Many people choose rodents as pets, believing that they do not require complicated care. Indeed, dogs need to be taken daily for a walk, and most cats meow loudly.
A hamster is a completely different thing - a very funny animal that needs only regular feed and a change of filler. But even with small rodents, certain problems can arise. "Why does a hamster gnaw a cage, is it dangerous?" - Asked by many insufficiently experienced owners of these animals. We will try to find the correct answers to this question.
Tooth grinding
All rodents constantly gnaw something. These animals get incredible pleasure from the process itself. In addition, rodents need to grind fast-growing teeth regularly. If you deprive the animal of such an opportunity, it can be injured or seriously ill.
The desire to sharpen teeth is one of the most common reasons why a hamster chews on a cage. In order to wean a pet from this habit, try to offer him a more interesting alternative. Pet shops sell special treats for rodents. You can also please the animal with natural raw wood. Some hamster owners indulge their pets with dog treats.
Another interesting idea is to allow the animal to gnaw cardboard. Cages for Syrian hamsters (standard size) ideally accommodate bushings for toilet paper or paper towels. Such cardboard rolls will become real toys for the animal, which instinctively loves to hide in shelters and minks.
The desire to communicate and attract attention
If the hamster has enough toys and treats for grinding his teeth, but continues to gnaw at the bars of the cage, most likely he is just bored. Rodents are
social animals. When such a pet lives alone, he becomes attached to the owner. The most developed feelings in hamsters are hearing and smell. The animal senses the presence of man even when he does not see it. Wanting to attract the attention of a beloved host, the pet begins to gnaw the cage.
Try to find time daily to communicate with the rodent. Let the hamster run on your lap or organize walks. It’s best to set aside a small room for the pet’s “walk” or to enclose a certain area. Make sure that there are no potentially dangerous objects and shelters in the walking area where the pet can hide. An alternative is to use a special ball for walking. If you follow this simple rule, you won’t have to think about why a hamster chews on a cage.
Basic Hamster Care
Very often, animals that have experienced severe stress bother owners with "bad" behavior. Hamsters are nocturnal animals. Try to comply with the regime and not wake up the pet again in the afternoon. Cages for
Syrian hamsters should be properly equipped. These animals need toys, a running wheel and shelters. If the pet, under normal daily conditions, nutrition and regular communication with the owner, continues to nibble the cage, it may just be crowded.
One animal needs at least 0.03 cubic meters of area. It is more interesting for rodents to live in multi-level cages where you can run around. If you think you take good care of your pet and don’t understand why the hamster chews the cage, think about whether you scared it. These animals react negatively to loud sounds and tart aromas. It is advisable to place the cage with the pet in the most quiet and peaceful place of the apartment.
How to wean a hamster to nibble the bars of a cage?
Hamsters have very sharp teeth. And if your pet begins to gnaw on a cage regularly, it can ruin it. Do not forget about the risk of injury to animals. One of the easiest ways to stop the assassination attempt on the bars of the cage is to move the hamster into the aquarium. According to many owners of rodents, this option has a lot of advantages. The hamster will definitely not bite anything, and it’s easy to clean the aquarium. Unfortunately, instantly relocating an animal is not always possible.
Agree, you won’t be able to sleep if the hamster bites the cage at night. What to do in this case, how to quickly solve the problem? Try giving your pet a slice of apple or carrot. Such a delicacy will distract him, and you can enjoy peace and quiet.