Raphael (Raffy's) Adventures - Page 16

Ria P · 08-13-2022, 02:54 AM

I think that Raffy is trying to tell you that a playpen is not enough for any self respecting hamster, lol.

Now that he knows that there is another world to explore on the other side he won't stop trying....not that hamsters ever give up trying.

Pebbles82 · 08-13-2022, 03:51 AM

True. I do think it’s that he hadn’t been out of the cage for a week as well - while we were on holiday. Maybe he thought I wasn’t coming back - he’s gone very independent.

Ria P · 08-13-2022, 05:44 AM

Independent as in ignoring you?

Pebbles82 · 08-13-2022, 07:51 AM

A bit. Haven't had enough chance to see if he was ignoring me exactly but I also haven't had much chance to give him much attention since we got back. Had a little hello chat on Thursday night and had him out in the playpen but didn't interact with him much. Friday night still not very organised getting back. So if he is ignoring me it's because he feels ignored I think.

But also think if you don't keep up that interaction ongoing, they do turn into "independent hamster".

Could be he was trying to get my attention by escaping as well.

Ria P · 08-13-2022, 09:16 AM

That is so very true.
I'm in a similar situation trying to sort something so poor Rodney isn't too upset but at the same time trying to keep the others happy as well. I was so late with the fresh food last night because of all the extra precausionary cleaning.

Pebbles82 · 08-13-2022, 04:59 PM

I thought Raffy looked a bit bigger again and he's grown again. Now 167g (I think he was 157 to 160 last time) so a good healthy weight. I wonder if he still has more growing to do. A big increase since March when he was 97g. I will check again in a few days though as I had the scales on a book that wasn't very big and had a ridge in it (ie not completely flat all round) so it's possible that was incorrect. It seemed stable enough though.

Ria P · 08-13-2022, 11:41 PM

I don't really know at what age hamsters stop growing but they can certainly get heavier.

What a difference though, going from 97g to a healthy 167g.

Pebbles82 · 08-14-2022, 06:57 AM

It is isn't it. Initially I was told he was a very small hamster and not a baby. But I reckon he was still partly a baby and still had some growing to do but also just hadn't thrived.

Ria P · 08-14-2022, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It is isn't it. Initially I was told he was a very small hamster and not a baby. But I reckon he was still partly a baby and still had some growing to do but also just hadn't thrived.

It is almost impossible to put an exact age on rescue hamsters. People who don't care about their hamsters and want rid of them say whatever comes into their heads.

I was upset when Betsy died and thought she was way too young at 16 months. Then i recalled that Betsy had been literally handed to me, the woman had to ask her kids what the hamster's name was and very quickly said 6 months when i asked her age.

Raffy could have been younger than what the rescue was told. He's definitely thrived since he's been with you.

Pebbles82 · 08-14-2022, 07:55 AM

Last night I gave him a bit more attention. Tried him on the sofa for a bit before the playpen. He seemed a bit apprehensive about coming out of the tube onto me. Half in and out like a yoyo. Eventually he came round and explored a bit. Because he's scared of hands it's not too difficult to stop him jumping off (famous last words) as you just put your hand at the edge and he avoids it.

Last night though, when he was at the far end of the sofa he looked like he was thinking of jumping off and I couldn't reach to put my hand there so went to pick him up instead. He wriggled and looked horrified and threatened to bite but didn't. But then plonked him on my arm sort of enclosed against my body and stroked him and he actually sat there for a minute or two - so that was a bit of progress.

He was fine in the playpen again after that. Must hamsterproof the room again though so I can let him free roam a bit. Although he is smaller than our other hamsters and I worry he could get into areas others couldn't! Pickle surprised me by getting his head under a filing cabinet, which is a tiny gap. So a lot of gap stuffing to do (the wall the other side of the filing cabinet is iffy and might have gaps at the skirting board and it's too heavy to shift).