do i need to worry?

[jessan]

i have two male dwarf hamsters named Pudge and Scamp they have a cage each but it joins so they can be together and have more space or separated so they have there own space

ANYWAY they have separate sleeping areas and a wheel each but the other night scamp went into Pudges place where he sleeps and they had a fight, later that evening i took out Pudge and noticed a little bit of blood on my hand so i turned him over and his scent gland was bleeding (not heaps but there was i bit of blood there) it didn't seem to bother Pudge too much and he ran around like normal but im not sure what to do, i was in panic mode all last night and didn't get any sleep every squeal they made i checked to see if they were ok and this morning i checked both of them for injuries and even though it sounded like they were fighting all night they were both ok
i looked on the internet and there was mixed thoughts about how to deal with fighting hamsters but id rather know what your guys ideas are and take it from there.

should i separate them, or give them more time to adjust? i really hope they can stay together, i notice they both wind each other up and usually there squabbles don't lead to blood

thanks for any advise

[Bunsey]

unfortunately, your cage set-up may be what's caused the problems. whilst it seems like you're giving them a fun home, it's actually the case that modular cages (i.e. cages where two or more compartments or levels are connected) can cause fights and terratorialism between dwarfs.

Your best bet is to move them as soon as you can into a cage with only one section, for example a tub or a cage like the gabber rex, zoozone 1, zoozone 2 etc. I'd really do this ASAP before the fighting gets so bad that there's no chance of them staying together.

[loyal_tree]

I agree with Bunsey. Multiple cages and 'separate' living quarters can lead to territorialism and cause fighting. It's best to use a single level cage with lots of space, and double everything like you have already (wheels, etc.). Also best not to use food bowls and scatter feed instead, so one can't hoard the whole bowl to himself.

I'd also do it quickly. Another cage suggestion would be the Ferplast Duna Multy. It's just like a Zoo Zone, but you don't have to mesh the lid.

[jessan]

thanks guys i shall do somthin bout it cheers