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Old 08-25-2020, 09:33 AM   #1
Onau1618
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Smile Best hamster breeds to live together

Hi everyone! I am new to hamster hideout, not new to hamsters though. I have had mostly syrians, and some dwarves and currently only own one. I am looking for a new one, and wanted to try something new. I was thinking about getting either a robovorski, or a winter white. I wanted to trying getting a pair. I have an ikea detolf, and if I have to I will split it in half. I would consider myself to be pretty expeirienced. Any advice?
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Old 08-25-2020, 10:26 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

I wouldn’t recommend trying to keep any species as a pair, all species are solitary really & it’s very rare for any pair not to fall out & fight as they mature & need their own space. Half a detolf isn’t really enough space for one ham & even with a divider of some sort the hams would still be aware of each other & each others scent which, after falling out would be stressful for them
Trying to keep hamsters in pairs is stressful for the owner, having to constantly watch for signs of falling out & very stressful for the hams to which impacts on their long term health.
Better to just have one healthy happy ham.
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Old 08-25-2020, 11:35 AM   #3
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

If you want to experience pets living together, you'd be better off with pretty much any rodent other than hamsters. Guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, degus, chinchillas... These are animals that really need and thrive from companionship. Hamsters just don't do well kept socially in almost every case.
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Old 08-25-2020, 02:29 PM   #4
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

Mice would be a great choice, but only females as males should not be housed together - they're just as territorial as hamsters and can and will fight to the death as well!

I would steer clear of any sort of group housing with hamsters for the reasons others have mentioned. With the enclosure you have right now(a Detolf) it would be fairly limiting in terms of what you can actually house - no rats(tank style cages are completely unsuitable for them due to lack of ventilation), it's way too small for even a pair of guinea pigs, and I would also not house chinchillas in such an enclosure.

For mice, the Detolf would be an excellent option but only with a properly spaced DIY mesh lid(preferably raised so you can have hanging toys much easier). For gerbils, it could also make a good cage - however, you'd definitely want to create a DIY raised lid for gerbils. The Detolf is fairly short on its own so with really good substrate depth for gerbils once you factor in a wheel and such as well it's really much more appropriate with a raised lid!

Alternatively, a properly set up Detolf with a securely fitted lid would be an excellent cage choice for a single dwarf species - but only one hamster and definitely not more than that for various reasons.
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Old 08-26-2020, 08:29 AM   #5
Onau1618
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Smile Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

Hi everyone! Thanks for the awesome advice. I have heard so many mixed things it’s hard to know what to believe. I have decided to just get one hamster in the detolf 😁. I don’t want my hamsters to be stressed out. Thanks everyone for letting me know! One question though, what breed do you recommend?
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Old 08-26-2020, 10:52 AM   #6
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

Hi there. Agree with the others. Even experienced owners don't always manage to keep a pair together. If you're new to hamsters I would go with one hamster.

Species. If it's your first hamster I'd suggest a Syrian - it's a big generalisation but they can be the easiest to handle and tame and less fast.

Of the other species there are russian dwarf hamsters (Campbells or Winter Whites but you will find that almost all of them are actually hybrids of those two species even if they look like a Campbells or look like a Winter White - unless you get a pedigree one from a breeder).

As most russian hamsters are hybrids, they can be prone to diabetes or other genetic health conditions, but likely to live just as long as Syrians. Due to them being prone to diabetes, diet needs to be factored in (ie sugar free diet).

Roborovski hamsters are the smallest and very small - and very entertaining but notoriously hard to handle or tame - more - look don't touch pets.

The detolf would be fine for any of these. But gives a lot of scope for larger syrian items (eg larger wheel, hides and tunnels etc).
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Old 08-26-2020, 12:55 PM   #7
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

I would go with a dwarf in the Detolf. It's best used for the smaller species, not so great for Syrians as it is pretty narrow and, as mentioned previously, short(Syrians should preferably have 12+ inches of substrate).

As for specific species, they all have their own pros and cons. Hybrids can make excellent pets despite being potentially more prone to health conditions and such, but a robo or Chinese hamster would also be a good choice. I would mostly just stick to dwarf species though due to the Detolf's size related issues(not a problem with dwarf species) - beyond that it's really up to you and what you want out of your future hamster.

With the dwarf species the Detolf is an ideal enclosure when set up properly. That means avoiding and minimizing the lack of overhead cover. These are prey animals at the end of the day and not being able to hide can be stressful for them as well as make them less confident in their enclosure, so things like tunnels(stick to natural safe materials as plastic ones trap humidity and such which isn't good for respiratory health) as an example are great additions. There are plenty other overhead cover ideas out there though!
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Old 08-26-2020, 01:58 PM   #8
Onau1618
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Thanks everyone! The advice has really helped! I have decided that I am going to get a winter white. One more thing (sorry about all the questions), male or female?
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Old 08-26-2020, 02:03 PM   #9
Onau1618
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

Also, just wanted to let you guys know that I am definetly not new to hamsters. I have had 3 Syrians, and 2 dwarves. (One robovorski, one Campbell’s). Just wanted to let y’all know that the only reason I’m asking about this, is because I’m new to detolf. ( and if anyone is conserved about my previous cages, they have all been bin cages with about 700 square inches of floor space . No crittertrails) �� I do know quite a bit about hamsters. Again though, thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it
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Old 08-26-2020, 11:37 PM   #10
cypher
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Default Re: Best hamster breeds to live together

The detolf would be fine for either a Russian or a Robo so just go for whatever appeals to you most as you’ve had both before, if you’re getting your hams from pet shops then all Russians whatever they may be labelled as will be Russian hybrids, you will only get WW or Campbells from a reputable breeder.
Have you had males or females in the past? I find females can be more active than males sometimes, males can be a bit more lazy & laid back, females can be a bit more territorial about the cage but really all hams are such individuals it’s not possible to generalise.

Just btw there are no hamster breeds, they are all different species.
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