Raffy (Syrian Hamster)

[Frida]

Perhaps Raffy went upstairs to investigate. After all Maz you've been up there for about 2 weeks.

Raffy - so what's up here that's better than me

 

[RainbowBrite]

Raffy is very clever to have managed to get up the stairs! I can imagine you were so surprised to find him. He sounds full of beans. I wonder if he will start to get up a little earlier so he can stay out longer.

 

[Member ID2]

Blocking stairs at the top may be easier than bottom of the stairs.
Here OH attached those on both sides and cut a panel of wood to size to slide in.

 

[Member ID2]

Maybe he wanted to know where you've been all this time or followed your scent.

Or maybe he was just being a typical hamster. Another place to explore so let's go for it and give mum a fright at the same time.

 

[Maz]

Beryl and Frida - I hadn't thought of that! He wanted to go where I was! He will have been aware I was in the house for that couple of weeks, if upstairs, because plenty of calling down now and then. And normally he used to home back to my feet and hover round them when he was out of the cage. So maybe a combination of both. He found a way out of the room but also he wanted to go where I went! He could well have followed my scent because otherwise, why our bedroom? And not the other bedroom or the bathroom?

Rainbow - yes he is very clever And very sneaky!

Blocking off the top of the stairs sounds a good idea Beryl although I don't really want him going up them at all as there's open type bannisters either side and if he climbed over that he could fall from a height. But blocking off the bottom would mean blocking off the whole of one end of the room. Which would basically mean - playpen only! Or another room. The other downstairs room is more modern and hamsterproof (but not very big - he'd get bored quickly).

Poor Raffy - he must think I've left him and moved out. Right so a change is needed somehow - the old routine isn't working for either of us any more!

 

[RainbowBrite]

How cute Raffy went to your bedroom as your scent was there. Aww, so precious.

 

[Maz]

Decided to block the bottom stair last night so he can't climb them. As I did it, I remembered this is what I used to do with Newt. We have some of those melamine lap cushion trays - I put those up on the bottom step. The cushion holds them secure at an angle and there is no way a hamster can scale a slippery melamine tray. And made sure there were no gaps round the edge where he could get a hold. So Raffy had normal free roaming time last night. I also had him on the sofa a couple of times to handle/stroke him a bit and he was slightly skittier than usual and didn't want to sit for a stroke whatsoever and seemed a bit stressed. I think he thought I had left him and is a bit averse to getting close to me again, but hopefully that will come back over time. He still hovers around my feet. So I will give him as much attention as I can at night for a while.

 

[elusive]

Those trays are a great idea, the things you have to think up when you have a hamster!
Glad to hear Raffy was able to enjoy his usual free roam, they are a bit off with us when we leave them for a while, I remember when I was in hospital for just a few days & none of the hamsters were talking to me when I came home but they soon got over it & I’m sure Raffy will too.

 

[Maz]

Thank you Elusive. Raffy had already lost one family when he came to me and it took a long time for him to trust me. So I hope that trust can quickly be renewed.

 

[elusive]

He’s formed a very strong bond with you since then, he did climb the stairs looking for you too! I doubt you need worry, try not to anyway.

 

[Member ID2]

I can only second what elusive said above.

You worked hard to establish that bond. It's too strong to get broken.

 

[Frida]

Sounds like Raffy is going to milk it for a few days to make sure you get the message not to do it again. I think Raffy climbing the stairs was proof of his love for you

 

[Maz]

Thank you Frida!

 

[Zara]

I agree, you have such a strong bond, I’m sure he’ll come round in a few days, if not sooner. It’s amazing how he’s climbed the stairs, clever boy, I reckon he was following your scent too, bless him. Good to hear your feeling much better

 

[Maz]

I still have the cracked ribs which are still painful! Sigh. It's very restricting.

 

[Zara]

Yes, it must be. They will take some time to heal as well I'm guessing. Take care.

 

[Maz]

Raffy got upstairs again last night! And I have no idea how. I am sure he couldn't possibly have scaled the long melamine trays! He was out free roaming after OH had gone to bed. I wanted to go to bed and thought it was a bit quiet so went looking for him and had that feeling he wasn't in the room. The barrier to the kitchen was in place and the barrier to the stairs was in place so I thought he must be hiding. So I was walking round calling his name and OH heard me and called down and said - he's up here! He was in the bedroom with OH.

So it looks like I need a better barrier for the stairs but I still can't work out how he went up a vertical slippery slope!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Wow, I would love to know how Raffy is getting upstairs. Maybe you could point the hamster camera towards the stairs and you can find out.

 

[Maz]

Good idea Rainbow! He has been very sneaky. One minute he was there running around - then he was gone.

 

[elusive]

He’s a cheeky little man! Very determined too, is there any way he could have squeezed through a gap?
The camera is a great idea, look forward to seeing that1