Worried now - please help!

deb960 · 08-25-2013, 10:23 AM

Hi
Ive had a dwarf Chinese hamster before and she was lovely but unfortunately died due to old age!

so went today to get another one and was told they like to live in pairs, so ended up with 2 females - I asked do they really like to be together as my niece has 2 Russian dwarfs and they fought to had to separate them and she said oh no Chinese love to be in pairs, you will not have a problem at all.

Now I have been reading that they do fight! I am worried that they will and that I have been a fool and brought two home - advice anyone or do I just have to wait and see?

I have two children so they have named one each and they will be so upset if they start fighthing and I have to take one back or separate them.

Help please.

racinghamster · 08-25-2013, 10:55 AM

Hi deb. Pet shops always give this story about Chinese hamsters being fine in pairs and although they might be fine for a while, the chances are they could fall out, or at least, one will become dominant over the other. Females are the most notorious for being vicious toward one another. There are exceptions, but I personally wouldn`t keep two female Chinese hamsters in the same cage. I may be scare mongering here and I hope I`m not, but reading many people`s experiences, Chinese are viewed much like Syrians now and best kept singly.

Now many factors need to be looked at here and I will try and point these out:

1. The cage must be one level only - no shelving
2. An `open` nest with a large pile of nesting material and deep substrate, as Chinese hamsters love to dig deep down and make round nests
3. Scatter feed as well as having a food dish or have two feeding stations
4. Have two water bottles
3. Have two wheels

These are just a couple of pointers for you off the top of my head. This actually might be the best time to get yourself another cage/tank and separate them now rather than worry about future troubles. That way your kids can have a hamster each without worrying about things? Did you get them from Pets At Home? Were they in the adoption area of a tank where there are more than one?

But lets not get too ahead of things. What I have said is what most people know already, but if and it`s a big IF....your girls might co-habit fine, who knows. It`s all about being aware of what might happen and that your kids know, just in case things go pearshaped. But if you get another cage, it doesn`t mean one will lose out and you can keep them on their own if they do start to bicker. Just be mindful that Chinese hamsters in pairs need more monitoring and less stress.

deb960 · 08-27-2013, 01:23 AM

Hi thanks for all your replies. I am going to keep an extra eye on them and at the first sign of fighting will separate - at the moment (fingers crossed) they are sleeping together still and seem ok, but as someone says this could change!

We got them out today for the first time and they are just lovely - attached are photos - brown one is called Hacker (after hacker time on cbbc - although the hamster is a girl!) and the other one is called Bramble!!

Mm will have to read up on how to attach photos - I will be back.................

racinghamster · 08-27-2013, 02:48 AM

They sound lovely and at least you know what to watch for and will be prepared for separations if necessary. Sometimes there are exceptions to rules and two hamsters will never get to the stage where they fall out so badly that they can`t co-habit anymore. But Chinese hamsters (especially females) can be very tricky which is why constant observation is required as they tend to `turn` when you are not watching. During the night can be a time when attacks take place, so if their cage is housed in a room where you can`t hear them, that could pose a problem, but perhaps you can work round that.

Can`t wait to see them.

souffle · 08-27-2013, 05:52 AM

Racing hamster is right. Female chinese will seem fine one second and the next - wham they attack. It usually happens when their hormones kick in as they mature. They are not really meant to live in single sex pairs and it is an unnatural situation really so watch them very very closely. The fight seriously and one can kill or badly maim the other.
This would not be a pretty sight for your kids to come down to one morning for sure!!
Personally I would get another cage in and be prepared to separate. If you sense something is not right go with your gut instinct and separate them before a fight happens. Things like squeaking, one sitting in the nest, one chasing the other and turning it over, sitting hogging the food, one much larger than the other, tiny nips or scabs anywhere are all things to look for.
They sound lovely and they will make lovely pets too. We have a Chinese boy and he is such a character

deb960 · 08-30-2013, 12:21 AM

Well was getting worried about them being together, and when I got one out she had a scratch on her, so straight back to pets at home to have a word with the manager.

I was not happy and said about the lady saying they would be fine together etc etc and look what has happened. He couldn't apologise enough and said he would sort it. The lady who sold it to me then appeared and I said you sold them to me and assured me they would be ok, well they are not. She went very red and apologised, and I said that's not good enough! I had taken both hamsters with me so insisted they were both checked out at the In store vets which they did. Store manager very apologetic and said I should to have been told that and he would be having words with the lady concerned. He then offered me free cage etc but I said no as to be honest have not got the room for another big cage. I said I was very unhappy as originally only came in for one but was told they would not sell them individually!

Eventually left with one hamster and a free fish tank etc for my son who's hamster we couldn't bring back home.

I should of gone with my gut instinct when originally getting them and annoyed at myself, but hopefully all is now sorted although I get I'm not the last one this happens to.

Gazmo · 08-30-2013, 01:12 AM

I did have 2 chinease girls, live happily together, but im pretty sure that's rare

racinghamster · 08-30-2013, 01:33 AM

So did they take one of the hamster`s back and say they would put her up for adoption deb? It`s sad they this had to happen because for only reasons the store will know, they are selling Chinese hamsters in pairs and groups to people when the reality is, they are best kept like Syrians, alone. Chinese hamsters are probably not as well known as pets as their Russian and Robo friends are and I think this "we don`t sell them unless they are a pair" malarkey needs to stop where Chinese hamsters are concerned.

Anyone who is willing to take on two Chinese hamster`s should be aware that there are risks and be fully prepared to have two separate cages/tanks if the inevitable happens. As Gazmo said, she has two females living together and as yet, has had no issues. But the general background of these hamsters is becoming more and more known regarding their fall out rates compared to the other dwarf species and even they can be volatile if not properly managed. Even with the best cages, accessories and monitoring, dwarf hamsters can just fall out for reasons we will never understand.

So, how is your remaining girl getting on?

deb960 · 08-30-2013, 08:08 AM

Hiya
Yes its not right that they are saying they should live together when most of the time (lucky if they do get on), they don't get on.

It is really not right at all and should not happen to anyone.

The Chinese we do have (bramble) seems to be fine, we are leaving her alone again for a while to re-settle, but so far seems to be ok - poor love, probably wonder what has happened to her little friend!.

So yes, now more fish, one hamster and a cat - that'll do for now!!

racinghamster · 08-30-2013, 08:19 AM

It is a shame that unsuspecting people are given this information by staff although it`s probably store policy based on information they have that states that `dwarf` hamsters do better in pairs. The reality is, if a person knows what they are taking on, that`s fine. If they are relying on the shop staff to give them factual information, then they are choosing to abide by the references they use and hoping they are correct in their evaluation.

I would love to keep two `dwarf` or Chinese hamsters in a same sex pairing, but I know that there is a high incidence of separations and great attention needs to be taken to spot any signs of imminent trouble and we can`t watch them 24/7.

Your little one will settle but give her lots of patience and time. Chinese hamsters are naturally curious but timid, so benefit from gentle handling. Oh and do keep the cat out of the hamster`s room if you can because cat`s know when a small rodent is around.