Play fighting or not

Owner of 3 · 09-13-2014, 02:06 PM

I recently bought 2 male Russian hamster both are babies and from the same litter, there in a large cage with plenty of tubes, a wheel each as well as a house each....I have read the various posts which has left me a little confused...As my hamsters sleep together sometimes it appears that they are fighting not sure if its just play fighting...would you recommend that I separate them ?

**DrKMcK** · 09-14-2014, 10:37 PM

If they are fighting, they will still sleep together. If the fighting causes any kind of nips or fur loss, separate them now. They do have tussels over dominence, which is normal, so monitor the fighting and if you see any fur torn out, nips around the back end and back legs, or blood of any kind, separate them.

cypher · 09-15-2014, 12:29 AM

I'd have to agree with that, I know some people do manage to keep them as pairs long term but if there's any doubt at all I really don't think it's worth the risk to your hams & you'd be better separating them.

XRubyRoseX · 09-15-2014, 07:13 AM

If there's no blood and they both seem happy and not stressed they should be fine, I'd keep an eye on them though just to be on the safe side.

Owner of 3 · 09-16-2014, 01:32 AM

Thanks for the advice

and i do keep a close eye on them and as of yet no missing fur or any blood

XRubyRoseX · 09-16-2014, 04:51 AM

No worries hope everything goes okay between them. My two dwarfs had a couple of squabbles the first few days when I brought them home, I think it was them trying to work out which was the dominant ham, after that though they've settled perfectly, and the only time I ever hear them is when they dream (my hams are very loud in their sleep sometimes

), and now my two hamsters play together, sleep together and I've even seen them groom each other which was lovely. They're very protective over each other now, the other day they were in their playpen playing and Miso decided to just take a little nap in the corner and Pocky went over and sat by him to make sure he was okay

. Just keep an eye on them and be prepared to separate them, but if everything else seems normal then they'll probably be fine, just takes them a little while to settle down and get adjusted

Owner of 3 · 09-19-2014, 03:54 PM

Just thought i would post a quick update ..For my own peace of mind I have separated my hamsters as i wasn't to sure if 1 of my hamster was bullying the other as they would be awake when i am asleep when i did see them out it did look like one was dominating the other one ...They don't seem unhappy they actually seem a lot happier now they each have there own cage.

Skeever · 09-19-2014, 03:59 PM

When they were 'fighting' were they making noises, like squeaking? lots of hamsters wrestle but its often quiet, which I tend to think is playing....?

cypher · 09-19-2014, 11:07 PM

I think you made a wise move, always better to be safe than sorry & I think both you & the hams will be happier with the new set up.

XRubyRoseX · 09-20-2014, 01:03 AM

At least if they're separate now you don't have to worry about them fighting, plus it means each ham has more space to themselves and they'll be more happier

Despite what people say I don't actually think they get sad when they're separated from each other (I think the only time it might bother them is if they've lived together for all their lives and one of them dies for example) and they're probably going to be better off and happier, you did the right thing if you think they were bullying each other