Are my Dwarf Hamsters fighting?

Question

I recently got a 4 week old dwarf and put it in the cage with my year old dwarf. I hear the little one squeaking and go over the cage and she is on her back and the other one is over her. Sometimes the older one is sleeping and the young one is squeaking and on her back. What is going on? Are they fighting playing or mating? LOL

Answer 1

While dwarf hamsters are able to live in pairs, trios and colonies it is not always the case. It really depends on the personalities of the two hamsters. For anyone that wants to have two same sex dwarves living together that are not littermates, I always suggest they get two of the same size and age (if possible to determine the age). Introducing two with such a big size and age difference is not a good idea. You will probably need to separate them.

If you don't have a second cage or really want to see if it will work, then I suggest you soak the cage and all the accessories in a 1:10 bleach solution for at least 10 minutes. Then wash it with dish detergent to remove any bleach residue. Once dry, replace all the accessories back into the cage but arrange them differently so the first hamster doesn't recognize it as the same cage. Then put both hamsters into the cage.

This is a good way to introduce two new hamsters though given the size difference of the two you have, I am sceptically that it will work but it's worth a try.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 2

dwarf hamsters are solitary creatures. they'll kill each other because they like to live alone. you need to separate them ASAP! I had one before, and I learned this in my research. This is also why you almost never see them together in a pet store, and if they are, they were littermates and have been together since birth.

Answer 3

They are fighting. Separate them as soon as possible.

All the best!/