Taming Lil diary

[CMB]

It could be something you can't sense. Noise, smell, a breeze etc. Young hamsters sometimes test things, by nibbling. My dwarf used to nibble quite a bit, but has been reduced the nibbling.

They can also have their off days. Hope it doesn't become worse.

[BethandLil]

Thanks CMB. Fingers crossed it won't become a regular thing/she'll grow out of it.

I also bought her a playpen, which I put her in for the first time last night.
She was only interested in trying to escape, which she managed within about 5 minutes! Luckily I had my hand there ready to catch her.

It was when she had just woken up so she was a ball of energy. I'll try again soon.

[CMB]

Which playpen did you get her? A solid sided one is best. Did she use something to climb on or just climb up and over the playpen side.

What did you have in the playpen for her to do?

[BethandLil]

Hey CMB,

I got this pets at home wire play pen - http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...nimal-play-pen

I got it cheap on ebay (unopened) so thought i'd give it a try but would happily upgrade to another. Do you have a suggestion?


I put her wheel, some chews, a bendy bridge, a ceramic pot, a long tube and climbing frame in with her.

She was just interested in skirting around all the edges, sniffing as she went, and then attempting to climb out.

[BethandLil]

(Just read all the reviews from the link above - wish I had seen them before my impulse buy )

[CMB]

Zoo plus has solid sided play pens. Serendipity has one for her hamster Newt. I think it is the Skyline Arizona.

I made the stylish diy playpen. The someone posted on you tube and in a thread on here. I like the fact it can be made bigger or smaller, depending on the hamsters preference. It folds up to, which saves space.

It has gaps in the corner of each panel, but these could be covered if Lil starts to chew them

I put tubes along the edges, and have things in corners to distract the hamster from digging or chewing.

Having Lil's wheel, sand bath/potty, hides, chew toys from her cage so that they are familiar may help.

[CMB]

Syrians find those playpens easy to climb over unfortunately. I wonder if the fact they can see out encourages them to escape.

[AprilPearl]

I have used that wire playpen from p@h and it is awful. Like you, it was an impulse buy for me. My previous hamster, Mushu, never escaped, but he did spend every moment in it chewing the bars and I had to hold down the side to stop him pulling it up. I also have the Skyline Arizona which I bought from Zooplus and it is awesome (that's the same one Serendipity has for Newt). Quigley loves it, it is very robust and I can't see him escaping, no bars to chew and it's big enough to sit inside so he can climb all over me.

Quigley has never even tried to escape the Arizona Ranch, though Mushu (my last hamster) spent every moment in the wire p@h pen trying to escape. Never thought about it before, but I think CMB may be right that being able to see out encourages escape attempts.

Skyline Ranch Arizona Indoor Run | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!

[BethandLil]

Brilliant! Thanks CMB and AP

I'll look into both and get something more suitable sorted asap

[BethandLil]

I've ordered some Vonhaus storage units to make a DIY playpen.
Thanks for the heads up CMB