How to Stop Your Hamster from Chewing on the Bars of a Cage

Hamsters are very fun animals to have as pets. Compared to a dog or cat, they require very little maintenance and are much cheaper in the long run. Many humans have formed close and loving bonds with their pet hamsters, and the cute face of a hamster can make just about anyone smile. While hamsters are great companion animals, they can make a surprising amount of noise in their cage. I often hear my pet hamster running on his wheel at 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. While I can learn to live with the noise of a hamster wheel, the sound of my hamster chewing on the bars of his cage is a bit more troublesome.

It turns out that cage chewing is a common problem that hamster owners need to deal with. Not only does chewing on the bars of a cage make a lot of noise, but hamsters who chew on their cages too much can actually suffer from permanent brain damage. Unfortunately, this isn't the easiest problem to deal with and there are no "one-size-fits-all" solutions. First and foremost, if you notice your hamster chewing on the bars of his or her cage, make sure your hamster has plenty of good gnawing materials available. Hamsters need to chew in order to grind down their teeth which keep growing their whole lives, and will do just about anything to fulfill this gnawing instinct. Sticks, small pieces of wood, card board, and dog biscuits are all good items to give your hamster to chew on. Many hamster owners find that their hamsters stop chewing on the bars of their cages once they are provided ample other materials to chew.

If you find your hamster is still chewing on the bars of the cage, some play time out of the cage may help. Many hamsters will chew on their cages out of boredom, so taking your hamster out of the cage and allowing him to run around in a play pen or hamster ball may help alleviate the problem. Some owners have found they can stop the chewing by spraying a bitter spray (available at most pet stores) on the bars of the cage. If despite following these tips you are still having problems with your hamster chewing on the bars of their cage, it may be time to invest in an all-plastic cage with no bars for the hamster to chew on. By following these simple steps, you can keep your hamster happy and healthy while allowing you to get some peace and quiet when you're in bed.