[Chesterspal]

Wanted to do an update on my male syrian hamster. Was having some concerns as he stopped using his wheel late last year and in general was not as active.

Things are now much improved so thought I'd share a few things I've done.

First, did a very thorough cleaning of his enclosure. Removed him (got bit in the process) to another smaller enclosure so I could remove everything and clean thorougly.

Re-arranged a few details when I "rebuilt" the enclosure for him. I added a curved steel mesh under the bedding so he had a rather spacious room underneath to move around in. You cannot see it in this picture as it is covered by bedding. He has two ways of getting down there. One you can see in the top left, the other down a 3" PVC pipe, not visible in this image.



I added a small area (hollowed out log) where I could place treats for him when he was up and about.

I removed the long stretch of 3" clear tubing I had made for him as a run and replaced it with a shorter section.

Back in December I set up a hydroponics growing system in my home right next to his enclosure, as it turned out. Started growing various kinds of lettuce... mainly for myself, but also to share with him.... if he'd eat it.



That has worked out great !

He loves getting his fresh, organic lettuce every night and he eats every bit of it.

His nightly activity has steadily increased over these past weeks and months. As you can see from the counter I have on his wheel, he is doing many thousands of spins every evening. He was not doing any at all for a long time.



Glad to see things are getting back to normal and maybe evening improving.

BTW: The amount on the counter works out to 2.5 miles in a single evening.