They seemed to enjoy making as much noise as possible, and so eventually we got an aquarium from a neighbor whose hamster had died. MUCH BETTER! Good luck. Good ideas listed here, like keep trying a lot of different chew things you can put in there from the pet store.

Answer 5

Good grief. Teeth don't slip into the head. Someone is trying to pull a fast one. It is natural for a hamster to chew. This is how they shorten their teeth. I don't think you are going to stop it from chewing. I would suggest putting the hamster in a different room.

Answer 6

all rodents chew, need to chew, will chew no matter what (i have rats). they chew because it keeps their teeth trimmed (for lack of better phrase). put lots of different things for her to chew in the cage, from wood, cardboard ask at pet store or other owners or books what has been successful for some. they are also nocturnal animals so night is good time for them. they won't push their teeth into their head, but if they don't chew they will have trouble with their teeth hurting them.

Answer 7

The hamster needs something harder than wood to chew on. Try getting a cuttlebone. Those are usually tough enough to file down the teeth.

Answer 8

this suggests he's board or cage is too small. Or both. if you're holding him in a CritterTrail or 10 gallon tank that is a lot to small for the large breed. possibly you need to purchase a larger cage from an section puppy shop or maybe craigslist (if ever purchase a used one bleach it). also to make his cage relaxing, get some tubing (paper towel rolls or shop offered). also if the cage is tall sufficient positioned some hand-crafted tiers out of timber. make confident you've hidey houses besides (timber ones are superb). also you need to purchase apple sticks, and those are a fave in hamsters. desire this facilitates!

Answer 9

THere's many things you can do, but lil rodents are stubborn ( ihave mice ) so once they start its likely they won't stop. The bitter apple products used for cats, is not harmful to your little one, but chances are, she'll either like it, or find another spot to chew. You need to give her more to do. More things to play with or in or around. Keep her attention diverted form the bars ( plus it makes her more social with you! )
With a dwarf hampster i had years and years ago, i had bought a little ball that had water in it with an object that floated around . It had his attention NON STOP when it was in the cage. Try lots of things.

Answer 10

Ya there are certain things at the pet store that you can buy. There are like food sticks and stuff that they can chew on. It is because they are teething and they are trying to ge therer teeth filed down.