Robo hamsters fighting

ThePiggyRoom · 10-25-2018, 09:41 AM

I could do with some advice about my two Robos. I got them from an ad on Gumtree about two months ago, when my robo died and I wanted to get a rescue one to replace him. I had to have them as soon as I saw the ad. They were in a filthy gerbilarium, with an upturned jar lid full of black water to drink and an old sardine tin with something unidentifiable to eat and a car brake light cover as a house. He thought they were about a year old, but didn’t know whether they were male or female. They turned out to be girls and one of them, Snowflake had an infected eye, so she had to go to the vets. They settled into their new cage really well, but I have noticed on occasion that Snowball chases Snowflake and also rolls her onto her back. Last night she was doing it non stop, they were so fast though, I couldn’t see if she was biting her. They sleep together and run on their flying saucer together, but I don’t know if it’s just a dominance thing, or if I need to separate them. They have two of everything to try to avoid fights. I don’t know if Snowflake's eye infection is from a previous fight, or something to do with their old living conditions. I have another empty cage so I have the room to separate them, but don’t want to, if I don’t have to. I have had robos before, but always single ones, so don’t know how much chasing/fighting is ok.

Hammyloui · 10-25-2018, 09:47 AM

Do you hear squeaking when they chase each other? Chasing could be a sign of bullying and normally isn't a dominance display.

cypher · 10-25-2018, 10:28 AM

It can be very hard to guess if or when bullying or dominance may turn into serious fighting so I would at very least keep a close eye on them & separate if there is any escalation in this kind of behaviour, personally I would be inclined to err on the side of safety & separate anyway but only you can really decide if that would be the right thing to do.

ThePiggyRoom · 10-25-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammyloui

Do you hear squeaking when they chase each other? Chasing could be a sign of bullying and normally isn't a dominance display.

I haven’t heard any squeaking. I read on a website that chasing was a dominance thing when I googled it, but didn’t know whether it was correct.

mangoandmimi · 10-25-2018, 10:49 AM

I would separate at this point - non stop chasing is not a good sign nor is it normal, and it isn’t a good idea to wait until something serious happens. Generally it just gets more and more severe. You can’t monitor their behaviour 24/7 so it’s not exactly a risk worth taking at this point imo, sometimes one will turn on the other in the blink of an eye and it’ll be too late. I wouldn’t take sleeping together as a sign they’re ok, I’ve seen some pairs be separated the day after nesting together!

ThePiggyRoom · 10-25-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It can be very hard to guess if or when bullying or dominance may turn into serious fighting so I would at very least keep a close eye on them & separate if there is any escalation in this kind of behaviour, personally I would be inclined to err on the side of safety & separate anyway but only you can really decide if that would be the right thing to do.

I think I will have to separate them, I can’t risk them getting injured. I think I just needed to hear it from someone else.

ThePiggyRoom · 10-25-2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangoandmimi

I would separate at this point - non stop chasing is not a good sign nor is it normal, and it isn’t a good idea to wait until something serious happens. Generally it just gets more and more severe. You can’t monitor their behaviour 24/7 so it’s not exactly a risk worth taking at this point imo, sometimes one will turn on the other in the blink of an eye and it’ll be too late. I wouldn’t take sleeping together as a sign they’re ok, I’ve seen some pairs be separated the day after nesting together!

Thank you, I will definitely separate them.

flowerfairy · 10-25-2018, 11:48 AM

Good advice re separation. Hope they flourish in their separate cages.

Well done for ggiving them a nice new home.

Pebbles82 · 10-25-2018, 12:20 PM

So glad you rescued them

They are lucky to have you. Sometimes just the change of home and environment can disrupt things and make them more territorial. Shame to have to separate them but it does sound for the best.

cypher · 10-25-2018, 12:21 PM

I'm sure you've made the best decision for them to separate, it may take them a while to adjust so try not to worry if they don't seem entirely happy straight away, it could take them a while, even a couple of weeks to get used to living alone but they will settle & be fine & a lot less stressed with their own individual territories.