Heeere's Kage - with a K

[Maz]

Sandpaper is bad for their feet unfortunately. The soles of hamsters feet are really sensitive and they can get this nasty condition called bumblefoot. Maybe you could stick cork in the bottom? You can buy cork strips. The rat tubes are designed for that and have ridges along the length

 

[Kage]

Thank you.

Changes the well known saying doesn't it? Like a hamster up a drainpipe

I said earlier I was going to do a bit of digging, looking for Kage on the pretext of spot cleaning. The cleaning went okay, but I haven't a clue where he is. I was sure he was in the wheel area. I couldn't find any sign of him. Who told him I was coming? I need to get that camera sorted

Kage doesn't simply hide away - he vanishes. He's the invisible hamster

 

[Kage]

Sandpaper is bad for their feet unfortunately. The soles of hamsters feet are really sensitive and they can get this nasty condition called bumblefoot. Maybe you could stick cork in the bottom? You can buy cork strips. The rat tubes are designed for that and have ridges along the length

Oh thanks for that I didn't realise. I have heard of bumblefoot. Nasty! Cork strips it is then

 

[Maz]

I had exactly the same with Tino. When I has to clear his cage once I had removed just about everything and most of the bedding and still no sign of him, no movement. Then I heard this annoyed sounding squawk and he sort of emerged looking cross - mind you I had woken him about 5pm which was a bit early for him. He was right near the bottom of the cage in the middle near the back - even though he seemed to disappear down a platform at the other end of the cage! So if that helps - Kage may be in the middle somewhere! They maybe have an entrance in one place but be sleeping somewhere else entirely. You have a lovely clear base on your cage as well - such a shame he didn't sleep near the front where you could see him!

 

[Socks' Mum]

They are very good at being well hidden and protected underground. Very smart animals

 

[Kage]

Looking forward to the pictures on the Eufy

I wouldn't hold your breath. Me and technology just don't go together

 

[Kage]

I woke up at 3am this morning for two reasons... the second one was to nip downstairs to check on the room temperature. That was fine - I do worry about it. I didn't go over to Kage's Kingdom, left him alone and went back to bed.

When I got up for the day I saw the cucumber I had put in at the far end of his royal carriage aka the coffee jar, had gone so I know he'd been right in. Funny thing is, I won't need it to taxi him back and forth now I'm going ahead with the latest idea, but it can stay where it is. I might even cover it with something and he can use it as an extra hideout, and I will always have another jar I can use as his carriage if I should ever have the need for one.

I did hear him shuffling about this morning. I'm sure he was in the left hand end of the enclosure and the latest extension. There is clear evidence he burrows in the left hand corner of that extension, though it could be a royal bluff. He's a crafty one is Kage.

As far I am concerned all is well. I'm happy to proceed with the platform for his playpen, and once it's ready, at night he can come and go as he pleases. It will take a few days. I haven't got everything I need yet, but it's on its way.

And all of this is making me feel better for not seeing him, making Kage's environment, hopefully, better for him. He deserves it. He didn't ask to come here, I wanted him

 

[Kage]

They are very good at being well hidden and protected underground. Very smart animals

Don't I know it! Not taking anything away from Kage and his species, but it doesn't take much to outsmart me

 

[Socks' Mum]

It sounds like he is an early riser. Perhaps try putting the veggies out early evening. Socks gets up briefly at about 7pm to pouch his veggies to take back to his nest. It's a nice chance to see him by light. Im sure Kage is appreciating his lovely home ❤ He is a lucky hamster!

 

[Kage]

It sounds like he is an early riser. Perhaps try putting the veggies out early evening. Socks gets up briefly at about 7pm to pouch his veggies to take back to his nest. It's a nice chance to see him by light. Im sure Kage is appreciating his lovely home ❤ He is a lucky hamster!

Kage an early riser? Not all. I could try tempting him out at that time, but I very much doubt he'll go for it. Kage tends not to get tempted out, but comes out when he's ready and not before. If I ever do see him out, I offer him something tasty and he will usually go for it then.

He's stubborn just like me. Offer me something nice and I'll wonder what do you want? Kage is pretty much the same I think. I'm fast reaching the conclusion Kage will do things on his terms, and his terms only. My cat, Chhaya was just the same. I've never been the boss in my own home - never!

As for him appreciating his home, my only wish is that he's contented and healthy.

And thanks for those final few words. I do my best, and my best is better with all the help and advice and encouragement I get for you all. Thank you to you all from me and His Fluffiness

 

[Maz]

This platform for his playpen - how is it going to work? Will it be between the cage and the playpen or will it be inside the playpen?

 

[Kage]

The platform will be for the playpen to stand on, right in front of the cage and as close as I can get it. It will be about 1 metre high, making it level with where the bars meet the Perspex.

The tunnel will be about 18 inches in length and will have a slight incline down to the playpen, but I will be putting some cork strips you suggested (instead of sandpaper) on the inside bottom to give Kage a better grip.

I'm putting hinges on the legs so they fold down and I can lean it against the wall during the day.

I'm putting some beading round the edges so the playpen doesn't slide off.

Basically it's a simple table.

If all goes according to how I want it to go, it should turn out well. I can just imagine what Kage would be thinking if he could. "All this just for me Serves the hooman right - he wanted me in the first place. He's going to all this trouble, I'm costing him a small fortune, and I won't even let him see me "

Me - .

 

[Maz]

That sounds like an idea. I had been thinking it would be lower than the cage - ie midway between the cage height and the floor. Then if he did manage to get out of the playpen somehow it’s not so far to fall?

 

[Maz]

Also wondering - if it’s not there all the time and the tube gets blocked off - he might give up using it? Or not notice when it’s open maybe. It could be a permanent fixture as long as the room is hamster proofed. Then he can come and go when he feels like it and know the access is there. Anyway these are just thoughts.

 

[Kage]

This is going to take some time. I want to get everything just right. The platform/table, whatever you want to call it will be secure - I'll make sure of that. The playpen will be secure. I will put a roof on it - I've seen some aluminium mesh on Ebay I like the look of. So Kage should be safe and secure.

Until I start, nothing is set in stone, but basically that's how it will be. Maybe I can make it lower. I did look at making it lower, but then the incline would be steeper and maybe a bit of a struggle for Kage. I'll see as it goes.

 

[Kage]

Also wondering - if it’s not there all the time and the tube gets blocked off - he might give up using it? Or not notice when it’s open maybe. It could be a permanent fixture as long as the room is hamster proofed. Then he can come and go when he feels like it and know the access is there. Anyway these are just thoughts.

I am thinking of putting it up for him all night for him after feeding time, then taking it down during the day, but I suppose it doesn't really matter it being there all the time, except I do need to get it out of the way at feeding time and cleaning time. It isn't really an issue, but yeah, all day, who knows? He might get adventurous during the day, or even just earlier at night. But feeding time is about 9pm each night anyway, and I prefer to clean around that time aswell.

Whether he comes out earlier or not won't be up to me, treats or not. I've already said he's a stubborn little beggar. He will do what he wants when he wants to do it. Bless him I can only do what I hope is best for him.

*And all thoughts and ideas are always welcome*

 

[Maz]

Oh good point - he'll be asleep during the day . I wouldn't worry about the angle if you have cork lining the bottom of the tube though Syrian hamsters can actually climb vertical tubes, although it's not ideal obviously. So any angle should be ok. They can run uphill really easily as long as it's not slippery. Those pipes are quite good and you can get corner pieces as well It sounds like a great project and I can't wait to see it!

Personally I wouldn't put mesh on top of a playpen, as you want to be able to interact while he's in the playpen. Eg offering food on your hand or starting with stroking on the back until he accepts touch. If a playpen is on the floor, people sometimes get into it as well with the hamster so the hamster just sees you as a piece of furniture and climbs all over you and they get familiar that way. Although your playpen might be a bit narrow for that as you'd be close to the edges and he might use you as a ramp to get over the top! Sitting next to a raised playpen would work as well. That;s what I do now as my knees don't like getting down at floor level any more!

As long as the playpen is secure and there is nothing close to the edges he can climb on, he won't be able to get out. Another thought was, once he's gone down a tube into the playpen you might want the tube to either be removable at that end or lift out of the way - or he might just run straight back up it again to hide from you. I use a normal rat tube as a taxi and if I leave it in the playpen they sometimes just sit in it. If it's not there, they do all sorts. So I always take it out of the playpen again and just offer it as a taxi again later.

 

[Kage]

To be honest, I'm not altogether expecting to see Kage when all this is done. If I do - great! but I'm thinking about times when I'm not there, in bed or where ever and a mesh roof on top would be more secure and far less escape proof.

The play play pen I have made is far too small for me, and in any case arthritis makes movement difficult and I'm clumsy enough anyway. If the time comes when I can put the play pen on the floor, I'll be able to get down - eventually - and play with him from the outside. Of course when I'm down, I have to get up again - ouch! That's all a long way off yet. For now, I'll get the platform made and take it one step at a time.

 

[Maz]

I'm sure once he gets into a playpen you can have interaction You might need to go to bed and get up again I sit on a chair next to the playpen or bathtub and reach in

 

[Kage]

I actually caught a glimpse of the elusive Kage last night - or more precisely 4 am this morning. When I wake in the middle of my sleep I go down stairs and check on the room temperature. I perhaps won't have the need to do that in the future, I'm just making sure.

Anyway, I switched on the lamp nearest to me and furthest away from Kage - it glows red - so that should be fine. I couldn't see him straight away so I stepped towards him and saw him walking out of the extension nearest to me into the Sovereign Suite - the corner house at that end. He'd obviously spotted me first

It was such a delight even to catch a glimpse of him even if he didn't want my company .

It's always a joy to me in the morning when I look in the enclosure and see he's had his treats. The glass jar I was going to use as his taxi - the royal carriage - he seems to be using to stash a small amount of food in now. So I guess that's a permanent fixture now. I gave him his first taste of porridge a couple of nights ago. It pleased me to see the bowl empty the next morning.

I ordered the materials I need to make the platform for his play pen this morning. I've been putting it off till tomorrow long enough now, and you know what they say about that - tomorrow never comes. Well it has - today! It'll be delivered some time tomorrow. I can get on with it then, but the speed I'm going till now he might get it for Christmas - 2026!

Maybe getting up in the night to try and see him is the way to go - that has been suggested before now. I won't give up the hope of seeing him more. Even to see him, if not interacting him, will be so much more than I have now. Which reminds me - I still have to set up the camera I'm nervous about doing that. I'm not very technically minded and I'm worried I'll do something wrong. Anyway, until I try...