Mr Nibbles Diary

[Amy]

Nibbles is in his playpen very happy with the new wheel, I highly recommend it. It’s great! He has eaten boiled egg for the first time. I got round to cleaning his bed, my hands stink of hamster pee even though I have washed them. the problem is: he doesn’t want to come out way past my bed time

 

[Maz]

You could maybe wear rubber gloves when cleaning out his pee area? I've done that before - only trouble is you can't feel very well with them on (ie feel which bits are wet). So I end up taking one of them off again! The smell on hands does wear off quite quickly. I can also smell the aroma on my clothes after doing it.

 

[Amy]

It took me a bit of encouraging to get him out today, but his bed stank quite bad. I put him back in his cage, but he wanted so bad to go back into the playpen, I gave in. Sleep is overestimated isn’t it?

 

[Amy]

You could maybe wear rubber gloves when cleaning out his pee area? I've done that before - only trouble is you can't feel very well with them on (ie feel which bits are wet). So I end up taking one of them off again! The smell on hands does wear off quite quickly. I can also smell the aroma on my clothes after doing it.

That’s what I thought, I can’t feel the wet…. He won’t come out of the playpen now. I am lying on the kitchen floor waiting for his energy to wear off

 

[Amy]

I have finally got him in the house! He is so hyoed up he keeps coming to the door begging for more. Maz can you explain this behaviour? He’s got a wheel in his house but he keeps coming to the door he’s furious that I put him back?

 

[Maz]

Do you mean back in his enclosure? They sometimes just want to be out whenever they see you but if you leave the room or go to bed they stop. How long was he out?

 

[Amy]

Do you mean back in his enclosure? They sometimes just want to be out whenever they see you but if you leave the room or go to bed they stop. How long was he out?

He was out for 1 1/2 hours. I switched the low light off and left the room, he’s in his wheel now. I was surprised that he didn’t want to go back into his cage. He kept running to the door and shaking it I felt so sorry for him, but I need to sleep and couldn’t leave him in the playpen. Thursday is a bank holiday so Wednesday night he can stay out longer. He loves that cheap China wheel

 

[Maz]

That's a fair time, but they often do want to be out longer or more than once. It's a taste of freedom. Once he's a bit tamer and used to or trained to walking into a tube or taxi if offered, then it'll be easier to take him back. They often do want to come straight out again! Their raison d'etre seems to always be able to go further - beyond the playpen, beyond the room - no space is ever big enough. So it's just normal behaviour really, then they settle back into a routine in the enclosure. He's just trying it on!

 

[Maz]

Raffy was the one I had who wanted to be out all the time. He started pestering as soon as he saw me, about 8 or 9pm. He would free roam. He would happily be out all the time if I had let him. He'd be out all evening and in those days I used to sit up late sometimes till 2am or 3am and he;d still be happily out and about and show no signs of wanting to go back. He "owned" the living room . Whereas Higgins gets bored very quickly in the playpen and wants to go back and starts trying to climb my leg when he's had enough. Then once back he wants out again. But I leave him as then it's usually Tino's turn. Higgins soon goes back into his routine.

 

[Amy]

They are amazing so small and can wrap us round their little paws I just checked he’s fine now. I was worried he would hurt himself climbing and jumping around his enclosure. I do hope he wants to come out tomorrow. It was sweet to see him enjoying himself in the playpen. I wish you all a good nights sleep

 

[Hamster Haven]

I may have to try that playpen set up for Pipsqueak soon, although she has still seemed a little bit "mid" on being given freedom. We had that playpen for Oaky, but I had to stop using it because she chewed multiple holes through the plastic at the base! She was a wild child. The play pen wasn't enough for her and I'd periodically put her in our bedroom and just keep an eye on her because I was afraid of her getting loose somewhere. I thought Pip, being our second girl, might be similar, but so far, it remains to be seen if she will be or not. Does the China wheel have a brand? I need a second wheel, too. Our old silent runner got sort of off after awhile/ mildly noisy/ off-kilter.

 

[Amy]

Good morning I will add the link, I bought it on Amazon. I am very surprised at how silent it is. Nibbles didn’t like the playpen without it. I also put a hemp mat down, he seemed to like that too. The playpen was also bought on Amazon and was cheap, but is very sturdy. It’s far more relaxing to have him in there than free roaming.

Amazon.de

 

[Amy]

I will add the link of the playpen too, I hope they can be helpful

Amazon.de

 

[Amy]

Pleased to say he’s not mad at me for cleaning his bed. He climbed on to my hand for treats this morning.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Pleased to say he’s not mad at me for cleaning his bed. He climbed on to my hand for treats this morning.

Aw, Nibbles the gent

 

[Socks' Mum]

Do you mean back in his enclosure? They sometimes just want to be out whenever they see you but if you leave the room or go to bed they stop. How long was he out?

Yes, he wants to hang out with you

 

[Amy]

Yes, he wants to hang out with you

It does seem to look like it
He really is a good natured little soul, very forgiving . I hate to have to clean his bed, but I am sure the ammonia smell is worse for him than the upset of me cleaning his soiled bed. I had a message this morning: the little black girl has found a good home, I am so happy to hear this.
I would hate for Nibbles to get jealous, I have the feeling he would be.
Nibbles sends his love to "aunty Socks" his very special friend

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you Nibbles, you are a very sweet boy Yes, having two Syrian hammies could be tricky. It's great that the little black female hammy has a home Yes, the ammonia isn't good. There is no soil or organisms or plants to absorb ammonia in captivity and the fumes are strong

 

[Amy]

Thank you Nibbles, you are a very sweet boy Yes, having two Syrian hammies could be tricky. It's great that the little black female hammy has a home Yes, the ammonia isn't good. There is no soil or organisms or plants to absorb ammonia in captivity and the fumes are strong

Thanks Socks Mum then my mum will have to clean my bed regularly 🫩 I can’t help it… I am so cosy and it just happens

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thanks Socks Mum then my mum will have to clean my bed regularly 🫩 I can’t help it… I am so cosy and it just happens

Don't feel bad Nibbles