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01-25-2020, 02:57 PM
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#1
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 92
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Introduce new toys in free roaming time?
Hi! MY bin cage is going to be completed on the 5th of feb, so should I start introducing the new toys to him now or should I keep them to give him something new to explore once he gets into the new cage?
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01-25-2020, 04:59 PM
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#2
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Hamster Antics
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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Re: Introduce new toys in free roaming time?
Are you moving him from one cage to the bin cage? If so I would put some of the new toys straight in the bin cage, leaving space to move across his existing stuff from his old cage. A cage move can be quite stressful for them, so when moving him across, move all his old substrate,house, wheel, any toys etc across as well without cleaning anything - it'll be fine left for another couple of weeks. If the bin cage is bigger it'll need more substrate, so you can put new substrate in it first, plus the new toys - then on moving day, spread the old substrate on top of the new and try and put his existing items in similar layout as before - eg house front right, wheel back left and so on.
One thing I always do before a cage change is a gradual transition - I think it helps them settle in much quicker. So the day before you plan to move him you could pop him in the bin cage with the new substrate and the new toys and let him explore and have a play. You could also add an existing favourite toy from his old cage in there - and put it back in the old cage again afterwards. If he freaks out then put him back in his old cage and try again later or leave it till next day and put everything back a day. Second time in there he will probably be more relaxed and interested and explore. Scatter the odd bit of food for him to find as well.
Anyway assuming he doesn't freak out the first time and enjoys spending some time in the bin and exploring, then put him back in his old cage overnight. Then next day move everything over and move him into the bin cage.
That's how I would do it. It's less cold turkey.
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01-25-2020, 05:00 PM
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#3
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Hamster Antics
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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Re: Introduce new toys in free roaming time?
Another thing is - I think once you move them into the bin cage it's a good idea to take the old cage out of the room. I found our first syrian got a bit upset at his old cage still being there, and even after it had gone used to kind of look for it a bit.
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01-25-2020, 05:26 PM
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#4
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 92
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Re: Introduce new toys in free roaming time?
This bin cage is so bigger than his old one, I could probably fit his entire cage into it, is that an idea? Or is it just unnecessary? I've introduced his new freestanding wheel already (8") and i'll keep everything from his old cage apart from the cardboard things once they are destroyed enough lol. He loves exploring things so I think the method you suggested Serendipity would probably work amazing for him, although space may be an issue it's only for a day or two so it should be okay!
Ps. He loves the mazes of tubes I give him but he also likes burrowing, would a labyrinth house be worthwhile looking into? Or do toilet roll tubes attached to eachother work just as well?
Also, I will be putting the old cage into the loft as I can see it being a good travel cage but it's too small to be a main cage (I know that now)
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01-26-2020, 02:18 AM
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#5
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Hamster Antics
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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Re: Introduce new toys in free roaming time?
I like labyrinth houses but they’re not necessary. A shoebox house is just as good. Or something big enough for them to build a huge nest and have a litter tray inside in one corner. Putting the old cage base (without the cage top) into the new one is also an option. It does mean some rearrangement of the cage when you remove the old base a couple of days later. I prefer the adjustment day ![](https://www.hamstercentral.com/community/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif) . If space is an issue the hamster could be introduced to the new cage in a different room maybe. Then when moving him over have the new cage in the main room and take the other one away so you‘s only ever have one cage in the room.
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