New hamster not chewing? - Paw Talk

Snapdragon · #1 05-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Hey guys...I'm the new owner to a (black bear) syrian hamster. My husband brought him home about two weeks ago. It's been a long time since I owned hamsters (the last one I owned, I think I was 13/14), but I remember my previous hamsters chewing a lot more. This one doesn't, at least not that I've ever noticed. He has toilet paper tubes, wooden hiding places, chew sticks, and a few other possibly chewable things, and I haven't seen a mark on any of them. The only thing he seems to want to do in his cage is eat and run in his wheel.

Is this normal for hamsters? Should I be concerned at all or just let him be?

laydeerodentzz · #2 05-12-2009, 09:24 AM

Well, I'm not sure. If his food is hard enough to wear down his teeth alone, than maybe he doesn't need to chew anything else. Or if he doesn't nessersarily want attention, he won't chew on the bars- or if your already giving him enough attention and he's happy with that.
I don't think you need to worry unless his teeth are over growing though.
Good luck!
xxx

Snapdragon · #3 05-12-2009, 02:19 PM

It seems I spoke too soon! I rearranged his tank today and added quite a few new things, and he immediately started gnawing on everything. Go figure.

He seems a lot happier in this new setup, at least!

laydeerodentzz · #4 05-12-2009, 02:47 PM

Awww okay

I just got a little girl hammy and she is a chewer. I've given her loads of toys, but she preffers the bars of her cage! lol.
xxx

Tasariel · #5 05-12-2009, 04:45 PM

I noticed that my little guy wasn't chewing on his toys for a little while either. It might have been that he was just not comfortable yet.

GAMZu · #6 06-30-2009, 12:46 PM

My hamsters aren't chewers, either for some reason. One of them will try his teeth briefly on any new addition to the cage and then leave it alone. They don't chew cardboard or wood at all.

CrWoodyspets · #7 06-30-2009, 01:28 PM

My hamsters chew on the bars of their cage, especially at night! Go figure...

LuvPets · #8 06-30-2009, 02:05 PM

All three of mine chew, or scrape is actually a better word, on the tubes and plastic spaces on their cages!! It is annoying beyond words--but I love 'em!!!

GAMZu · #9 07-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrWoodyspets


	My hamsters chew on the bars of their cage, especially at night! Go figure...

You know that's dangerous, right?
They can break their teeth or get them misaligned. Then they won't get trimmed down when chewing and you'd have to take care of it. If you don't their teeth will grow too long, can grow up into the brain, and it can be fatal.

The suggestions I read was to give more attention and rearrange toys more often to alleviate boredom. If they still persist, an aquarium would be the next step.