Aria at risk, possible adoption.

[BrainGirl]

Can you order replacement glass shelves from Ikea and glue them to the ends? I'm so sorry you're going through this much frustration but I know how much lack of sleep and worry can take out of a person. Take care of yourself x

[kyrilliondaemon]

As far as mesh goes, we mesh the ends of our detolfs and have never had a problem. We cut the mesh carefully, staple it on carefully to make sure its flat and its always fine. We've put our clumsiest hamster in half a detolf with mesh over the end and even he's been safe in there. We've used one meshed detolf for over a year and it was definetly 100% safe for the hamster in it

[Pebbles82]

Goodness I'm not surprised you're at the end of your tether! You had that nightmare bloke to deal with before you moved, then a big move, then converting a detolf! (The latter of which would have finished me off). Your stress levels must be through the roof and probably all the upset from the old landlord was bottled up and is coming out. I'm so glad you've decided to keep Aria. This is just one of those house move situations where everyone is unsettled, including Aria. And she might be picking up on your stress too. So I suggest - don't fix the detolf right now. Just chill. Have some fun. As long as she can't actually get out, all she can chew is the mdf end bits. If you think she could chew her way out then yes do something temporary on the outside - some mesh over the ends. But otherwise - have a day off - or three - and do something fun - you'll feel re-energised in no time. Actually doing the detolf straight after a move was a big project and a hassle, but it's done and there will be a way round it. When you've had a breather I'd suggest getting two pieces of glass cut at a hardware store, the same size as the mdf ends and sticking them in with aquarium sealant stuff. She can't chew glass - and it may not cost that much. But for now - let her chew it and get out and about and have some fun. Is there a funfair nearby (a good scream works wonders!)

[Dalis_mum]

Sweetie, dont fret.

I was like this with Dali a few weeks ago. I had tried so many cage options and still she spent all her time trying to escape, chewing bars, paddling glass walls. I tried changing layouts every day or so and still trying to escape. She has copious amounts of toys, suitable wheel, supreme digging ability and still she spends time trying to get out.

I have simply had to accept that she doesn't care what I do, she just wants to be free, and I mean free, and running wild with the rats and the foxes. But as thats not an option she will just have to paddle and scratch and try and escape until the end of days as I am out of options!

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Thank you all so much. I feel so ashamed for thinking of giving her up. Although talking did help me figure out what was really going on underneath. Still, I'm not proud of it so I am sorry.

I'll be sure to take a break. My boyfriend should be home soon. I think we'll get some ice cream from a shop and pick up a couple movies. Later tonight I'll have some tea. Tea always helps to relax me.

I've also managed to sleep in till 1pm. Aria didn't make any noise I just heard her on her wodent wheel. No scratching or biting. I do think that her wheel might have gotten stuck when I placed the new lids on the detolf during the nights she was biting the wood. It was stuck last night. However I'm not 100% sure if this was a coincidence or not so we'll see. I will also be sure to cover up her detolf so she feels safer.

As for the detolf, I placed some plexiglass at the ends even though there is a bit of a gap. It's kinda a temporary solution but at the same time we want to see if that works. Meanwhile I'll prep mesh to have that ready at hand if the plexiglass doesn't work. Then I'll research around to see if I can find a glass cutter just in case. I do wish I could get extra shells but ikea wants one to replace the whole thing. I am supposed to go to my local ikea so I'll ask if the store happens to have extra.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support. Still, I am ashamed for breaking and for thinking that way.

[racinghamster]

So pleased to read that your understanding your frustrations Oatmeal_Cupcake. Our hamsters can drive us mad sometimes and I`m sure we all have a hamster now, or from the past that drove us to distraction! I`ve seen me going to bed and having to get up half way during the night because Chubs (that`s him in my avatar image) has decided to run like a loony in his silent spinner and make the whole cage rattle!

I recently had to make a wooden stand for his wheel as it wasn`t stable enough and kept tipping backwards or making things in the cage rattle and bang! It can be like a baby crying through the night and can be a drain. But there are all the positives hamsters bring that outweigh the negatives and for the sake of chewing parts of a cage or seeking attention, life is`nt all that bad.

Your Detolf looks fantastic and if you follow what soufflé suggested and cover part of it to make it feel darker during the daytime, this should help make Aria feel a bit safer. She does sound like a little nutter though!

[BrainGirl]

Please don't beat yourself up for thinking that way! I know I've been there occasionally, especially in the past year when it looked like my (and their) very survival might depend on rehoming my pets. It was awful and I felt so guilty. But guilt was not helpful in dealing with the problems causing me to think that way in the first place! Talking to someone who understands is the best way I've found and there are a lot of hammy lovers around here

Enjoy your night in and take a good deep breath x

[Dalis_mum]

Oh sweets. Don't feel guilty for considering rehoming... I was eyeing up pastry and stock in sainsbury's when I had only had 6 hours sleep over a whole week because of Dali! Lucky for her she is currently rolling around my basement in her ball not frozen in homemade casserole in my freezer!

[Pebbles82]

Don't feel guilty - you wouldn't believe the number of parents who seriously want to get their kids rehomed sometimes! Tea! I'm a teaholic - I must drink about 20 cups a day. Seriously, tea solves everything. If you want I'll send you some Taylors Yorkshire Gold tea bags from the Uk. They'll solve everything.

[Thin Lizzy]

You've nothing to be sorry about. There was a time with Twinkle when I felt so peeved of with her, that I thought about taking her back to the petshop, so glad I didn't, she's s little diva but, I love her to bits.