I bought a dwarf hamster. I didn't buy the bedding. Instead, I just put newspaper and tissue shreddings. Why does it scratch? Is it because of the shreddings? And when I pick it up from the cage, it bites. Why?
2007-03-24 18:08:59 · 7 answers · asked by Jiezl Victorianne V 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
The newspaper shreddings and tissue will only work so well. Because of their lack of volume/support you will have to clean the cage out twice as many times.
As for the tissue being used. Tissue tends to give off small amounts of dust/residue. This may actually be irritating to your hamster, so I would try using something that has more volume.
You can find bedding products that don't use any shavings/pine at your local pet store (I provided a link with an example below).
As for the biting:
Small animals usually bite when they are being lifted too quickly/roughly out of their cage. Try using both your hands to scoop the animal up the next time you get a chance, and be slow when doing this. Your hamster may be more responsive to this kind of handling.
2007-03-24 18:24:46 · answer #1 · answered by mroof! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My hamster likes to have a good scratch but thats only when he is having a washing frenzy. To be on the safe side take him to the vet to see if he has mites or fleas. But of course, as some people have suggested, little hammies have sensitive noses so the dust from the ripped tissue may affect him. Is the tissue unscented and unbleached too? make sure they are if thats what you are using.
He is biting because he is scared of you and his new surroundings. Taming, and gaining his trust takes time. Leave him alone for a few days so he can relax and get used to his new home. Next time dont pick him up, Hamsters have very poor eyesight so they get to know you by your smell and voice. Either hold your hand out flat of in a fist for him to approach you and smell you. Keep saying his name all the time so he knows your voice and offer him treats. Let him crawl onto your hand and gentley lift him from his cage. Good luck.
2007-03-25 04:12:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The inks from the newspaper can harm the hamster.
Probably the reason why it bites is because you don't play with it a lot.
You should at least play with you hamster for 10 mins a day :D
2007-03-25 12:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by Brittie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe its scratching coz its got mites, u can purchase form the pet shop, a mite spray for them
also , it bites because its scared, and if you give off fear when picking it up it will bite even more, continue to handle it as often as possible, and stroke it, and talk softly to it, and eventually it will come around, jsut takes time for it to get used to its new owner and surroundings
2007-03-25 01:12:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your hamster must be emo.
2007-03-25 01:11:28 · answer #5 · answered by Nitz Frugent 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
might be scratching because it got flease and its not confortable wit its currnt enviroment its cage might be to small
2007-03-25 01:17:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
YES
2007-03-25 01:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Hi 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋