Yummy and Bin cages

[Piebald]

Ah she may be feeling insecure or threatened. She's blocking off what she thinks is a vulnerable approach. She is trying to be sure her area is secure and she can guard it. She probably needs some adjusting time to the intruder. Maybe leave her up top for a bit in the smaller space and just give her play time below until she feels secure again?

[BluerayDarkes]

I might try that, thank you.

[BluerayDarkes]

Yummy is still burying her tunnel but she is also starting to look like she has issues climbing up, I was thinking maybe of getting her Maxi Duna Multy as a detolf would really be too big for our house. I want to make sure she still has enough room for her Trixie wheel and all her toys, while technically downsizing her from her two storey bin cage to a Maxi.

Also I have been wondering if hamsters who have been spayed age faster, I have looked all over the internet but no one seems to have answer to that.

[Thin Lizzy]

I just saw the video of Yummy climbing her tunnel and it's so cute!
About her burying her tunnel, might it have something to do with the wire that she has to walk on?

[Piebald]

That's very thoughtful of you How old is she now? I wouldn't think spaying would age a hamster faster-- just the opposite actually. If you get a Maxi Duna you can try using a bendy bridge sideways to create a "zone" with deeper substrate and still fit in the wheel. Kisses for Yummy xx

[BluerayDarkes]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

I just saw the video of Yummy climbing her tunnel and it's so cute!
About her burying her tunnel, might it have something to do with the wire that she has to walk on?

Piebald said before it might be because she feels threatened, at one point she stopped burying it and actually made a mound around her nest instead. Then she went back to burying then tunnel and every time she wants to go up she has to dig it out, I've pretty much just let her get on with it now. No point arguing with a tort xD

Originally Posted by Piebald

That's very thoughtful of you How old is she now? I wouldn't think spaying would age a hamster faster-- just the opposite actually. If you get a Maxi Duna you can try using a bendy bridge sideways to create a "zone" with deeper substrate and still fit in the wheel. Kisses for Yummy xx

I'm really unsure on her age I could have sworn she was about six months old when we got her due to her size, but she hasn't grown a single inch since we got her and has remained small. Occasionally I've seen her go up the tunnel and she's struggled at the top, this has happened recently so the issue is new. I think this struggling at the top is what is putting her off going up more often, which is why I've been thinking on a cage change for her. Something that has the space she needs but also fits in our house, then I don't know what to do with the bin cages when she won't be in them. No where to store them to prevent me filling them with another hamster xD We have our hands full with four!

[BluerayDarkes]

Update on the bin cages! We have had to cut a new hole in one of the cages, use the plastic of that hole to block one up. Its taped on the outside with aquarium sealant on the inside, its black so it looks messy but also hoping she won't bother to chew it. The two bin cages she has are side to side connected by two pieces of PVC pipe, then the outside of the pipe pieces are taped together to prevent her pushing them apart.

With all that work done I put her in to the clean cages and she's been running between the two, the tunnel is working a treat and she seems to be happier. So much easier for her to get between the two now. Due to the new set up she has had to be moved to the living room, so she is also away from the three dwarves and that might help with making her feel more secure too.

I'll put up a picture of it later and show the tunnel too, tired right now xD

[BluerayDarkes]

[Piebald]

Oh great! I bet she is very happy with it.

[BluerayDarkes]

I went to check in on her and she literally rushed up the mesh to get out for cuddles o.o