R
RainbowBrite
Wow, that was so impressive!
M
Member ID2
I think he can easily climb all the stairs in one go. He got distracted by a noisy scene in a movie my OH was watching. Funny how they stop for a wash when they try to figure something out.
Human: let's have a cuppa and think
Hamster: let's have a wash and think
Human: let's have a cuppa and think
Hamster: let's have a wash and think
F
Frida
Albert: I can go all the way to the top but I do look behind me a few times to see if my mum is following me.
Can you climb back down the stairs Eric? I can
M
Member ID2
Eric: i've only been up the stairs twice so am still working on my technique.
Haven't tried going down as yet but there used to live a guy called Rory here who was a downthestairs speed racer.
Haven't tried going down as yet but there used to live a guy called Rory here who was a downthestairs speed racer.
M
Member ID2
Came home from work to this and his bottle was on the floor. Let me have a wash and think about this, Eric.
F
Frida
After having a wash myself.
I'm guessing Eric isn't happy about not being allowed out because you're at work.
Could you take Eric to work with you?
M
Member ID2
I think it's Eric i need to make a bin cage for until i figure out what kind of permanent cage would suit him best.
He's gone a bit mad, almost angry. Maybe a leftover from his past when he lived in a Pico.
He chucked his water bottle last night and rearranged his furniture. Not for the first time either. He used to pick up the spout of his bottle and bang it against the bars so i moved it. Then i monkeybar proofed the cage with plastic ladders from small cages and acrylic panels. Now he bangs the ladders on the bars. Tonight he went to the corner to shred cardboard and bite the bars even though his door was open. I tapped him lightly and he jumped round then carried on.
This is almost like learned behaviour to get attention when he probably didn't get any and it became a habit.
He wouldn't come out at this point so i left the room and he was in his jar washing when i came back.
Went upstairs to see Otto and when i came back Eric was climbing the bars and biting them to get my attention.
Eric is still in the Alaska but i think that he is a hamster who needs space. Had plans to get a Plaza but now i'm not sure that a barred cage is the right one for him.
I'm also wondering if i should move him from the Alaska into a bin cage to see what happens when he can't chew bars before i decide on a permanent cage.
I wonder if he would calm down like Eddie did or shred lots of cardboard like Maureen the shredder.
He's gone a bit mad, almost angry. Maybe a leftover from his past when he lived in a Pico.
He chucked his water bottle last night and rearranged his furniture. Not for the first time either. He used to pick up the spout of his bottle and bang it against the bars so i moved it. Then i monkeybar proofed the cage with plastic ladders from small cages and acrylic panels. Now he bangs the ladders on the bars. Tonight he went to the corner to shred cardboard and bite the bars even though his door was open. I tapped him lightly and he jumped round then carried on.
This is almost like learned behaviour to get attention when he probably didn't get any and it became a habit.
He wouldn't come out at this point so i left the room and he was in his jar washing when i came back.
Went upstairs to see Otto and when i came back Eric was climbing the bars and biting them to get my attention.
Eric is still in the Alaska but i think that he is a hamster who needs space. Had plans to get a Plaza but now i'm not sure that a barred cage is the right one for him.
I'm also wondering if i should move him from the Alaska into a bin cage to see what happens when he can't chew bars before i decide on a permanent cage.
I wonder if he would calm down like Eddie did or shred lots of cardboard like Maureen the shredder.
R
RainbowBrite
Oh no, I am sorry to hear this. I think your idea of trying a cage without bars is a good one. I wonder if some hamsters find bars stressful when they were kept in tiny cages and bar biting were there only enrichment. I may be completely wrong. Just a thought.
M
Member ID2
I'm thinking aloud again and don't expect people to come up with answer. Always interesting and often helpful to get other hamster peoples take on things though.
Eric is fine and has been racing around for a while. Now and again he comes to me, puts his paws on my legs and then runs off again.
Eric is fine and has been racing around for a while. Now and again he comes to me, puts his paws on my legs and then runs off again.
M
Member ID2
That's a pretty good thought though and you could well be right. Thank you.
R
RainbowBrite
Aw, that is adorable! It is like he is giving you a quick hug.
F
Frida
I think Eric has become very attached to you Beryl. Have you kept any kind of diary? Just wondering if there is any connections when you work over night and then the following night he gets anxious because he thinks you're not going to be there again.
M
Member ID2
That's another very valuable point.
He gets up earlier when i've been away for a night and so does Otto.
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He does sound very active. Only trouble with the idea of moving him to a bin cage is it would be hard to find one bigger than the Alaska. It might stop him chewing bars but might not stop the stress. And he could still monkey bar from the roof mesh. Personally I think it’s more about the space than the type of cage.
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I did a little digging on Amazon's UK page, and found the closest things I could to the bins we have here. I found one that's bigger than the savic plaza in all dimensions, and another that's more floor space but a mite shorter. The Amazon listing for the biggest one had the dimensions wrong, checked other vendors and it is really 160L . Hoping something works out, you take such good care of these hams!
160 L Bin - Amazon
160 L Bin - Argos
134 L Bin - Amazon
160 L Bin - Amazon
160 L Bin - Argos
134 L Bin - Amazon
M
Member ID2
Thank you ilguy. Yes, i've seen those. Thing is that i prefer a flat lid because it is easier to cut and mesh.
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Totally agreed, I saw that big one from B&Q you posted on Eddie's page and that looks fantastic!
M
Member ID2
The 145l rub is on offer and could be a possibility for Eddie if i decide to move him.
direct.asda.com
Really Useful Clear Storage Box - 145L | Home | George at ASDA
Ideal storage for sports equipment and other bulky items. Can be used for moving house or tidying toys or clothes away. Made from 100% recyclable plastic. T...
direct.asda.com
M
Member ID2
I'm trying to figure out the cause of his behaviour and don't think it's environmental but yes, he would benefit from more space.
The Alaska isn't that small. Henry, Rory, Rodney, Jack, Clive and Otto before i moved them to the Plaza, lived happily in Alaskas. They all except Otto bar chewed to let me know when they wanted out, some more than others. Clive was the biggest attention seeker and chewed and rattled the bars equally as much in the Plaza than when he was in the Alaska.
Yes, thinking about what Frida pointed out, he does seem anxious when i'm at work overnight and the evening after. His furnishings were intact this morning.
He may become more reassured as time goes on and he realizes that i'm always coming back. He quite enjoys a little cuddle now.