Just had to seperate my two dwarfs

[Chris Edinburgh]

Hi,

I have two female Russian dwarfs for around a month(Godzilla & Hercules) They where initially getting on well but now Hercules has been bullying Godzilla for about a week. Godzilla would run away the minute Hercules got near him, every minute or two Hercules would jump on Godzilla and he would shriek. I have two of everything and a 70x46 tank.

Few questions:

1. Can I try re-introducing them? if so is their a guide?
2. Was the tank big enough for two Dwarfs?
3. Do dwarf pairings often work?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Shannonmcn]

Do not attempt to reintroduce, they forget eachother very quickly and will see the other as an intruder so basically murdermurdermurder.
The tank size doesn't always cause the issue, sometimes they just don't get on forever. I don't keep dwarves personally so I don't know the stats on how often his happens but I've been on the forum long enough to have decided it happens too often for me to feel comfortable so when/if I do get a dwarfie it will be living the single life.

Good job for separating before it got too dangerous! I'd advise going to the nearest IKEA, Wilkos or anywhere where you can find a big storage bin and use that as a new cage if you don't have a spare already.

[SinNyx]

Well done for separating them!

1. No, it's best to leave them now, they will be a lot happier on their own and re-introducing could not only add stress but end up in a worse fight!
2. Different people would have different views on that. Personally I kept a pair in a 70 x 40cm cage fine but if I did again, I'd use something larger.
3. Depending on the dwarf. In my experience I see Russians fall out more often than other species, so I prefer to keep them alone. Robos seem to have a higher chance of staying together but with any pair there is always a risk of fighting, more so if they have clashing personalities.

[Pebbles82]

I think it's very common for them to need separating at some stage. Afraid you'll need another cage or tank now, quite quickly, although sounds like you have something sorted if you've already separated them. They'll be fine on their own and their individual personalities will emerge now the deadlock is broken.

[Chris Edinburgh]

Thanks for your messages, will keep them seperate. Hercules is in a smallish cage just now until I get something new delivered, plus need a desk from Ikea for a cage to go on.

I initially wanted two Robos as I heard they got on best, put P@H didn't have any

[Pebbles82]

Hmm - if you need a desk from Ikea, maybe you could get kallax shelving and a detolf instead! You could split the detolf into two areas so it's like two cages and they have half each - then you have something to stand your cages on (the kallax shelves), extra storage, and a spare cage.

Erin's Hamsters has a video on how to do it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh9qYq9Cf7g

There's a post on it here

Splitting An Ikea Detolf

Apart from dividing it, you'd need to make two lids as well.

Depends if you don't mind a bit of diy! The detolf looks amazing too. If you don't fancy the diy then I guess a table and another cage would be best.

Below are some pics of detolf set ups. The detolf costs £40, and the Kallax shelves aren't that expensive either. You'd need two of these to stand it on (in whatever colour you prefer!), with a slight gap in the middle between them.

KALLAX Shelving unit - white - IKEA

Here's the detolf itself - I really want one! But sadly don't have room for one without turfing the family out.

DETOLF Glass-door cabinet - IKEA

Pics

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=de...ed=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

And there are quite a few on the 'Show us your cages' threads on here too.

[Thin Lizzy]

Chris good on you for separating Godzilla & Hercules.
Their personalities will shine more now they have their own bachelor pads.

[kyrilliondaemon]

We've actually had a fairly good success rate with dwarf pairs/groups, so far we've had about a 50% success rate and we've found its definetly worth a go keeping them together. I know of a lot of other success stories too and one of the times we've had dwarf hams fall out it was due to one becoming ill as opposed to personality/caging issues. I think on the forum we hear more about the failures than the successes because people tend to need help when things fall apart but don't when things're going well.

That said... Now they're separate it is definetly safest to keep them separate.

[racinghamster]

Well done for acting to separate them Chris and not waiting for others to tell you to. I don`t keep pairs or groups for this reason. It`s not that I mind having a second cage, I just prefer keeping the one on it`s own which prevents future troubles. I rehome single hamsters that are unwanted rather than buy them in pairs anyway. Both your hamsters will be happier now.

[Chris Edinburgh]

They are doing well Godzilla is using his sand bath so much now! Hercules is standing on his wood tunnel to try and watch the football ha! they do seem both happier

Picked up the below cage for Hercules:

Riviera Varazze Mouse/ Hamster Cage, Extra Large, 70 x 40 x 40 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Seems to have good reviews and is the perfect size for the flat! Having amazon vouchers is always a plus! Now I can buy some of the fancy toys now that I don't need two of everything!

If both hamster cages are close together will they smell each other? if they do will they mind?