2 Hamsters with different age.

bitsyandgandalf · 01-11-2016, 05:27 AM

I have 2 hamsters. Bitsy and Gandalf. Gandalf is about 1 year old. And Bitsy is just 7 weeks old. Right now Bitsy and Gandalf is seperated in different cages. I let them meet in the tub for the first time this morning, and Gandalf attacked Bitsy after a little while. I directly took Gandalf away. The hamsters weren't squeeking or doing any sounds when they were fighting. I did some googling and I found out that theres something called "Squabble" or something like that, and that they do that often. But since Bitsy is so young, does he understand that Gandalf is doing that?

My main questions is, Can they be together again? And if Gandalf jumps on Bitsy again, should I take him off or let them Squabble?

By the way, I don't even know if Squabble is something real or something someone just made up.

souffle · 01-11-2016, 07:12 AM

You should never try and introduce hamsters of such different ages especially if one is so much older. Th older one could easily kill the baby one. Are they both boys or one of each? The territory belongs to the older one and even if a play tub it is still his and he will attack another hamster who enters it. I'd say he is much to old to be paired up to live with another. If they are male and female then the female is too young to pair up too and it is not wise to breed without full pedigrees.
Just keep them totally separate to avoid a horrible fight. It is also very stressful for them to have another one brought in as well as being dangerous. They don't need cage mates or playdates. They are quite happy alone.

bitsyandgandalf · 01-11-2016, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

You should never try and introduce hamsters of such different ages especially if one is so much older. Th older one could easily kill the baby one. Are they both boys or one of each? The territory belongs to the older one and even if a play tub it is still his and he will attack another hamster who enters it. I'd say he is much to old to be paired up to live with another. If they are male and female then the female is too young to pair up too and it is not wise to breed without full pedigrees.
Just keep them totally separate to avoid a horrible fight. It is also very stressful for them to have another one brought in as well as being dangerous. They don't need cage mates or playdates. They are quite happy alone.

They are both males, No hamster has marked territory in the tub since none of the hamsters has been inside that tub before.
Is there a way I could let them meet sometimes?

Pebbles82 · 01-11-2016, 08:02 AM

I think Souffle has given the information there. Two hamsters will fight to the death. They will both consider the enclosure to be their territory, whether they have scent marked it or not. It's a dangerous thing to do. The only way two hamsters can co-exist is if they are dwarf hamsters, and brother or sister pairings that have been together since birth.

So no - they can't meet! Sorry - I know you want them to be pals but it's too dangerous. You are their pal! Individually. Hamsters are solitary creatures.

souffle · 01-11-2016, 08:02 AM

The only time a male would normally accept another male is if it were his son and only about 4 weeks of age. It's not a natural situation for them to live with another unrelated male and Gandalf is, in my opinion, too old to accept this youngster.
Squabbling is basically fighting but not too badly. It can escalate in to full blown fighting with injuries.

Shannonmcn · 01-11-2016, 08:04 AM

I agree with souffle, best to keep them separate. They will not enjoy meeting eachother, they will be used to their own space and territory and seeing another male will just stress them out as they both try and get this stranger away from their home, even if the tub is more neutral territory they will both try and claim it. There is no reason or benefit to them ever meeting. It only risks stress, fights, injury and perhaps even death, you cannot guarantee you will be able to separate them before a serious injury happens, it only takes a second.

bitsyandgandalf · 01-11-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

The only time a male would normally accept another male is if it were his son and only about 4 weeks of age. It's not a natural situation for them to live with another unrelated male and Gandalf is, in my opinion, too old to accept this youngster.
Squabbling is basically fighting but not too badly. It can escalate in to full blown fighting with injuries.

Oh, well thats sad

Thanks for helping anyways

bitsyandgandalf · 01-11-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I think Souffle has given the information there. Two hamsters will fight to the death. They will both consider the enclosure to be their territory, whether they have scent marked it or not. It's a dangerous thing to do. The only way two hamsters can co-exist is if they are dwarf hamsters, and brother or sister pairings that have been together since birth.

So no - they can't meet! Sorry - I know you want them to be pals but it's too dangerous. You are their pal! Individually. Hamsters are solitary creatures.

They are dwarf hamsters.

Pebbles82 · 01-11-2016, 08:07 AM

It's ok - they are probably both very happy in their individual cages! And they are both probably in love with you

And not in need of another hamster.

bitsyandgandalf · 01-11-2016, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It's ok - they are probably both very happy in their individual cages! And they are both probably in love with you

And not in need of another hamster.

Okay, I just feel sorry for Bitsy, He seems very stressed and scared. He even had a nightmare earlier. It feels like he misses his friends in the petshop