Hamster won’t leave his new hideout! :(

[jodiemay]

I have had Phil for around 6 months now. I decided around a month ago to buy him a bigger cage as he was showing signs of boredom- so I bought him the hamster heaven cage. He has been so much happier in his new home- never bar chewing, exercising more in his wheel, and is much more active playing with the toys in his cage.

However, this week he suddenly decided to not sleep in his little hut anymore and move up in the little lookout which is accessed via tubes. He has started storing food there, and has just been sitting in there the past few days. He has been awake in the daytimes and hasn’t bothered to take any of his bedding. I decided to put some bedding in there for him, perhaps he couldn’t sleep in the day without it, but he is still awake almost all day sitting with his food.

I’m really worried about little Phil as he has been fine since he moved in but is suddenly acting very strange. Any ideas why he has decided to move into the tower? It isn’t really an ideal bed- not cozy at all and very bright in the daylight as it’s translucent. Should I use the tube blockers to stop him getting up there? .

Sorry- I’m new to this forum so I apologise if this is long winded/ in the wrong place. Appreciate any replies!!

[cypher]

I would just remove the penthouse & tubes & block everything off so you just have the basic cage, the penthouse & tubes cause endless problems & are best left off really.
He may be a bit upset for a day or so after you remove it but should settle soon enough.
Not sure what may have caused the sudden change unless you're in the UK & he found it cooler up there when it's been so hot.

[Coco61]

I agree with cypher. I have the HH cage in use with a young hamster for taming with the big front door. Later he is likely to move into my bigger barney cage. I do not use anything of the penthouse or shelves or slippery ladders that came with the cage. Even the wheel is a bit small. Creating your own interior is easy and more fun.

[jodiemay]

Originally Posted by Coco61

I agree with cypher. I have the HH cage in use with a young hamster for taming with the big front door. Later he is likely to move into my bigger barney cage. I do not use anything of the penthouse or shelves or slippery ladders that came with the cage. Even the wheel is a bit small. Creating your own interior is easy and more fun.

Thanks, I have taken off the tubes and added a few things inside instead and he is now back in his old house and is behaving much more like himself.

[Pebbles82]

Excellent - better than being stuck up in the penthouse The tubes just lead to abnormal behaviours as it's instinctive for them to block off the entrance to their house. So when they nest in the penthouse they tend to block up the tubes.