hamster help

[RosaLee]

hi, i got a new hamster for christmas and he keeps gnawing on the bars of his cage? is this normal if not how do i stop it?

thanks Lauren

[IRescue452]

They love to chew on their bars, and escape if they can. One reason I prefer solid cages over bars. Another when the coating is chewed off the bars and they start to corrode, I hate that.

[Muddy4paws]

Has she got stuff to chew on? If you go into the petshops they sell wooden toys for hamsters to gnaw on.

[Genny]

hamsters love to chew on things; it sounds like he just needs some new toys to play with ;)

[Christmas_Hamster]

Chewing can mean several things. He/she may be bored, may have nothing to chew, may want out, or may be trying to get your attention.

So does he/she have a wheel that they can fit in and that has a solid surface? Do they have other toys to play with? Do they have extra space to just run around with?

Does he/she have somethign to chew? Milk bones like for dogs, are a great thing to give them as they usually love them.

Does your hamster get enough time out of the cage? Have you tryed handling him/her yet?

You can put lemon juice on the bars as he/she will not like the taste. ;)

[RosaLee]

thanks for the advice :) my mum has gone to the pet shop to get more chewing things and an exercise ball, i stroke him whilst he is in the cage and today i am going to try and handle him wish me luck :)