Hideout suggestions

[Aadizmommy]

Hi all,

Our hamster, Emerald, is still getting adjusted to her new place, it's been about 2 weeks now. She seems to love her dark spot, behind and around her sandbox, and usually prefers us to feed her from there. She doesn't really us her ceramic hideout (unless my placing is wrong), but I am thinking of replacing is with possibly a wooden hideout, maybe a multi chamber kind where I can add some coco fiber on one side? I was thinking of placing this chamber where the more open side of the cage is so she feels a bit more comfortable coming out into the light? We also have a ladder she likes to use, and a cork branch all on the first floor. The upper floor is mainly for food, and another hideout (that she does not use). Trying to make her area more comfortable, and maybe see her a little more. Any suggestions on hideouts?

 

[Socks' Mum]

The multi chamber houses are usually very popular with hamsters. They like to nest in the very darkest chamber, usually as far away from the front of the cage as possible, where if is most secluded. Some hamsters make secret entry and exit tunnels down the side of the MCH, anticipating possible nest invasions and leading to other parts of the cage. I'm not sure if an MCH will help you see more of Emerald, but I think she will enjoy it. Being able to take the roof off to clean and check on hammy is a big advantage. Socks would tolerate his owner having a nose if he got a treat or two as consolation. He is in a smaller cage now as he is quite elderly and he lives in a shoe box house with one large chamber. He still tunnels actively though and his current cage allows for quite deep bedding. Maz will have some suggestions too I think. I think hamsters like burrowing into the bedding so a bottomless hide over deep bedding usually gets occupied and customised. Socks had a Quaker Oats cereal box at one stage until it fell to bits. He chewed the under side away and dug out a nest underneath it and lived in it for quite a while as his second nest

 

[Maz]

I'm sure she would love a multichamber house. Do you have a photo of her cage as there may be some other tweaks we can suggest

 

[Aadizmommy]

The multi chamber houses are usually very popular with hamsters. They like to nest in the very darkest chamber, usually as far away from the front of the cage as possible, where if is most secluded. Some hamsters make secret entry and exit tunnels down the side of the MCH, anticipating possible nest invasions and leading to other parts of the cage. I'm not sure if an MCH will help you see more of Emerald, but I think she will enjoy it. Being able to take the roof off to clean and check on hammy is a big advantage. Socks would tolerate his owner having a nose if he got a treat or two as consolation. He is in a smaller cage now as he is quite elderly and he lives in a shoe box house with one large chamber. He still tunnels actively though and his current cage allows for quite deep bedding. Maz will have some suggestions too I think. I think hamsters like burrowing into the bedding so a bottomless hide over deep bedding usually gets occupied and customised. Socks had a Quaker Oats cereal box at one stage until it fell to bits. He chewed the under side away and dug out a nest underneath it and lived in it for quite a while as his second nest

Thank you - Oh a Quaker Oats box is a nice size for tunnels and nesting!

 

[Aadizmommy]

I'm sure she would love a multichamber house. Do you have a photo of her cage as there may be some other tweaks we can suggest

I'll take a picture tonight and post - it is a Prevue 528.

 

[Aadizmommy]

 

[Maz]

It looks very nice. Is the ceramic hideout the one in the front left corner near the wheel? They tend to use things like that just to sit in to have a wash - or as a storage place for special treats (One of mine used to do that). Where is she nesting at the moment? Under the shelf? It might be an idea to replace the swing and the coloured bridge near the ceramic hide. The swing wouldn't be very stable and she probably won't use it, and if it's held up by chains, that's a bit of a risk for falling off and getting a foot caught. Although maybe it isn't chains and is solid metal?

The coloured bridge is ok as it's not too high up but again they can feel a bit unstable as their feet slip through the gaps. Although you could glue cardboard to the back of it so it's more like rungs on a solid ladder. Then you could maybe add something else in the middle (porridge oats box sounds good! I'm not sure there'd be room for a multiroom house unless you had the wheel at the back of the cage and the multiroom house at the wheel end, opposite the shelf. But probably best not to change things around too much.

One way of encouraging her out is maybe to use the ceramic hide near the wheel, as a place to put her daily veg - separate from the rest of the food on the shelf. then they get in the habit of crossing the cage to get the veg and get into a routine, and that can be a good time to offer a tube to walk into for some out of cage/taming time - either on the way to the veg or on the way back

 

[Aadizmommy]

View attachment 11972

Here's a picture of the cage

It looks very nice. Is the ceramic hideout the one in the front left corner near the wheel? They tend to use things like that just to sit in to have a wash - or as a storage place for special treats (One of mine used to do that). Where is she nesting at the moment? Under the shelf? It might be an idea to replace the swing and the coloured bridge near the ceramic hide. The swing wouldn't be very stable and she probably won't use it, and if it's held up by chains, that's a bit of a risk for falling off and getting a foot caught. Although maybe it isn't chains and is solid metal?

The coloured bridge is ok as it's not too high up but again they can feel a bit unstable as their feet slip through the gaps. Although you could glue cardboard to the back of it so it's more like rungs on a solid ladder. Then you could maybe add something else in the middle (porridge oats box sounds good! I'm not sure there'd be room for a multiroom house unless you had the wheel at the back of the cage and the multiroom house at the wheel end, opposite the shelf. But probably best not to change things around too much.

One way of encouraging her out is maybe to use the ceramic hide near the wheel, as a place to put her daily veg - separate from the rest of the food on the shelf. then they get in the habit of crossing the cage to get the veg and get into a routine, and that can be a good time to offer a tube to walk into for some out of cage/taming time - either on the way to the veg or on the way back

Hi Maz,
Thank you so much for your suggestions! Will work on baby steps as to not make to many changes at once. The ceramic hideout is next to the wheel, you are correct. She currently nests behind the sandbox, under the shelf. She does not use the swing, and I was thinking of taking that down. I can also get ride of the bridge, I have seen her walk on it cautiously. I can add a box in the middle! Ohhh... i think i understand regarding the tube walk for veges; very creative Maz thank you! She's been picky with us, only wants her treats thru the cage, but this change might get her to change her mind!

 

[Maz]

I think the ceramic hide is a good place to put her veg It'll get her out a bit and also encourage her to use the hide