Wierd Hamster

Question
Recently my hamster has begun filling her mouth full of all her food as soon as I fill up her bowl and hiding it in the bedding at the bottom of her cage, how can I tell when she needs more food? Why does she do this? Also she has begun pushing all her bedding to one corner of the cage and ignoring her plastic "dome-home" that she used to sleep in all the time, is something wrong? Plus, since I got her she has stuck her bottom out the caged and used the bath room on the counter rather than in her cage, is this normal? How can I get her to stop? Does her cage need to be bigger?  

Answer
Hi Maia,

Hamsters love to hoard their food.  You can't stop this because it's in their nature to do so.  Give your hamster about 2 tablespoons of food each day (or as directed on the back of the food package) and remove old food at least every 2 days.

As for her ignoring her plastic home, I wouldn't read too much into that.  Hamsters aren't always creatures of habit.  All of my hamsters have changed the location of their nests at one time or another.  There was never any reason for it - they just suddenly moved their nests.  However, if you have an all-plastic cage, your hamster may not be getting enough ventilation and that's why she wants an "airier" nest.  Drill small clean holes at the top of the cage to ensure more ventilation.  Or, if you have an aquarium, use a well-ventilated lid.

You can "potty-train" your hamster.  Buy unscented cat litter or hamster litter, and place it in a corner of the cage.  (You can also buy a hamster potty, but it isn't necessary.)  With a plastic spoon, scoop of some of your hamsters droppings, and bedding with urine on it, and place it in the litter to encourage her to use it.  Once she begins using the litter, change the litter at least every 2-3 days.

It is possible that your cage is too small.  Maybe you should look into buying a larger cage, or if you can, buy attachments so your hamster can burn off some energy.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly