I just bought a new cage with metal bars once my hamster learned how to ecsape from the plastic one. The only problem in now she is planning her next big break and her chewing on those darn bars all night long drives me up the walls. Any suggestions on how to make her stop?
2007-10-29 05:17:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
you need to make sure that your hamster has everything he could naturally need / want to satisfy him. he needs plenty of alternative things to chew on, wood chews from the pet shop, cardboard tubes, apple twigs from the garden are all good. you also need to make sure your hamster has plenty of exercise - this means a LARGE cage, suitable wheel and in-cage entertainment ie, sandpit, toys etc. he also needs out of cage time where he can run and explore - i have built mine a run that i put up in the living room, it is basically a wooden frame with a lid, all sides and lid covered in quality wire mesh. i have lots of toys in the run, a further wheel and a large sandpit for digging in.
if you are sure that you are providing all this for your hamster and he still chews then unfortunately it may just be one of those things! i had one hamster that despite all the exercise and chew materials i got him - he still chewed - he just liked to chew! you can buy stuff to spray on the cage, bitter apple stuff used for puppies - which may help - i personally have never been able to get hold of the stuff to try it though!
you could also see if your hamster always chews in one spot - and if so - try tying something on the cage in this spot that you don't mind him chewing.
2007-10-29 05:23:15 · answer #1 · answered by WitchyPants 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That's normal behavior, but she can't chew through metal bars. Rodents just need to gnaw. And they are nocturnal.
If she doesn't have a running wheel, get her one. If it squeaks, oil it with vaseline or cooking oil. This will help keep her busy, relax her, and give her a feeling of freedom.
Make sure she has something to chew, such as wood, which will be less noisy than metal bars.
Then you could put some Bitter Apple (from the pet store) on the bars to make them taste bad.
Personally, I like the sound of pet rodents gnawing and rattling at night, I find it soothing; but I know I'm weird.
2007-10-29 12:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure she has plenty of other things to chew on, like mineral wheels and wooden sticks. You could also get a some sour apple spray and spray it on the bars, it will stop the chewing and it wont harm her. Good luck
2007-10-29 13:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is most likely doing this out of boredom.
Make sure she has enough things to entertain herself, like a wheel, fresh veggies, hay and hard treats you can get in the pet aisle at any store.
Sometimes, they will chew on awkward things if they are missing some minerals, so try laying one of those salt stones in her cage to see if she directs her attention more towards it.
Good luck!
2007-10-29 12:25:11 · answer #4 · answered by Cat Scratch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get her out more often. Put her in a ball to run around in. I put ours in a box with a bunch of shredded paper, recycled containers for her to play in, go through, etc. Give her new surroundings so she doesn't get bored. Then maybe she'll be more content. What about chewies? They need to chew, so make sure you have some wood in there for her to chew.
2007-10-29 13:24:34 · answer #5 · answered by Little Miss Sunshine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know of a way to stop this...
Put a little bit of lemon juice on his/her bars every night... don't worry this won't do anything to your hamster all it will do it make it want a drink the more your hamster bites the more he/she will regret doing it... He/she should stop within the first two days of doing so
Hope my advise helps
xxx
2007-10-29 13:44:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, try giving your hamster knawing blocks, and hamster toys to play with, a wheel maybe, it is natural for them to chew on the cage bars, AND KEEP YOU UP ALL NIGHT..TRUST ME I KNOW.
purchase some good earplugs.
good luck.
2007-10-29 15:34:00 · answer #7 · answered by fieldmouse2121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give them a bark of wood not the one that can be bought just a fresh cut from the trees, their teeth continously growing so they need something to chew on.
2007-10-29 12:24:55 · answer #8 · answered by rosvic74 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my hamster did this 2 but she worked out that if u knock the latch it opens. so if urs figues this out put on a small pad lock like you do for suitcase's.
if it annoys you that much keep it out of ur bed room.
let ur hamster out in its ball at night so it will be tired by the time you put it back in.
hope this helps (it helped me)
x
2007-10-29 12:58:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does she have anything else to chew on, like a wood block or toilet paper tube? If not, I would recommend getting her one.
2007-10-30 17:44:39 · answer #10 · answered by blue-eyed babe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋