How to Stop a Hamster From Biting the Cage

Born with fully developed, continuously growing teeth, hamsters tend to gnaw on objects, such as their cage's bars, to wear their teeth down. Instead of allowing a hamster to use the cage to grind its teeth, you should provide an alternative, according to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Even if it seems that your pet prefers to chew on the bars of its cage, you can entice it to use other, more appropriate objects to satisfy its need to gnaw. Your hamster might also chew on the bars out of boredom. To combat this, ensure that your rodent pal receives enough opportunity for exercise.

Things You'll Need

  • Unpainted, untreated twig
  • Flavored wood chews
  • Toilet paper tube
  • Treats or food
  • Exercise wheel or ball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an unpainted, untreated twig in your hamster's cage for gnawing purposes. You can snap a twig off of a fruit tree--but avoid evergreen trees, such as cedar.

    • 2

      Purchase flavored wood chews designed for rodents, and place one or two in your hamster's cage. Sometimes, hamsters who won't chew on an unflavored piece of wood will take a liking to one that is flavored. These type of chews can be purchased at a pet store that sells hamster supplies.

    • 3

      Place a few pieces of your hamster's favorite food or treats into an empty toilet paper tube. Fold over the ends of the tube to close it and keep the food or treats inside. Place the tube your pet's cage. The hamster will likely chew on the tube to get to the food.

    • 4

      Install an exercise wheel inside you hamster's cage, or buy an exercise ball and put your hamster in it for 15 minutes each day. Both of these options will help your pet get the exercise it needs to burn extra energy.