Mr Nibbles Diary

[Amy]

I don’t know were to put him when I get him out. I ordered a playpen but sent it back. It made a horrible sqeaky sound, I just knew he would hate it. I wonder if it’s best to put him on the sofa? It’s safe in my living room, he can’t get under anything and it’s a small room. There is a super soft carpet in front of the sofa, just in case he jumped off. It’s got to be interesting for him or he will not like it. A box or storage bin would irritate him. Any suggestions? I don’t have a bath… but the bathroom could be an option.

 

[Amy]

Oh well done, your patience has paid off. You must feel chuffed Ness

I am surprised but very happy. He did it so well. He didn’t try to jump out.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thanks to the corn on the cob, I now know where his food storage his

View attachment 13101

Mum's got a trick or two up her sleeve too

 

[Socks' Mum]

I don’t know were to put him when I get him out. I ordered a playpen but sent it back. It made a horrible sqeaky sound, I just knew he would hate it. I wonder if it’s best to put him on the sofa? It’s safe in my living room, he can’t get under anything and it’s a small room. There is a super soft carpet in front of the sofa, just in case he jumped off. It’s got to be interesting for him or he will not like it. A box or storage bin would irritate him. Any suggestions? I don’t have a bath… but the bathroom could be an option.

A lot of people use the sofa. Perhaps if you put some hidies here and there he will go into them if he gets spooked rather than running off the couch. You could put a couple of pillows in front of the couch just until you've seen how he goes. Very exciting

 

[Amy]

A lot of people use the sofa. Perhaps if you put some hidies here and there he will go into them if he gets spooked rather than running off the couch. You could put a couple of pillows in front of the couch just until you've seen how he goes. Very exciting

I have been trying to find a good option and came up with the idea to put a soft blanket on the kitchen floor in front of his house and make side barriers with cushions. If I sit in front I can control the situation. I will put his old house (familiar smell) some toys and a spinning wheel down along with a few treats. I hope he hops in the taxi tonight, I can’t stay up all hours, but I might be lucky

 

[Maz]

He will escape! Hamsters can climb over cushions and blankets. And jump off sofas. It does need to be somewhere hamsterproof so he can't escape, they can be jumpy and surprise you when they're not used to being out.

A playpen or bathtub will be better but if neither are an option, you'd need to create a hamsterproof area. Bathrooms tend to have holes in the floor where pipes go down, under sinks and baths/showers etc which can be an issue it they squeeze under something.

I have used the sofa, but only when the hamster has become handleable and I've sussed them out. The one time I had a hamster on the sofa that wasn't fully tame, he jumped off and escaped. Took 2 days to get him back again.

He would just climb over cushions or push under them, they can be surprisingly fast and suprisingly strong.

So it needs to either be a secure hamster-proofed area or a secure playpen. Good playpens aren't cheap though. I had a wood one that slots together at the sides for a long time, which was good, but a pain to put up and down. And now have the Omlet playpen - which is very easy to put up and down in 2 minutes!

 

[Amy]

Hey Maz, thank you for your advice I will practice with the jug inside his house today and tomorrow I will organise a decent playpen. I have an idea how I could diy one. I wondered why he kept poking his head out of his house just a minute ago… it’s not his time. Then I realised he did it every time i opened the fridge!! You were right, they soon know exactly how to tell you what they want

 

[Maz]

If you have a hallway area, some people use that. Ie close all doors and block any gaps under doors.

 

[Amy]

Actually the bathroom would be the best, I don’t have any pipes going into the floor, everything goes into the walls and is fully sealed. It’s very small and 100% breakout proof I will see how it goes and when he decides to wake up. I am up at five so I won’t have a late night… I will add a photo of the bathroom for you to check. He could go under the cupboards but it would be no problem to get him out.
The kitchen is also 100% breakout proof, but unfortunately very large. He couldn’t get under the cupboards there either. This flat is ideal for free roaming I do miss a bath though

 

[Amy]

I am now set up for summer, I ordered a ventilator and an extra timer, so it can start at 8 am instead of six when I leave. I definitely need one to keep the temperature down. So now instead of buying an expensive playpen, I have decided to make one myself. I will have to long ends and slide the side ends in (that’s the plan) so it can be stored easily. Today I checked through all the hamster goodies I dreamt of wood and flour lice… and threw the sprays alway which Nibbles had rudely rejected. I kept the flax… he likes those. It’s been a rainy day hear and rather cool, Nibbles has been up for his veggies and is munching them in bed. I am getting better at slicing up the fairy sized fruit and veggies and I manage to cut a hamster ear sized broccoli without it falling apart I added a picture of the tower fan, has anyone had experience with these? My neighbours have got one and they say it’s brilliant. I didn’t post the link from Amazon cause it’s a different country, but I am sure you get them in the UK too?

 

[Maz]

They both look fine if there’s a door you can shut. Abd even then they can try and squeeze under the door…. Could be good to have something blocking the bottom of the door. They can get through any gap bigger than 1cm. I’ve had hansters get their head under a smaller gap! Just check no holes on walls anywhete behind furniture.

Also I know what you mean - my skin was itching after reading about all the mites!

I haven’t seen a fan like that before - looks good.

 

[Socks' Mum]

The fan looks great. I need one to move out the warm air at the end of the day. I left one on all day last year and it blew a fuse, but if you have a timer that would be perfect.

 

[Amy]

Yes I thought about putting something in front of the door, I guess the bathroom would be best, the kitchen is too big. I don’t fancy running after him all night I was surprised the fan is quite affordable, unless it’s a Dyson but I haven’t even got one if those as a hairdryer. I still use my old foldable travelling one. At the moment all saving are eaten up by Nibbles

The fan looks great. I need one to move out the warm air at the end of the day. I left one on all day last year and it blew a fuse, but if you have a timer that would be perfect.

My neighbours bought one last year, I was amazed how good it works. If you like I will send the link from Amazon. And I will report how good it works, hopefully. Here in Germany it costs 79,- Euros.

 

[Amy]

Of course Nibbles didn´t get up until 10:00 pm. To keep the taxi training up I let him climb in the jug, lifted him up and gave him a treat. But it was too late for me to get him out of the cage.
He used to be up at around 8:00 pm but since he´s had his new house he seems to be getting up later (he does love his house).
This morning he was already in bed, but he got up looking for treats as soon as he heard the fridge door!! I gave him some seeds and a small piece of freeze dried pumpkin. He did look rather disappointed, but in future he will only get his veggies when he is fully awake or outside the cage.
I dont like the idea of him stacking them in his bed.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Yes I thought about putting something in front of the door, I guess the bathroom would be best, the kitchen is too big. I don’t fancy running after him all night I was surprised the fan is quite affordable, unless it’s a Dyson but I haven’t even got one if those as a hairdryer. I still use my old foldable travelling one. At the moment all saving are eaten up by Nibbles

My neighbours bought one last year, I was amazed how good it works. If you like I will send the link from Amazon. And I will report how good it works, hopefully. Here in Germany it costs 79,- Euros.

Thank you