Long timed hamsters buddies fighting like mad?

Question

Both hamsters escaped this morning. HAMSTER ONE and HAMSTER TWO. Found HAMSTER ONE this morning soon but only found HAMSTER TWO just now. HAMSTER ONE will attack HAMSTER TWO furiously. However, they have been together for 6 months since born? they are dwarf hamsters.
Why did that happen? What should i do? please help!!!

Answer 1

I agree with sunluver... for the most part.
The only thing I would have to say is, you CAN give your hamsters a bath. Sometimes they need it. Yes they do groom themselves like cats, but just like cats, they can get into things that make them rather smelly and they can't clean that off of themselves.
All you need to do it put about an inch of water in the bath or sink and use small animal shampoo to bathe them. Just make sure you rinse them very well and make sure they are completely dry before you put them back into their cage....

You may have to separate them, dwarf hamsters, once they are alone, even for only a few hours, it's hard to get them back together...

Hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

This is not uncommon among dwarf hamsters. Unlike Syrian hamsters (the larger species), dwarf hamsters (they are likely Campbell's Dwarves) are social and live in communities in the wild. Syrians on the other hand are solitary and absolutely must live alone or they will do serious injury which will likely result in death of one or both. Campbell's Dwarves can be kept together in pairs or groups, but it's much easier and more successful if they are littermates. If not, the pairing usually has to be before they hit adulthood. You said they've been together for 6 months "since born", so I'm gathering that they are littermates.

Most pairs and communities of dwarves that have been together since birth live peacefully their whole lives. But sometimes, for no recognizable reason, fighting might erupt between some. I know hamster breeders that have had this happen with sibling hamsters or even with a parent and off-spring. When fighting occurs, it's really critical that you monitor closely. If it's noisy squabbling and arguing with maybe some power-grooming thrown in, but no teeth bared or blood shed, they are probably re-establishing their hierarchy and will likely work it out. If there is any fur missing on either and if there are injuries and you see blood, they need to be separated immediately. Once there's this kind of battling, they are at the point of no return which will absolutely seriously injure one or both. Please don't wait too long though if the fighting is bad. It will end tragically otherwise.

You didn't say if the fighting started before the escape or afterward. The escape may or may not have something to do with it. A day isn't that long for them to be separated. I've had pairs that I've separated temporarily when taking one to the vet. But the more important issue is their behavior. If you see just the squabbling, then it should be okay. If they can't be in the same area with each other without going at the other, then they need to be separated. I wouldn't attempt to reintroduce them in that event; it rarely works. The only successful method of either introducing or reintroducing adult dwarves is by using a "split-tank" method. It's where you take a 10 gallon tank and split it in half using a homemade divider of wire mesh, or there are pre-made dividers that can be found at pet stores in the fish-tank section. You basically put one dwarf in each side and then swap them out to the other side everyday for about a week. This way they get used to the other's scent.

I wanted to also add, please don't bathe your hamsters. They are very clean animals and groom themselves. It isn't necessary to bathe them in water. In fact, it will likely stress and traumatize them and can lead to illness. Dwarf hamsters come from arid deserty regions of Asia. So the only bath they enjoy is a sand bath. It's a great idea to place a small plastic tub of plain children's play sand (easily found at any home supply store) in their tank or cage. They will roll around in it and dig furiously. They enjoy it tremendously and it's a lot of fun to watch. It also helps keep their fur looking nice.

I am an administrator on a forum for animal owners (mostly rodents). If you are interested in researching more about your dwarfies (or any other animals), I've posted the link below. It's a very friendly community of animal lovers that includes some very experienced breeders and owners.

Good luck to you and your dwarfies! :)

Answer 3

Because they were seperate and ran through the house. They now smell different. Hamsters don't have a great memory so it's possible the time apart made them forget each other. Also with hamster 1 being in the cage a while w/o hamster 2, he's probably become territorial. If you want to be safe and have both hamsters live, buy another cage and keep them seperate. The chances of them living together happily now aren't that great.

Answer 4

A friend of mine has a son who had 2 hamsters. He now has one. Hamster #1 ate hamster #2.
I don't know a lot about them (sorry, I don't keep rodents, no matter how cute) but I think they attack each other when they are both the same sex and they're trying to establish domination.
You should probably get another cage and keep them in separate cages, unless you want to go from two hamsters to one like that kid I know.

Answer 5

One of the hamsters probably got into something smelly and the scent is still on them. Give them both a very big bath and see if that helps. If it doesn't then maybe just separate them and give them some time before putting them back together!

Answer 6

You cant put adult hamsters together. I'm not sure why they waited until now to start fighting, but you'll have to get another cage for one of them, or they'll fight, maybe til the death. Hamsters are very territorial.

Answer 7

I had this happen to my pet rats, sometimes it would occur when I cleaned their cage. Usually they settle it themselves, but it might be a good idea to give them a quick wash with warm water and rub them dry so they dont catch chill. They will likely mark (urinate). If after three days or so and they are still fighting or they are causing injury to one another then seperate them and if you have another cage keep them side by side so they get used to each others smells again before reintroducting them. If they continue to fight then you may have to seperate them for good.

Answer 8

they will kill sooner or later you havebeen very lucky