Hamster routine

Question
Hi, I hope you can help. I have had a syrian hamster for about 6 months and about one month ago I upgraded to a larger cage (Hamster Heaven by savic) which she loves! The problem I have is that she does not get up until 11pm at night which is too late for me to then put her in her ball/playpen. I appreciate that she is nocturnal but it would be good if she would get up around 9pm instead. Is there anything I can do to wake her up - I have tried making noise/putting food in to the cage but this does not seem to work. Also, she chews the bars of the cage (particularly if she does not get out in her ball) even though there are things for her to chew in the cage - is there anything I can do to stop her doing this?

Answer
Hi Sonya

I think you need to persevere with changing her body clock.  Try waking her when you get home in the evening - I usually try to get mine to rally at around 7pm.  Some ignore me, others come out and see what is happening.  They can learn quite quickly so once she gets into the routine it should be easy.  She is obviously very comfortable and settled, but this isn't ideal for you.  If you tap the side of her cage and call her name, then do this again a few minutes later if there is no sign.  I tend not to give them food if they rally at this time but instead get them straight out for handling so they get used to the idea.  If you give her food too early in the evening when she has first awoken she will want to eat it or head into her nest with it.  When she has been out for a good run around then she should get her evening meal of fresh vegetables and treats.

Regarding the bar chewing - it is difficult to snap them out of this.  Make sure she has plenty of hard things to chew - if you don't think her food is providing this you can always give her dog biscuits as well, or wooden chews (specially sold for pets so they are safe) and see if this helps at all.

I hope you get on OK.

Regards
Sheila