My Hamster Keeps Biting the Water Tube

Hamsters like to chew -- it's instinct. They're hardwired to chew on things keep their teeth strong. However, this can become a problem when your hamster begins to chew on the wrong things in its environment. Chewing on the cage or biting the water tube is common hamster behavior, but it can lead to unnecessary expense if you have to constantly replace the cage and water tube. A few tips and tricks can prevent your hamster from chewing on water tubes.

  1. Water Tube Position

    • A water bottle with a tube attached is a better method for supplying your hamster with water than a water bowl. Water bowls can be tipped over or dirtied, while a water bottle with a tube keeps the water fresh. However, a hamster may bite the water tube if too much is exposed. Hang the water bottle outside the cage with just the tip of the water tube poking inside. Leave just enough inside so that your hamster can drink, but not bite.

    Exercise

    • Hamsters need entertainment, and may resort to unwanted chewing or biting if they are bored. Make sure that your hamster is provided with opportunities to play and exercise inside the cage. Exercise wheels allow hamsters to run off excess energy. Tubes mimic the way hamsters burrow in the wild. Plastic hamster balls allow hamsters to explore the world outside their cages. Providing your hamster with any of these methods of exercise and entertainment may solve the unwanted biting problem.

    Chew Toys

    • Hamsters need to bite and chew. Provide your hamster with plenty of opportunities to chew safely. Rub wooden chew toys made for hamsters with bits of carrot, nuts or other hamster-safe foods to add flavor and make them more appealing. A simple wood block provides a large surface for your hamster to chew without damaging its cage or water bottle.

    Creative Solutions

    • Traditional chew toys may not interest your pet hamster, especially if it's used to chewing on a cage or water tube. If your hamster likes to chew its metal cage, provide a different metal object, such as an old spoon, for it to chew on. In addition, empty toilet paper rolls can serve as non-traditional chew toys that your hamster can shred and add to its bedding. Other safe materials for hamsters to bite, chew and shred are hay, newspaper and paper towels.