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Old 01-17-2019, 08:45 AM   #1
Nicpara135
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Join Date: Jan 2019
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Unhappy Winter White brothers fighting

Hi, I’m new here and to hamster ownership. I bought two winter white brothers from a breeder and had them in the same cage. A couple weeks ago we saw one with blood and scratches on its stomach so we separated them. I’ve now learned that the cage I had them in was too small and we didn’t have two of everything. We also had areas where they could trap each other. Very rookie mistakes!!

So, my question now is... if I get a bigger cage and set it up properly, can I reintroduce them? We have them in two separate cages now, but we have kept them next to each other so they can see each other. The injured hamster is doing fine, but the dominant one now burrows a lot and has gained weight. I either need to get them both new cages or get one really big cage and reintroduce them. I’m need advice!

Sorry for the long post, but trying to explain everything to get the best advice!

Thank you,
Nick
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Old 01-17-2019, 09:43 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Winter White brothers fighting

I wouldn't try to reintroduce them now, they will have got used to having their own territory & would most likely fight again if put back together, the majority of pairs fall out & fight when they mature anyway so the chances of them getting on together are very slim.
Hamsters really do better alone, they don't need the company of another hamster so they'll be fine living in their own separate cages.
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Old 01-17-2019, 09:46 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Winter White brothers fighting

Once they're separated they do need to stay separated. Some very experienced breeders have sometimes managed to reintroduce a pair, but it is a rare thing and very risky. The next fight could be really nasty? They can be seriously maimed or killed.

Don't blame yourself - this is very common, even with the cage set up right - especially when they get to a certain age and their hormones kick in. They will be fine living alone as Cypher says. On the plus side they sometimes bond more with the owner when living alone.
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Old 01-17-2019, 09:52 AM   #4
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Winter White brothers fighting

I agree, winter whites are quite solitary even in the wild, so it is not a good idea to keep them in a pair in the first place. Re-introductions are far too risky no matter what the situation is and are not in either of the hamsters best interests. They'll be happier in their own space.
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Old 01-17-2019, 11:48 AM   #5
BuNNY
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Default Re: Winter White brothers fighting

I wouldn't try reintroduce them, we had a couple of winter whites that were fighting, in the end (before things got ugly) we separated them permanently. Although we wanted to keep them together, we only wanted to do that for ourselves and were not thinking of the hamsters.

I can say they certainly seem alot happier now that they each have their own space.

we tried a couple of times to get them to get along by dividing the cage so they can still smell and see each other and it just wasn't going to work out, even after neutering (an extreme measure I know!).

So they will enjoy their lives more, separately, from my experience. Don't even try to reintroduce them, it just makes them far too stressed out and can end badly, definitely not worth it.
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Old 01-20-2019, 06:20 PM   #6
Nicpara135
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Default Re: Winter White brothers fighting

Thank you everyone for the replies! Both hamsters are now very happy in brand new large habitats!
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