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Old 05-28-2011, 07:13 PM   #1
rachelmansell
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Question Possible Fighting Dilemma

Okay, so I have two Dwarf Campbell hamsters and I've never personally seen them fight until tonight. They were scratching at each other and rolling around and squeaking very loudly, so I've separated them.

I Google'd it, and several sites said that this is simply 'play-fighting' and is normal.

The hamsters aren't bored; it seemed as though they were fighting over a wheel (even though I have two and both have used both wheels).

Also, before, my smaller hamster had a big infected cut on his face although I never found out how exactly he got it.

So now I don't know whether to put them back together or keep them separated. I don't know how old they are, but I've had them around half a year and they seemed to be quite young when I got them.

Any suggestions would be amazing.
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Old 05-28-2011, 07:31 PM   #2
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

It's normal to various extents when hams still get along, but when they start consistently injuring each other, it's better to separate.

Play fighting does not result in bloody bites and cuts. If it happens once and not serious, maybe it's a grumpy fall out and hopefully it doesn't happen again. If it happens repeatedly, it's safer to avoid infections and bullying by separating.

It sounds like the latest fallout you witnessed was pretty serious. Since you saw a big cut on one of your hams before and it got infected, your decision to split them was correct, in my opinion.
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Old 05-28-2011, 07:38 PM   #3
rachelmansell
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

Thanks, you definitely put my mind at ease. They haven't been sleeping together for a couple of weeks now but I didn't think anything of it until tonight.

They seem fine separated so far. Both have eaten, had a drink and have run on their respective wheels.
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Old 05-28-2011, 07:58 PM   #4
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

I'm not the final authority on this though--I've only had the experience of my own roborovski pair and reading posts here about pairs of hams not getting along. The common sentiment is usually as soon as serious injuries start happening--it's time to separate.
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Old 05-29-2011, 04:25 AM   #5
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

If blood has been drawn its best to seperate, I think that you have done the right thing. They may take a couple of days to adjust to being on their own, but they will be fine and probably a lot happier with their own space.
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Old 05-29-2011, 05:07 AM   #6
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

I agree with the others. Ball fighting and loud squeaking are not good signs and if this was to happen when you were out, you could have come home to a bloodbath, so definately keep them on their own now. It`s really sad when this happens because I had the same thing happen with two male Roborovskis a few years ago and I really loved watching them sleeping in their wheel and playing, until one decided to start chasing and biting the others rear end causing scabbing. I then witnessed this bullying and had no choice but to seperate them.

In the wild, they would be able to run away from these attacks, but in a caged captivity, they can`t, so we have to be very vigilant of changes in behaviour on a daily basis for any signs of aggression or fall outs.

I`m sure your hamsters will do fine on their own and adapt well.
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Old 05-29-2011, 06:20 AM   #7
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Default Re: Possible Fighting Dilemma

In my experience, 'play' fighting is chasing each other around, some annoyed squeaks and a bit of nudging. When I've seen mine properly go at it, they've been rolling in a ball and have drawn blood. They are all separate now and doing great on their own. I think you've done the right thing.
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