Bar Chewing

 

The most common causes of bar chewing are stress and boredom. Hamsters can easily become bored if they are living in an unsuitable environemt or do not have enough stimulating toys. If allowed to continue bar chewing can become a regular habit for the hamster which can lead to dental, nasal and even neurological problems. Bar chewing should be resolved as soon as possible and not allowed to become a regular habit.

 

 

Methods To Stop Bar Chewing

 

These methods are designed to stop bar chewing from becoming a habit.

 

Often times people think their cages are big enough for their hamster because they are above the bare minimum size requirement however, those sizes are only set by humans to prevent hamsters being kept in cruel environments. Having a cage that meets that requirement does not automatically mean that you hamster will be happy in it. Hamsters are individuals and have their own ideas on how much space they need, bar chewing can in many cases be fixed buy upgrading your hamster to a much bigger cage. The detolf is one of the best big cages that is also cheap. It is available from IKEA and measures 163 x 43cm. You can also build a large cage for your hamster with basic DIY skills.

 

When it comes to toys owners will usually claim that their hamsters has a lot of toys so shouldn't be bored but the type of toys that your hamster has is very important. Every hamster has different toy preferences (some are climbers, some are diggers, some are chewers etc) so learning more about your hamster's personality is key to picking the right toys. The biggest mistake owners make is to not include toys that stimulate the hamsters mind, although hamsters are not as intelligent as rats or mice they still have a need to be challenged and have no trouble working out simple puzzle toys. Puzzle toys that reward your hamster with a treat are ideal for keeping your hamster occupied and helping them feel mentally fulfilled.

 

Finally make sure your hamster is able to exercise. If your wheel is too small the hamster may be reluctant to use it as small wheels are uncomfortable. Your hamster's back should not arch while it is using the wheel. As a general rule roborovskis should have 6" wheel, Winter whites, Campbells and Chinese should have 8" wheels, and Syrians should have 8" - 11" wheels.

 

 

Methods To Discourage Bar Chewing

 

These methods are designed to help hamsters break the habit of bar chewing. They will not work long term if you do not fix the problems addressed above first.

 

 

Method 1: Wooden Pegs

 

If you hamster chews in a particular area of the cage then try clipping wooden pegs to that area to discourage them or at least encourage the chewing of wood rather than the bars! You could also put hanging toys or hanging treats here as a distraction.

 

 

Method 2: Olive Oil

 

Rub olive oil over the bars, most hamsters hate the taste and this will discourage them from chewing. It may however result in a greasy looking hamster if they decide to rub against it! 

 

 

Method 3: Paper Threading

 

Using paper or thin cardboard, thread it through the bars of the chewing area. If the hamster can't get to the bars it can't chew! This will need replacing as the hamster chews through it but at least it isn't as dangerous as chewing the bars!

 

 

Method 4: No More Bars

 

Some hamsters will be too obsessed with bar chewing to be helped and therefore will need to live in a tank or tank-style cage.

 

 

Method 5: Nose Blowing

 

This should be your last option. If you catch your hamster chewing gently blow on their nose to distract them - every time they touch the bars with their teeth blow their nose again. After a few sessions of this a hamster will associate the bar chewing with the harmless but annoying blow on the nose and should chose to stop.