Why Do Hamsters Bite Their Cage & How Can You Stop It?  

A hamster is an ideal pet if you don’t have too much space for a dog or cat. It is sweet and funny and you keep it in the cage most of the time so you wonder why does my hamster bite his cage?

Yet, sometimes they become very active and can have strange habits, like biting their cage.

In this article, we bring you advice on what to do when your hamster is biting its cage and all useful information on why do hamsters bite their cage.

Ideal Cage For A Hamster

A hamster is a furry and tiny animal that has to be kept in a cage if you want to hold it as a pet. The size and type of cage depend on the species of hamster and your preference or space you will keep it. For tiny hamsters, it is possible to choose smaller models if you will release them to play on the open space, but for bigger species try to find a bigger model. Yet, you need to know exactly how big should a dwarf hamster cage be to provide your hamster with comfortable living space. There are three main types of cages. The first is a regular wire cage that is made of steel or iron wires, usually with a plastic lid as a bottom. A plastic cage is usually used for trips and transport, but models with bigger holes can be good for keeping the hamster inside. The third option is to use a transparent aquarium model. Yet, the most important is to have a quality lid that is easy to remove and clean. Be sure that it is deep enough for sand where they adore hiding and playing. Also, the ideal cage must be easy to maintain and has enough space for its daily activities.

Need For Activity And Play

Hamsters may be very active animals and need enough activity to keep their level of energy full. But, it isn’t enough to fill their cage with toys to make them happy. There are specific conditions you need to satisfy. First, the hamster needs to have a spinning wheel. Some cages come with a wheel inside, but it should fit a hamster you have. Also, they need to have enough sand to dig and hide when they want to. To keep your pet mentally active and healthy, you can make many DIY toys and put them in a free corner. Those toys should have tunnels and holes for hiding to be interesting to them. Hide boxes are ideal for them to play and stay fit, but don’t use regular toys since they will use space and won`t be interesting to them. What is more, you can teach your hamster to go outside and play with him in a room. Be sure that during the outside play, the room is closed and safe for it. There are so many additional accessories, so things needed for the hamster will be upgraded through the years.

Why My Hamster Does Bites His Cage

Hamsters are full of energy, which you can hear when they roll a wheel during the night. Yet, sometimes they might act strange and change their behaviour. Sometimes, you may hear other noises and be sure to check on them if they change their behaviour. Yet, the most common noise is biting the cage. If you ever wonder why hamsters bite their cage, there are numerous reasons. The most common reasons are the psychological state of a hamster. If your hamster is feeling stressed or anxious, it might develop this behaviour. Usually, it is connected with moving and replacing the cage or in a new environment. Hamsters are used to big spaces to live in, so if you have adopted a wild hamster, it may develop anxiety due to small and limited space. Wrong food is a big problem that can cause stress and depression, so be sure that you feed them with hamster food. Don’t forget to give them treats occasionally, but choose healthy options like fruits and vegetables.

Hamster Biting Cage At Night

Biting a cage at night is very common if the hamster is depressed and bored. It is frequent in smaller cages and if they are always locked inside. During the dark period, they may develop depression and start biting cage to escape or just have more space for hiding and playing. Some hamsters might be even aggressive, so they behave themselves during your company, but start acting wild when you are gone. Biting a cage at night might be loud and wake you up, so you will easily notice changes in their behaviour. Also, it is usually a sign that your hamster has too much energy or that is emotionally unsatisfied.

Hamster Biting Cage During Day

There are several reasons why are hamsters biting cages during the day and it is mostly connected with food. You can easily hear it biting and it is like living with a noisy parrot. During the day, the hamster will notice movement in the room and become curious and more active. It is the perfect time to play with them and give them attention. If you just keep ignoring them, they might become wild and bite cages. Also, if they eat bad food, poor in minerals and nutrients, they might show you need for better nutrients in that way. Be sure that you regularly check if they have fresh water or food and feed them with quality and fresh food. From time to time treat them to show your care and love, but always keep the good balance not to spoil them.

The most important to know is that a hamster is a rodent and chewing is a natural behaviour. Sometimes, it will be just because of habit, so be sure to leave a rubber toy or wooden piece to use instead. Also, they are doing this in a period of teeth growth. What is more important, it is usually connected with the need to have healthy and sharp teeth, which will they naturally practice on wood in the natural habitat.

Danger Of Hamster Biting Their Cage

The sound of a hamster biting cage might be annoying for you, especially at night, but it can have some serious consequences. First, metal cages and bars might be dangerous for soft parts of their mouth and even teeth. They might lose a tooth or bleed if they bite strong. What is more, small particles of metal might be stuck in the mouth or they can even swallow them and have problems with eating or digestion. What is more, they can do more harm to teeth which can cause pain and problems while chewing, so they may start eating less.

Another problem is the possibility for them to escape. It is nearly impossible for a hamster to escape from a metal cage, but they can bite a hole in plastic bars. This can be very dangerous if you hold a bigger hamster. Not only for escaping, but plastic cages might be dangerous because of the small plastic bits they may swallow. Also, it is important to notice a problem and react on time to prevent future damage.

How To Stop Hamster Biting Cage

If your hamster has an annoying habit of biting a cage, there are some solutions. First, you need to detect why they are doing it. Solving problems are moods and emotional states, which mean you should spend more time playing inside the cage and ensure mentally challenging games in the cage while you are absent. Stop their boredom with interesting toys and make sure they have enough attention when more people are in the room. Another thing is to take more care about their diet and food. Be sure that they always have something to chew and bite, but also that it is completely natural and good for them.

The hamster should be free from the cage at least twice or three times a week. It is important to keep them in a secured room without any wires or electronic devices. If you are afraid they will escape, you can close them in a hamster ball. It is a transparent and light ball in which they are closed but can run freely wherever they want.

Hamsters are usually nocturnal animals and more active during the nighttime. Of course, you want to spend time with them during the day, but sometimes it is good to leave them to sleep during the day. They will feel better and become more active in the evening.

If you have tried all options and nothing helped, you can still buy a transparent glass cage to prevent any possibility of biting.