A rotating hamster wheel can make one insane and is equally annoying as a hamster biting his cage bars all the time. The big question is if the hamster needs to bite, or is it a bad habit? Hamsters are commonly known to be quiet animals, but the downside fact is they like chewing anything that they can get hold of. Even though it is a common practice, if the hamster chews with too much frequency, it could be a sign of a problem.
Too much gnawing by hamsters could be a signal that the hamster is stressed or bored. It is also not safe for the hamster to bite on the cage frequently as the metal bar is too harsh for the tiny teeth. The hamster could also be ingesting dangerous materials that the bar is made of and can cause illness and severe damage to its system.
Can Vinegar Be Used to Stop Hamsters from Biting Their Cage?
Vinegar is too acidic and can harm the hamster if he tastes it. If you use vinegar on the metal cage bars, the hamster can ingest it when biting and can cause severe health conditions as it is acidic. On the other hand, hamsters can have apple cider vinegar. The apple vinegar is not very acidic and, in small amounts, is tolerable by the hamster’s stomach.
Vinegar can be used while cleaning hamster cage bars. To be used, it has to be appropriately diluted with a lot of water. The hamster should not be in the cage when cleaning, and after cleaning, the cage should be aired out before bringing back the hamster. The cage can also be wiped down with water after cleaning with vinegar to ensure the hamster’s maximum safety.
Reasons Why Hamsters Bite on Cage Bars
The hamster cage is small.
Hamsters are often kept in small cages and end up feeling grumpy and cramped. Hamster cages vary depending on the hamster type, but the recommended average cage size should be 24* 12 inches and 12 inches tall. This is around 61* 30.5 cm and 30.5 cm tall. This size is usually for adult Syrian hamsters but is also advised to be used with dwarf hamsters.
Hamsters require big spaces to run around as they can sprint fast and often burrow. Always provide bigger sized cages that have a lot of floor space. If given a small space, hamsters can become irritable and jittery as they cannot run around. Having an even larger space is essential if you have two hamsters as they will be regularly hiding from each other, running away, and having personal space. If not, the hamsters will keep chewing the cage bars trying to get away or relieve the stress of being confined.
Hamsters teeth Are always growing.
Hamsters are rodents, and that means that their teeth will always be growing throughout their lifetime. They will need to file the teeth often. The solution to avoiding the hamster chewing on the cage is to provide chewing toys for them. The hamsters will have the urge to put their teeth on everything, and sometimes they will chew while other times, they will try the metal. At this stage, the teeth grow spurs giving the hamster an instinct to chew soothing. You can transfer the hamsters to a glass cage as they cannot chew on anything except toys.
The hamster could be anxious or stressed.
Stress and anxiety are common with hamsters, and they often hide and are alert all the time. This means that the hamster is highly susceptible to stress-related illness and therefore needs to relieve the stress. The hamster will tend to chew on any hard surface he will find, usually the cage bar. Regardless of the amounts of chew toys you provide, he will still find the cage bars interesting. Some reasons as to why the hamster develops stress and anxiety include;
- Getting scared too often
- Being bullied by another hamster cage mate
- Being in a new home
- Poor living conditions
To help the hamster avoid stress due to a cage mate’s bullying, you should separate the two hamsters.
The hamster needs attention or Is curious about something.
Hamsters tend to be extremely curious and want to know and try out everything. If they get scared about something, they will always try to investigate what it is. The hamsters listen to things and investigate as they are prey and want to know if predators are around. A pet hamster always dares to walk to the cage bar to find out by seeing, hearing, and smelling where the sound is coming from.
Sometimes, the hamster will demand attention, and if you are busy and did not notice him, it would be best to give him attention. However, it is advisable to keep distance if he is chattering teeth or looks agitated and jumpy. Do not touch him directly as a jumpy hamster and one chattering teeth Are not precisely playing. The burst of energy is difficult to deal with, and he can bite. It is best to indirectly play with him by putting a paper towel through the bars or a piece of cardboard.
Some hamsters develop a habit of chewing on cage bars.
Chewing on a cage bar is a bad habit that is hard to get rid of as it is addictive. Hamsters love the feel and sound that their teeth make on bars as much they make humans cringe. Making the hamster abandon what he loves is a difficult job, and the best job and the best way to overcome this is to get a cage that does not have any bars like a glass tank.
Blowing on the hamster, using citrus oil on the cage bars, or putting a paper towel on his nose does not work and will only make the hamster chew more, this time with a vengeance. If you have two hamsters in a cage, they tend to copy each other. If one of them starts biting on the cage bars, the other is likely to follow suit. If this is the case, you will need to separate the two or move them to a glass tank.
How to Make the Hamsters Stop Biting on The Cage Bars?
Stopping attention-seeking and boredom biting
Allow the hamster to play– let him freely roam around the house and in different rooms or a hamster proof room. A lot of physical exercises also help with reducing boredom for the hamster. Having an exercise ball is a perfect way to exercise hamster daily while protecting against household hazards. Ensure you supervise the hamster while playing and do not let him play in direct sunlight. The playing time should be in 15 minutes intervals.
Make sure to have a room that is hamster-proofed for the hamster to play. Eliminate electrical cords, so they do not chew and keep the play area enclosed. You can use a hamster ball to prevent the hamster from bumping into things he should not. A hamster wheel is also an excellent option for the hamster to run on. It is a fantastic way for the hamster to work out the extra energy. Avoid wire-framed hamster wheels as they could potentially harm the hamster.
Spend a lot of one-on-one time– hamsters are known to be social animals and demand to regularly spend time with humans. Providing the hamster with one-on-one attention, such as allowing him to run on the lap or holding him outside, is emotionally essential for him. This also prevents developing attention-seeking behavior. When getting the hamster out of his cage, use a scoop or a box as directly reaching out will make the hamster think you are invading his space.
Let the hamster sleep during the day– hamsters can be nocturnal animals; hence sleep during the day and be active during the night. Waking him up during the day can irritate him, and interrupting his sleeping schedule leads to undesirable behavior.
Get the hamster a bigger cage-it could be the hamster is bored with his environment and wants a bigger space to play in. the solution is to get him a more significant play area. The general rule of thumb is that a dwarf hamster requires at least one cubic foot space. With additional hamsters, you need more cubic feet of space.
Managing growing teeth
Give the hamster wood to chew on– since the hamster’s teeth keep growing all through their life; his constant chewing is sometimes not an attention-seeking behavior if he does not have a chew toy. Hamsters should chew daily to prevent the teeth from growing too long, which can cause pain and discomfort to the pet. You can give him untreated, oil and paint-free wood to chew on.
Avoid harvested wood that has not been appropriately inspected as it could harbor parasites or pesticides. It is also recommended to give apple or pear tree wood as they do not contain harmful oils and are less likely to threaten the hamster’s digestive or respiratory system. Cedarwood or pine is not advisable as the oil from these trees can be very toxic.
Give the hamster treats– hard biscuits make the best treats and alternative for hamster chew toys. Treats like this can be given once a week. Ensure the treats are garlic free as garlic is known to cause digestive issues in hamsters.
Give the hamster cardboard– a cardboard tube from a toilet roll does an excellent job as a chewing toy for the hamster. It is also a right hiding place for the hamster. Cut small holes in the toilet roll card box before giving it to the hamster. This motivated him to make new chew holes.
Take the hamster to the vet– a vet will trim the hamster’s teeth to a manageable length if the hamster does not respond by using chew toys. A trim by the vet is quick and does not cause any harm. It would be best if you did not try to trim yourself unless a vet gives you proper instructions and approves it.
Stopping chewing enjoyment.
Use a different cage– if the hamster keeps on chewing the cage bars, and you ruled out teeth growing, it would be best to transfer the hamster to a glass cage. Glass cages are easy to clean compared to plastic or metallic cages and require little repairs or replacements.
Provide alternatives– if the hamster is not intrigued with chewing wood, you can rub an apple or carrot on the wood. If he still does not respond, give him nuts to chew on.
Use a bite deterrent– when all options fail, you can consider bite deterrent spray on the cage’s bars. The spays taste bitter like lemon or olive oil and make the bars unwelcoming to the hamster. It would be best to spray the cage bars when the hamster is present as it is unpleasant. Take the hamster out of the cage and wait until the bars are dry before bringing him back.
Benefits of Owning a Hamster
- Hamsters do not live very long and, therefore, do not require long-term responsibility.
- Hamsters are very quiet and produce little noise other than sounds produced when moving in the cage.
- Hamsters are very active at night and early mornings and therefore are perfect if you work or at school during the day.
- Hamsters have tiny bodies and do not make the cages dirty very quickly compared to other pets. The cages are cleaned twice a week.
Issues to Consider When Getting A Hamster
- Hamsters can be affectionate but sometimes can bite. They need daily interaction to tame them and make them easy to be handled.
- If you want more than one hamster, you will require more than one cage. Keep in mind that many hamsters do not get along well, depending on their personalities.
- Hamsters are omnivores and feed on a wide range of diets, including vegetables, hay, insects, and fresh pellets.
- Hamsters should be kept inside the house and in secure cages.
- Hamsters are not the best pets for children as they require delicate handling to avoid escape or injury.
- Hamsters can harbor zoonotic diseases and should not be kept in homes where humans have immune system deficits.
The Bottom Line
It is normal to get surprised and annoyed when you find the hamster biting on the cage bar. They may be demanding some attention or are stressed out, or have extra energy to use. Provide him adequate chew toys, play with them before bed, or provide a hamster wheel. Chew toys ensure better oral health, and glass cages are a better option than plastic or metal cages. Vinegar should not be used directly as it can harm the hamster as it is too acidic.