Bully hamster...?

Question

My sister has 2 female dwarf hamsters that are about 5 months old. She bought them both in October. They have been fine but I was wondering what I can do because one is very timid, the other (who climbed out of the box we were keeping them in while cleaning their tank and fell) is a bit more aggressive and my sister is afraid she'll bite and so she doesn't hold that one as much. Me and my own hamster ar efine but I am worried about my sisters.' Sometimes the aggressive one, named Nutmeg, will just kind of push the timid one, Gertrude, off the wheel and claim it herself or hog the food. Is there something that I should be concerned with? They've known each other for a while now, but is this going to lead to something serious (like, will we have to separate them)? If so, like separation-wise, who would we give Nutmeg to? Am i just paranoid???!

The thing is, when I told my sis all ur advice, she says that the two still sleep together and cuddle, so I'm not sure if Nutmeg is a BIG bully, but I just know that she sometimes pushes Gertrude over a little, you know? thx for the advice.

The thing is, when I told my sis all ur advice, she says that the two still sleep together and cuddle, so I'm not sure if Nutmeg is a BIG bully, but I just know that she sometimes pushes Gertrude over a little, you know? thx for the advice.

p.s. sorry for posting that last thing twice!!

Answer 1

dwarf hamsters CAN be kept togther & usually prefer company. no matter how many times u say it people get it wrong--syrians r the loners. if they arent fighting and leaving blood & cuts they are fine together. one hamster will always be the dominant one & nutmeg is the boss of these 2. they dont need to be separated unless the fights get nasty. its perfectly normal even though i know u feel bad. one thing u can do is get a larger cage or attach a 2nd one so they can have 2 wheels. also hide the food all over the cage. they will enjoy the hunt & this ensures they both find some. nutmeg cant hog it all!

i would advise handling them both though. get in an empty tub with the drain plugged & sit and play with them. spending time with them & talking with them keeps them tame. its gets easier in time.

good luck!

Answer 2

Hamsters don't live together. Just buy another cage and put one in it. If you don't there'll be fights later most likely. Why can't you keep both in separate cages? Also, not handling the less friendly hamster is the worst thing you can do. It will never become friendly if it isn't held regularly. If you're worried, put on a pair of gloves for the first few sessions but be careful not to pinch the hamster or hold it too tightly. Keep your fingers away from its teeth, handfeed it to get it used to you being a positive thing, and don't put them down the minute they bite. That just teaches them that the way to be put back in their home is to attack.

Oh, and try to keep hamsters in a box with a lid on when cleaning their cage.

Answer 3

Maybe it would be best to separate the hamsters.

It is extremely important to cuddle & hold your hamsters everyday. Dwarf hamsters will turn "wild" if not handled frequently. Ordinary hamsters stay tame (but they need to be held everyday anyway). I have a dwarf male & he bites while he is in his cage (he is protecting his territory). I use a toilet paper tube to scoop him up & out of the cage. He does not try to bite once out of his home. Then I cuddle & kiss him like crazy!! As soon as I put him back, he tries to nip at me. It's his personality.


Updated:
Keep the hamsters together, then. Keep a close eye on them.

Answer 4

Better to be save rather than sorry, I would separate them.
Nutmeg in time could seriously hurt Gertrude.
That can be a very messy situation, not pleasant to deal with.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

seperate them now as they will kill you can not keep 2 together