Bigger is always better when it comes to hamster cages. When keeping multiple hamsters together, you may hear the odd squeak from time to time. Hamsters squeak to communicate with each other and this is perfectly normal and pretty amusing to watch.
What you should be wary of is very loud squeak sounds or constant squeaks. This could indicate fighting. Some dwarf hamsters even like to playfight! Any signs of fighting should be monitored closely and if you notice injuries — separate the hamsters immediately! Another great tip for reducing hamster aggression is to fill your hamster cage with two of everything. For owners who want to keep two or more hamsters together, Dwarf hamsters are recommended. These species can be kept in pairs or groups as long as they are given adequate space.
Most Dwarf hamsters will enjoy company from members of their own species, but Syrian and sometimes Chinese hamsters must be kept alone. If kept together, these hamsters will get very stressed, even if they are housed in a large enclosure.
If this might be tricky, then you might want to consider opting for a Syrian hamster, which must be kept on its own. Below are some tips and tricks used for keeping multiple hamsters:. Hamsters that have been brought up together will usually have already sorted out where they stand with one another.
To avoid this, you will need to purchase a cage big enough for your species of your pet. Have a look in our housing section for more information. Male and females only come in contact to mate and even so, the female can become aggressive immediately after.
Needless to say, such violence often leads to grave injuries and even death. Save yourself the vet fees and heartbreak, and let your Syrian enjoy a cage all to itself.
Strictly Solitary, Not Suitable for Children. Much like Syrian hamsters, Chinese hamsters are also solitary by nature and should always be kept individually in their own cages at all times.
Studies have shown that Chinese hamsters have a strong preference for empty nests as compared to occupied ones. They have been also documented exhibiting extreme intolerance of one another.
Although this species of hamster is currently not on the market in Singapore, should they eventually become available, we strongly encourage pawrents to always house them individually. Separation Recommended, Relatively tame. Did you know that dwarf hamsters sometimes share burrow tunnels in the wild to save themselves the trouble of digging their own? There have been reports of dwarf hamsters sharing burrows with other hamsters and even Pikas.
The different diets of dwarf hamster versus other hamster species, as well as their relatively bountiful natural habitats, lead to fewer fights over food and territory. However, it is important to note that not all dwarf hamsters are sociable.
Ultimately, the possibility of pairing hinges heavily on the temperament of your hamster and the cage environments provided. Separation Recommended, Not Suitable for Children. Although there have been some rare cases of Roborovskis living in groups in the wild, they are more commonly known for their territorial and aggressive behaviour.
As is the case with hybrid dwarf hamsters, Roborovskis may occasionally tolerate a cagemate. However, fights are likely to occur, as captive environments are very different than in the wild think surface area size and, hence, territorial instincts are also quicker to surface.
Most of the time, hamsters from pet shops come from breeding mills and are still extremely young, before their territorial behaviour kicks in. These young hamsters are sold at fast rates, entering and leaving the pet shops before they can even familiarise themselves with their environments. When two hamsters are bought together at a pet shop and brought home to a new and more stable environment, they usually start to fight each other as they mature and their territorial instincts begin to develop.
Similarly to pet shop hamsters, young hamsters require a bit of time before their territorial instincts take root, and hence may be able to tolerate one another preliminarily. For dwarf hamsters, it is possible that they may ultimately coexist given the proper environment. However, with Syrian or Chinese hamsters, it is a matter of when, not if, that a fight breaks out. Always house them separately at all times. However, if you try to wake a sleeping hamster to handle it, the hamster might become grouchy and bite.
In general, many hamsters will wake in the evening hours and happily interact with their humans then. Moreover, while hamsters make very soft and minimal vocalizations themselves, their movement during the nighttime can be an issue if you're trying to sleep. If you're a light sleeper, you probably shouldn't keep your hamster enclosure in your bedroom.
Most dwarf hamsters take well to people holding them, but they will nip if they feel uncomfortable. Calm, gentle handling from a young age can help them to feel safe when held. It's best to sit on the ground in a secured space such as a small bedroom with the door shut when holding your hamster, as these animals can move quite quickly and might break free of your hold if you're not paying attention.
You don't ever want your hamster to drop from a great height—even a couple feet is a lot for them—as this can severely injure the little animal. It's also important never to squeeze your hamster in your hands, as this can result in injury for the animal or cause it to bite you. Plus, keep your dwarf hamster away from any other pets outside of its own species to prevent injuries.
A dwarf hamster's habitat should be as large as possible, allowing for maximum exercise and play. A cage that's roughly 2 feet square with a height of around a foot is the bare minimum that some animal groups recommend.
Habitat options generally include a glass or plastic aquarium with a secure top that has ventilation or a cage that's wire with a plastic base.
Wire cages allow for better airflow to prevent overheating, though they don't protect as well as plastic or glass do against drafts. You must make sure that the wire spacing is close enough that your hamster can't squeeze through the bars. On the bottom of the cage, there should be a 1- to 2-inch layer of bedding, such as chemical- and dye-free shredded paper or hardwood shavings. Change the bedding once a week when you clean all surfaces in the enclosure with soap and water, and remove wet spots daily.
Include an exercise wheel in the enclosure that has a solid surface, not bars, for your hamster to run on.
Also provide plenty of wooden chew sticks or mineral chews in the enclosure. Chewing maintains a hamster's incisor teeth, which grow continuously. Plus, add a small nest or sleeping hut available at most pet shops for your hamster to rest and hide in when it wants to feel secure. Hamsters acclimate well to average household temperatures. Just be cautious of extreme temperature changes, and keep the habitat away from direct sunlight and drafts.
A bowl of food and a small dish or bottle of fresh water should always be available to your pet dwarf hamster.
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