Jas, the hamster formally known as Jasper

How about a cardboard box or plastic storage box? You may even have some at home.
 
Hank said:
There isn't a wheel in her playpen, just the saucer, I need to try to get one.
I was looking at dig boxes, do you have any suggestions of good ones, there are so many to choose from.
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I count the saucer as a wheel :-) If it's for the playpen. If she usually uses it she may just be having one of those unsettled days.
 
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It's hard to get a picture of the cage, top right you can see ladder up to the sputnik, she uses the ramp, but there is another hide under it. You can see the edge of the house, it's partly under the shelf. The cardboard in the middle was just where there was a treat hidden.
 
I have more sprays as well as but she ate the first one quite quickly, so I was a bit worried about adding too many. I also have another platform to add, but didn't want to change too much on one go
 
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I remember you saying you had another platform to add. It's looking good - although maybe a bit too much open space. It's tricky with the long ladder. I can see why she nests under the shelf as it's pretty enclosed under there, with the ladder. And with the shelf and wheel it doesn't leave a lot of space left for larger items perhaps. It might be an idea, as you thought - to tie something like a chill n chew mat to the bars - I would do it at the shelf end at the front perhaps - so it's a darker end and less exposed.

It think the bendy ladder from the shelf up to the bars, might make her feel insecure - it's quite a drop if she fell off. I tend to find they like things that go somewhere.

It might feel a bit exposed from above as well as it's quite a tall cage.

If it was me I'd put a multiroom house in at one end and the shelf at the other end, with the wheel in the middle and have something like a rat sputnik so it doesn't feel so exposed from above.

I think it maybe needs working out what to change and then do it all in one go when she's out of the cage at some point and then let her settle again after the changes. But off the top of my head I'd say more overhead cover and hidey places.
 
Thank you, that is very helpful. I have been mapping out some options, so really appreciate the advice. The bridge does lead to a sputnik, over the platform but I agree it is exposed.
 
Oh sorry - yes I couldn't quite see that properly :) Is that the rat sized sputnik? How much space is there between the wheel and shelf? It's hard to see. I think the shelf is about 35 cm (sides) isn't it? So with an approx 30cm wheel that would take up about 65cm of the 100cm length at the back. A multiroom house should just fit! Technically. Having said that, my shelf is only 25 cm deep and with the wheel next to it there is only about 3 inches clear space between the edge of the wheel and the labyrinth house.

I think the sputniks work better next to something solid - either partly over the shelf or next to a smaller shelf. It's actually really quite tricky working out access for things! The other shelf you bought, was it the trixie corner shelf?

You could maybe have the green shelf higher up (nearer the sputnik entrance height) then the ladder should stick out less far. And I would change the house. I can only just see the house but I think with those types they often do consider them not dark enough or big enough for a nest - but it can make a nice additional hidey place (or playpen toy).

I guess I tend to work my set ups around the house, shelf and wheel. And everything else just fits in around them.
 
It looks like it might be the hamster sized sputnik to me. I find they just hang too high - unless it's hung right over a high shelf.
 
Yes, it's a rat sputnik, which had to be carefully placed, which is why we added the ladder. She mainly hides under the ladder. I can move the wheel across there is space, it was just off centre in the previous cage, so we tried to keep it similar. The other shelf is the trixie corner one, yes.
I'll look for the multi chamber, then I can plan around as you say, house, shelf, wheel. Thanks again
 
Maz said:
It looks like it might be the hamster sized sputnik to me. I find they just hang too high - unless it's hung right over a high shelf.
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Sorry, posted before I saw this, it's over the shelf, she can get in from the shelf as well
 
Sorry! Couldn't see properly on the photo :). The first time I set up a hamster cage it took me about three goes to get it right! For the hamster that is. Since then I've always made a large house a fairly big priority as they all seem to like them. The multiroom houses aren't cheap - and then you need legs to support them underneath - however they can make an additional shelf area as well. In fact with a large mutlroom house and the trixie shelf, you might not even need the green shelf.
 
No need to apologise! It's always hard seeing things from photos. I added a bit more to my post above!
 
Meant to add - there is no need to go to the expense of a multiroom house if funds don't allow (after buying another cage!). A shoebox house is about the same size - and you can just put a bendy stick tunnel over the door which gives a tunnel entrance and then it's still dark inside (especially round the corner). It's basically just a large nesting box with compartments but even an open house would do with a litter tray in one corner. I've used both.
 
I did try to find a shoe box, but I really wasn't sure what was okay and what wasn't, as she chews a lot. I do have a few boxes, but didn't get brave enough. I've ordered a house today, not sure how long it will take to come though, just gives more planning time.
 
Hank, you are doing such a wonderful job with Jas. I can understand the feeling unsure and nervous as I am the same. Please feel free to ask as much as you want to on here as everybody wants to help.

With any boxes I use plain cardboard and nothing with prints on them. What kind of house did you order?
 
RainbowBrite said:
Hank, you are doing such a wonderful job with Jas. I can understand the feeling unsure and nervous as I am the same. Please feel free to ask as much as you want to on here as everybody wants to help.

With any boxes I use plain cardboard and nothing with prints on them. What kind of house did you order?
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Thank you😀
 
I've got a multi chamber one from Henry homes, I could order the stilts from that site as well, I believe I saw a recommendation on here for that site before
 
Hank said:
I've got a multi chamber one from Henry homes, I could order the stilts from that site as well, I believe I saw a recommendation on here for that site before
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I have the same MCH too! I love their stuff. I also use the stilts. A tip I found, when you lift the house up, the stilts fall off! Just to let you do not get the shock I did. :) My hamster loves that MCH and I put his water bottle and bowl on top of it.
 
RainbowBrite said:
I have the same MCH too! I love their stuff. I also use the stilts. A tip I found, when you lift the house up, the stilts fall off! Just to let you do not get the shock I did. :) My hamster loves that MCH and I put his water bottle and bowl on top of it.
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Thank you, I'll try to remember that!
 
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