If you were like me, then you probably grew up in a house with pets. While most people live with dogs and cats, there are lots of animals that make great pets. Furthermore, there are some families that love small rodents. One example is a hamster.
At the same time, hamsters are small, so some people might be wondering if they can put multiple hamsters together. I remember when I had a hamster, the vet cautioned us not to put that hamster with other hamsters.
On the other hand, I felt like that hamster was lonely and needed a playmate. Therefore, many people are wondering, are hamsters good with other hamsters? There are a few important points to keep in mind.
There are lots of different hamsters out there and some are good with other hamsters while others are not. Therefore, it is important to take a closer look at which hamsters are going to work well with each other.
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Analyzing Hamster Social Behavior
There are certain circumstances in which hamsters can be housed with other hamsters. For example, certain breeds need to be introduced very carefully to each other.
They might even become close companions. At the same time, putting the wrong breeds together can spark a civil war in the cage. This could end with an ugly battle, which is better left unresolved.
Therefore, it is important for anyone who wants to introduce hamsters to each other to be prepared to spend several days introducing them, watching them, and ensuring one hamster does not kill the other. This will make sure the hamsters are safe to be left unattended.
Now, let’s take a closer look at a few specific species of hamsters.
Syrian Hamsters
Later, I found out that the hamster I had when I was younger with a Syrian hamster. A Syrian hamster is one of the most popular types of hamsters. It is commonly called a teddy bear hamster or a golden hamster.
This is a breed of hamster that is slightly bigger than other hamsters. As a result, it is usually a solitary, territorial creature. If you ever see Syrian hamsters in the pet stores, you will realize that these hamsters tend to be kept in cages by themselves.
Even though it is fine to keep a bunch of Syrian hamsters together in separate cages, they really do not like to share their space. When they are found in the wild, Syrian hamsters usually have their own sleeping quarters. Therefore, in captivity, they also need to have plenty of space.
If you have a Syrian hamster, it is important to keep it alone. Do not place a Syrian hamster in a cage with other types of hamsters. Otherwise, a battle will ensue.
Syrian hamsters are larger, so they usually win these battles, but it would be a waste for Syrian hamsters to end up killing your other pets. Be sure to keep Syrian hamsters separated from other rodents. It needs its own cage.
Dwarf Hamsters
The other popular type of hamster that many people keep as pets is called a dwarf hamster. This hamster is also called a Russian hamster or a Chinese hamster.
These are tiny, mild-mannered pets that are usually about two to three inches in length. In contrast to the Syrian hamster, a dwarf hamster is very social. As a result, a dwarf hamster will usually get along well with other hamsters.
At the same time, it is important not to just drop them in the cage and leave them alone. They need to be introduced properly. Ideally, dwarf hamsters should be housed with hamsters of the same gender.
If you put male and female dwarf hamsters together, they are going to breed rapidly. You might wake up one morning and realize that you had a couple of dozen babies in the cage.
Then, you might be wondering what to do next. Therefore, it is important to introduce dwarf hamsters to other hamsters slowly and keep them with hamsters of the same gender. There are a few important tips that you should follow.
Do the Introductions
Similar to people meeting for the first time, it is important to give them time to socialize with each other first. The trick to getting dwarf hamsters to like each other is to let them become familiar with the other hamster’s scent.
Particularly if hamsters come from separate litters, it is a good idea to introduce them slowly. If you introduce two adult hamsters together, this is going to take some time and patience.
It is usually a good idea to buy a cage with two separate sections. Then, create a divider that is present in the center of the cage. Put a hamster on each side and let them cross over a few times per day.
Leave them alone for a few minutes as you watch them. Then, move them back to their appropriate size. This will help them become accustomed to each other gradually.
Tips for Increasing Hamster Socialization
There are a few tips that you should follow to increase the success rate of hamster socialization. Even the dwarf hamsters tend to get along with other hamsters, it is important to be patient and introduce them properly. Some of the tips to keep in mind include:
- Introduce Them While Young: Even though it is possible to get to adult hamsters to get along well, it is a good idea to introduce hamsters to each other when they are young. The best success rates of hamster socialization occur when a hamster comes from the same litter. Hamsters that have been brought up together are going to be familiar with the sense of their littermates already. As a result, the success rate is going to be higher. If you cannot adopt hamsters that come from the same nest, is a good idea to introduce them starting at around 7 to 8 weeks of age. Older hamsters tend to take longer to become accustomed to other hamsters.
- Have a Large Cage: Most battles between hamsters that start with disputes over cage space therefore, it is a good idea to buy a large cage. Even hamsters who like each other are going to have a hard time getting along if the cage is too small. The same is true of people if they are crammed into tight quarters of people they like. Eventually, arguments are going to ensue. Hamsters are the same way. Therefore, it is a good idea to purchase a cage that is large enough for multiple hamsters. For help figuring out which size cage the appropriate, it is a good idea to ask for help from a vet or a professional at the pet store.
- Have Multiple Feeding Areas: It is also a good idea to set up multiple feeding areas in the cage. Remember that hamsters a very possessive about their food. Therefore, each hamster should have a place where he or she can eat his or her own food. Hamsters know that they should stay away from the food of other hamsters. Therefore, you simply need to make it clear where each hamster supposed to eat. This will also prevent hamsters are fighting over food bowls and water bottles.
- Remember the Genders: As alluded to above, it is critically important to make sure that only hamsters of the same species are housed together. If males and females are allowed to intermingle, they are going to breed quickly. This could end up with a couple of dozen babies in the cage. Furthermore, some hamsters like to eat their babies under certain circumstances. To avoid this disaster from ensuing, make sure that hamsters that are housed together are of the same species. If you are unsure of which gender the answers are, be sure to ask the store to clarify before adopting them.
- Watch the Hamsters Carefully: Even if you think the hamsters are going to get along well, and even if they have known each other for a long time, it is important to keep an eye on their behavior from time to time. It is not unusual for hamsters that have known each other for years to suddenly become grumpy and irritable. If this happens, then you will need to separate the hamsters. If you find that there is one hamster that is harassing the others, rehome that hamster in a separate cage for a week or two. Then, you can reintroduce the other hamsters on neutral ground
These are a few of the most important points that you should follow in order to help your hamsters get along. Remember that not all species of hamsters are going to get along well with other hamsters.
Even if the hamsters are supposed to get along well, you need to place them in a position to do so. Be sure to consider the needs of the hamsters and plan accordingly.