Settling in time

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 02:16 AM

For those who have ever had or currently have a robo, I am just wondering how long your robo took to settle in. How long did it take before they felt comfortable in their cage.

I am asking this as Orko does not use all his cage. I was wondering if it was a matter of time for him to settle in or if I should get a smaller cage. All his items are quite big so I would not know how to fit them in a smaller cage.

Ria P · 08-03-2022, 03:02 AM

How do you know that Orko doesn't use the whole cage underground and why do you think he's not comfortable and settled in his habitat?
Going by the videos you post, Orko looks very happy to me.

Hamsters have favourite things and may ignore others but can get upset when we take something out.

My dwarf Ozzy felt nervous in a larger cage but i could tell by his behaviour. He'd rush from shelter to shelter to get to a favoured wheel but was happier in a HH with the wheel much closer to his nest.

With Robos it can be very hard to tell when they feel settled because many of them prefer to do their own thing anyway.
I'd say they need 2-3 months to settle in and build up confidence. Like with all hamsters, personality plays a big part.

What are your expectations of a Robo? If you'd want a hamster to interact with, handle and spend time outside the cage with, a Robo wouldn't be the best choice.

Don't get me wrong, i know how much you love Orko and how well you care for him but i'm wondering why you are considering getting a smaller cage.
What would you hope this would achieve?

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 03:08 AM

The reason I say that is I put some seeds on the other side of his cage and 3 days later they are still untouched. I also do not see him using the full cage watching the videos. It is really nice you feel Orko looks happy from his videos.

It is interesting you could tell Ozzy felt nervous by him rushing from shelter to shelter. Orko does not do this at all.

My expectations for a robo is for them to feel happy and secure. For them to feel content in their cage. The reason I thought of the smaller cage is in case he is not comfortable in this one. I just wondered as he only uses part of it.

Ria P · 08-03-2022, 04:42 AM

Thing is that as long as there are no obvious signs that he feels uncomfortable in a large cage like i observed with Ozzy, a move into a smaller cage wouldn't be necessary and only upset Orko.

It's like a person living in a large house even though they only use part of the house but refuse to move because it is their home where they feel comfortable in. My mother is a prime example of that.

If you feel that Orko would be happier in a smaller home then you still have the option of putting in a devider and use the unused part as his storage facility.

If he has an underground tunnel system which could also include a nest or hoard, in the part you believe he doesn't use, then you are in trouble and could be faced with an angry and upset Robo.

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 04:45 AM

Thank you for explaining this. You have reassured me that Orko is happy. I just want to do my best to ensure he is happy and this is all new to me so I am not sure what to look out for. I can see by his behaviour he is happy and he really loves his new wheel.

Just to say, I am not making any changes to Orko's cage. I just wanted to make sure he was okay. I am very bad at explaining myself and expressing things and often do not convey what I am trying to. I love him so much and just want to make him happy. I really appreciate the advise and support.

LunaTheHamster1 · 08-03-2022, 05:15 AM

I think it took me forever to finally get a cage setup that I could tell Comet my robo felt more relaxed and at home in. My Star Wars setup for him in the living world eco habitat is my favourite for him as I just felt it was the happiest he had been in any of his cages/setups.

I feel like i got the coverage right for him. I have lots of places for him to dart into and hide or run through if he wants to. he can run around on the surface of the bedding in and out of things and under things, but also on another level, from the hide in his sandbath, across a bridge to his cork log, to the top of his millennium falcon hide to a bridge and his ewok tree platform.

If Orko isn't using a part of his cage, try mixing things up a bit, so he has a bit more overhead cover.

If it was me I wouldn't be looking at a smaller cage.

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

I think it took me forever to finally get a cage setup that I could tell Comet my robo felt more relaxed and at home in. My Star Wars setup for him in the living world eco habitat is my favourite for him as I just felt it was the happiest he had been in any of his cages/setups.

I feel like i got the coverage right for him. I have lots of places for him to dart into and hide or run through if he wants to. he can run around on the surface of the bedding in and out of things and under things, but also on another level, from the hide in his sandbath, across a bridge to his cork log, to the top of his millennium falcon hide to a bridge and his ewok tree platform.

If Orko isn't using a part of his cage, try mixing things up a bit, so he has a bit more overhead cover.

If it was me I wouldn't be looking at a smaller cage.

Thank you Cosmic. I was looking at Comet's set up again earlier this morning. It looks fantastic. When you look at my set up do you have any suggestions?

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 05:30 AM

This is Orko's set up.

LunaTheHamster1 · 08-03-2022, 06:22 AM

Which part of the cage do you think he is not using?

Have you tried a little hide on top of his grey slab- if the hide has an open bottom the slab still works as a slab

other than that all the stuff you have in front of the wheel, can you arrange so it's all closer together? and then you might need to fill the gaps with some other items, but recycling cardboard comes in handy. Or just fill the existing gaps and don;t move anyting.

Attached a pic of Comets cage from above to give you an idea, everything seems pushed closer together in his cage and I just have little cardboard tunnels dotted about near his food, water and hides.

Comets cage from above forum.jpg

cloudy · 08-03-2022, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

Which part of the cage do you think he is not using?

Have you tried a little hide on top of his grey slab- if the hide has an open bottom the slab still works as a slab

other than that all the stuff you have in front of the wheel, can you arrange so it's all closer together? and then you might need to fill the gaps with some other items, but recycling cardboard comes in handy. Or just fill the existing gaps and don;t move anyting.

Attached a pic of Comets cage from above to give you an idea, everything seems pushed closer together in his cage and I just have little cardboard tunnels dotted about near his food, water and hides.

Attachment 53503

He is not using the very end which is the opposite of his wheel. Great idea to use a hide over the slab. I never thought of that. I will add one.

I really appreciate your picture and ideas. So far Orko does not like anything seagrass but hopefully he will be okay with cardboard. Thank you so much.