Hamster loosing its fur?

[AshMashMash]

This is Luschka, she's a few months old.

She has a habit of chewing the wires of her cage non-stop. Obviously, we have tried loads of different environmental enrichment for her, basically, LOADS of things for her to chew, different foods, making her food hard to get, morio worms and crickets now and again etc etc.

The problem is, this constant chewing of the bars has now got to the stage that she has lost quite a bit of fur on the top of her nose, from rubbing, the silly girl.

So, any suggestions as to what I can do to stop this? I assume its nothing other than aesthetics on my part though, as she doesn't seem in pain at all, and is as happy as larry.

This is her cage:



And pics of her nose:

[Shadow_Eyed]

What about getting one of those plastic cages?

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Eyed

What about getting one of those plastic cages?

Hmm, they only come in smaller sizes dont they? Would be a shame to have to get rid of the nice set up she has at the mo. But yes, ta, its a possibility.

Some one else recommended giving her something harder to chew, like cuttlefish bone or wood blocks, so I might try that as well.

Open to all suggestions though

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by AshMashMash

This is Luschka, she's a few months old.

She has a habit of chewing the wires of her cage non-stop. Obviously, we have tried loads of different environmental enrichment for her, basically, LOADS of things for her to chew, different foods, making her food hard to get, morio worms and crickets now and again etc etc.

The problem is, this constant chewing of the bars has now got to the stage that she has lost quite a bit of fur on the top of her nose, from rubbing, the silly girl.

So, any suggestions as to what I can do to stop this? I assume its nothing other than aesthetics on my part though, as she doesn't seem in pain at all, and is as happy as larry.

This is her cage:



And pics of her nose:

I can't see anything to chew in there. They need to chew as their teeth grow continuously. I suggest something called a gnaw-a-cube which you can get from most pet shops. Its made out of pumice. My rats all used to have those in their cages.Also, pointers charcoal cobs, which are a very hard charcoal and cereal biscuit made for dogs, much harder than bonios and other dog biscuits. Also buy a small bag of kindling wood and give her one bit as and when required.Enrichment is not the same as providing hard material to keep her teeth from growing into the roof of her mouth.
RIDGEWAY GNAW A CUBE - FOR ALL GNAWING ANIMALS on eBay, also, Hamsters, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 15-Jun-08 00:16:49 BST)

[Shell195]

Also Fruit tree twigs are good too.Have you tried offering an odd mealworm etc

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by fenwoman

I can't see anything to chew in there. They need to chew as their teeth grow continuously. I suggest something called a gnaw-a-cube which you can get from most pet shops. Its made out of pumice. My rats all used to have those in their cages.Also, pointers charcoal cobs, which are a very hard charcoal and cereal biscuit made for dogs, much harder than bonios and other dog biscuits. Also buy a small bag of kindling wood and give her one bit as and when required.Enrichment is not the same as providing hard material to keep her teeth from growing into the roof of her mouth.
RIDGEWAY GNAW A CUBE - FOR ALL GNAWING ANIMALS on eBay, also, Hamsters, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 15-Jun-08 00:16:49 BST)

Well, sorry, that picture was taken about a year ago or something, when we first set it up. She is constantly going through things, soft things like cardboard boxes, and also different wooden things (like the thing in the back right corner there).

She has a similar thing to the gnaw-a-cube, on the left there, and has indeed had an exact gnaw-a-cube thing. She doesn't like either.

And, I did say, her teeth are a normal length, not too long.

I'll have a look about the charcoal cob things though, ta

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by Shell195

Also Fruit tree twigs are good too.Have you tried offering an odd mealworm etc

Yeh, but I live in london, where any plant outdoors is polluted! LOL.

And yes, she has morio's and crickets from time to time... turning into a proper little killer hamster she is :P lol

[Esfa]

It's the cluedo!!!!

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by Esfa

It's the cluedo!!!!

Cant be... we have a different game underneath now. Maybe she just doesn't like any board games?

[Esfa]

its the opposite! shes trying to get out the cage to play the board games

cruel owner, teasing her!