gnawing

Question
I have had my hamster for about 9 months and we put chewsticks in but then she started gnawing the bars and the plastic platform where her water and food are kept.When my sister and I try to take her out she bites.She sometimes squeals whilst gnawing her bars. We tryed leaving her alone but we can still hear her downstairs!
what is wrong with her?

Answer
There is nothing wrong with her.  She is just trying to find a way out of the cage.  Your hamster probably thinks she will be able to pry open the bars and escape.  If you are really concerned over this I recommend you try switching her over into an all glass terrarium.

if you place her in a terrarium you have to make sure of the following:

that her water bottle be high enough that she cannot climb on top of it.  That IF your hamster were to climb on top of the highest item in the tank she would not be able to reach the lid.

Hamsters kept in a wire cage, tend to bite the wire.
Hamsters kept in a plastic/wire cage, tend to bite the wires.
Hamsters kept in an 80% plastic enclosure, tend to bite the plastic with vents in it (making it bigger).
Hamsters kept in an all glass terrarium with secure wire top, tend to try and find a way to climb out or reach the lid to bite it.

Hamsters are escape artists, it is our responsibility to keep them from performing successfully.