Jas, the hamster formally known as Jasper

[Member ID2]

Aw. So the Pringles tubes reminded him?

No, he likes Pringles but i rarely buy them now because there is no Gertie.

 

[Hank]

Hi all, random question, how much is too much chewing. I just let Jas out and she was just constantly chewing, cardboard mainly, but chew sticks and toys as well? For about 15 mins, I put her back in her cage. She didn't really want to get in the taxi. She wasn't bothered about being stroked and even let me pick her up, so wasn't being vicious. Should I be worried?

 

[RainbowBrite]

It sounds to me like she was exploring and having fun. I would not be worried. If she is in season then perhaps this was some nice entertainment for her too.

 

[Hank]

Thanks, I haven't seen her do that before. I gave her a bit of coconut, I thought her teeth might be annoying her, she liked it.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, that sounds like a lovely treat for Jas. Eating seed mix will also wear down her teeth. Chewing cardboard is a nice bit of stimulation for her.

It is so lovely to hear how comfortable she is now with you and your partner.

 

[Hank]

I do think she is more comfortable now. Just need to find more stuff for her to do, I think I need to make more treat parcels

 

[RainbowBrite]

That is a great idea. Cardboard items are so much fun for hamsters.

 

[Maz]

Sounds like she was just having one of those crazy "chew everything" nights Or maybe she associates cardboard with treats now! Glad she liked the coconut.

 

[Maz]

Or could she be on heat?

 

[Hank]

Someone had a little unplanned free roam yesterday. I let her out on my lap, we've been doing that for a while and she's been quite happy, but yesterday she decided it wasn't enough space. I had a pillow on one side and we were in her playpen room and she managed to get over my arm to the pillow, so when that happened before, I just kept her on the pillow, but no that wasn't enough either. She had a little wander, tried to chew the foam around the radiator pipe, was a little confused about being on the wrong side of the play pen, then got in her taxi.
She's so funny, happy to climb over you when it suits her, but when I tried to scoop her up, to stop the chewing, she backed away, at least she stopped chewing

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, Jas is so settled now. Sounds like she enjoyed her unplanned free roam.

 

[Member ID2]

Yep, things have to happen on hamster terms. I wonder what Jas made of the other side of the playpen, now that she knows there's more.

 

[Maz]

Aw that's lovely She sounds a bit cautious about "the other side of the playpen" but then they get more confident and are off - usually trying to find a way out of the room! I think they still home back to the playpen area though, if there's a wheel in there.

 

[Riven]

Sometime the unplanned free roams are the best. Sounds like Jas had a lovely time exploring. I wouldn't worry about the chewing too much. They explore a lot with their mouth anyway. Jas sounds to be settling in well and growing in confidence. Before long you may need a bigger play pen!

 

[Hank]

I am thinking of something different for the playpen, does anyone use a soil dig box? We let her have another little wander today, not for long, she does seem much calmer than when we have let her out before. It was me and my OH and she was walking from one lap to the other, which was quite entertaining.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I have used coco fibre in a dig box.

 

[Member ID2]

I have used a soil dig box before in the freeroaming area. The hamsters only dig when there is something to dig for like food. They seem to like the beech chips digbox best. I struggled with the coco soil because it was either too damp or bone dry so gave up on it and got cork granules instead.

 

[Hank]

Any suggestions on what brands to buy? I'm happy to try what works well, just thought a change might be good.

 

[Member ID2]

I think the coco soil was proRep or Komodo. The beech chips are also proRep and the cork granules Critter's Choice. I don't think there's much of a difference between the brands. I get them in a reptile shop.

 

[Hank]

I think the coco soil was proRep or Komodo. The beech chips are also proRep and the cork granules Critter's Choice. I don't think there's much of a difference between the brands. I get them in a reptile shop.

Thank you