If you have a hamster, you’ve probably encountered them chewing their cage once or twice or a hundred times. It’s just something they do as part of their natural behavior. Now chewing on cages in the wild isn’t very common because hamsters aren’t caged up outside, but they’ll chew just about anything and when you put them an an enclosure, it immediately becomes a chew toy.
So the question then becomes: how do you get them to stop?
Maybe it’s the annoying noise, they could be hurting themselves, or they’re planning an elaborate escape attempt. For whatever reason you want them to stop, there are lots of ways to do that and in the following article we’re going to cover a wide range of the Internet’s most common questions when it comes to cage chewing.
But to make it easier, we have a handy table of contents that can direct you to each section in this article. Feel free to click any of the links below to be taken to that section.
And without further ado, let’s jump into the first question and find out whether it’s even okay that they’re chewing their cage.
My Hamster Won’t Stop Chewing Their Cage. Is This Okay?
Chewing is a natural behavior for hamster and they’ll chew just about anything in sight, including their cage. However, you should try to prevent this behavior since cages can develop sharp edges or may contain chemicals that are toxic to hamster and cause health issues.
It’s very common for hamsters to chew just about anything they can get their little teeth on, including their cages. However, cages can be worn down into sharp edges, especially if the cage is made of plastic or cheap metal. Sharp edges can lead to injuries, especially if they aren’t caught as soon as they start to develop an edge.
The other issue with your hamster chewing their cage is that the cage material may contain harmful chemicals that when ingested can cause health issues. These toxic materials may include paint or glue that is used to hold the cage together. Neither of which can be ingested safely and thus you should try to prevent your hamster from chewing their cage.
If you notice your hamster chewing their cage, you should first understand why they’re doing this and then develop ways to prevent it from happening in the future. So let’s jump into why your hamster chews on their cage.
Why is My Hamster Chewing on Their Cage?
Hamsters chew on their cage because they are either bored or looking for mental and physical stimulation. If you notice your hamster chewing on their cage, you should take steps to address the causes.
Hamsters will chew just about everything they have access too. From their water bottle, food bowl, plastic igloo, and their cage, nothing is safe from their tiny chompers. So it’s not necessarily a question of if a hamster will chew on everything they have access to, but when and what they’ll chew on.
Because hamsters are constantly active and curious, they require a lot of stimulation. That’s why you’ll see them running on their wheels, exploring tubes, and chewing on just about everything. So it’s not a matter of stopping them from chewing on what they have access to, but addressing the issue of their mental stimulation and potential boredom.
As we’ve discussed before, hamsters have a lot of interesting behaviors, but the most prevalent and obvious is their ADHD. They’re constantly looking for things to do and when they don’t have sufficient toys or activities, you’ll find them chewing on their cage.
So in the next section, let’s talk about how to stop a hamster from chewing on their cage.
How to Stop a Hamster from Chewing on a Metal Cage?
Hamsters will chew on their metal cage if they are bored and don’t have enough other toys to provide sufficient mental stimulation. So the way to prevent a hamster from chewing on their cage is to provide them with enough toys and activities to keep them busy.
As we’ve discussed, hamsters chew on their cage when they’re bored. And when they chew their metal cage, they can turn the bars into sharp edges or may ingest harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health issues.
The quickest way to prevent a hamster from chewing on a metal cage is to give them something else to do. Just keeping your hamster busy and interested in something else is more than enough to stop the negative activity.
Toys, tubes, wheels, and other items in their cage should be more than enough to give them something a little more appealing than a metal snack. If you’re thinking about hamster toys, you can use leftover toilet paper and paper towel rolls or specially designed chew toys for your furry friend.
Overall, the quickest way to stop a hamster from chewing their metal cage is to give them something else to do.
How to Stop a Hamster from Chewing on a Plastic Cage?
Hamsters chew on plastic cages because they’re bored so the most effective way to get them to stop is to give them something else to do, which can include toys, a hamster wheel, tubes or more.
Hamsters will chew on plastic cages, just like they’ll chew on metal cages. The only difference is that plastic cages may be easier for your hamster to turn into a sharp edge, which makes stopping this behavior even more important.
And just like metal cages, the way to stop a hamster from chewing on a plastic cage is the same; give your hamster something more stimulating to alleviate their boredom. Toys, tubing, wheels, cardboard rolls, or anything else should be enough to stop your hamster from chewing on their plastic cage.
Can a Hamster Chew Through a Metal Cage?
Yes, a hamster can eventually chew through a metal cage if the behavior isn’t stopped. Hamsters love chewing for stimulation and if they have nothing else to chew on, they’ll focus solely on their cage and eventually break through.
While it may be surprising to think that a hamster can chew through metal, hamster cages aren’t as sturdy as you may think. After all, most companies aren’t going to invest in reinforced steel to keep a hamster enclosed. And often times the bars are thin enough for your hamster to eventually get through.
But this really only happens when your hamster is exclusively chewing on their cage, which they shouldn’t be. As we’ve discussed, it’s not particularly healthy for your hamster to constantly chew on their cage. It can lead to health issues and there are better alternatives, such as chew toys, wheels, and cardboard tolls.
So while it is possible for your hamster to chew through their cage, you should give them toys and other types of stimulation to prevent that from happening. Because once a hamster chews through their cage, you’ll have bigger issues.
My Hamster Chews Their Cage All Night Long
If your hamster chews their cage all night long, it means they don’t have other ways of staying stimulated. To prevent this from happening, give them other types of toys specifically designed for chewing, such as cardboard rolls.
As we’ve discussed in other articles, hamsters are nocturnal, which means they are up all night and sleep during the day. And since chewing is a favorite activity, it’s not at all surprising that you may encounter your hamster chewing all night long.
But there are ways to prevent that from happening. Hamsters chew because they need stimulation and they chew their cage because they have nothing else to chew on. So to prevent them from chewing their cage all night long, give them other toys that will capture their attention.
Not to mention that chewing their cage can lead to health issues and injuries. So while it’s in your best interest to stop them from chewing their cage just to keep a full night’s sleep, you also want to ensure they are living a healthy, safe, and comfortable life in their enclosure.
So if your hamster is chewing their cage all night long, try giving them other toys or items to chew on.
Additional Reading
If you’re interested in reading more about hamster cages, behavior, and more, check out the following articles:
- Hamster Chew Toys – Amazon.com
- Best Place to Put a Hamster Cage – The Pet Property
- Everything You Need to Know About Hamster Bites – The Pet Property
Conclusion
And there you have it! Lots and possibly too many questions and answers regarding everything you need to know about your hamster’s cage chewing habits. While hamsters will often chew their cages, they do it because they’re bored and don’t have other outlets for stimulation.
To prevent this from happening, it is recommended that you get toys specifically designed for chewing or other types of stimulation, such as tubing or a wheel. Giving your hamster something else to do is the key to preventing them from chewing their cage.
However, we always recommend that you consult with a veterinarian. While we strive to provide the best and most accurate content, as do most other sites, only a trained veterinarian who has examined your hamster and specific situation can provide the most accurate, applicable, and timely advice.