Hamster separation :(

[ccarts]

Hi, I need some help and advice.

My partner and I have had our 2 boy Hamsters for a little under a year now. They've always been in the same cage as one another and we've never had any problems. The last couple of weeks we've been hearing a lot of squeaking and to be honest, thought it was just play fighting. We handle them everyday and they get exercise in their playpen as well.
About 2 days ago we noticed one of them is injured.

We asked for advice in Pets at Home and they said usually they'd suggest separation, but found it weird that even though they were fighting they still snuggled up and slept together. They've booked us in for a vets appointment to have him checked out.

I came home from work today and have noticed that the same one now has a little cut on his nose. So I made the decision to separate them I'm really gutted if I'm honest and slightly worried I've made the wrong decision and just wondered if anyone could offer any advice and answer some questions because we're still new to keeping hamsters.

I've put their cages next to each other so they can still see/smell and hear each other; is that alright?

Will they ever be able to be re-introduced, maybe when they other one is better and healed or is that it now?

Can we still let them play and socialise together in the playpen with our supervision? This may be a really stupid question but I just wondered if because they may know each other still, or does that not make a difference with them?

This all may be really simple stuff but I just wanted to get some help and clarification from others.

Thanks for any help and sorry for the long-winded post!!

[cypher]

Sorry you've had to separate your boys after they have done well together for so long but it really isn't uncommon for them to fall out as they get older & they will often still sleep together between squabbles, you made absolutely the right decision, once injuries occur you really can't keep them together any longer.
Once separated they do need to be kept apart, no playing together & they can't be reintroduced, they will be aware of each other & may still actually have a kind of bond but they would be very likely to fight & find it stressful if you tried to give them actual contact again.
They really will be fine living alone now so try not to worry, it can take them a while to adjust & get used to being alone but once settled again they will be fine.

[ccarts]

Thanks so much for replying. Like I said I'm so gutted they have to be apart but I'd be more gutted if anything else happened to them. Just to clarify, is it still okay for their cages to be near each other so theyre sort of nearby each other?

To be honest It was always difficult to have them in the playpen together because one of them learnt how to somehow scale the side and get out!! haha.

I do feel better knowing you think we did the right thing, thanks again for the advice I really appreciate it

[cypher]

I can imagine how you feel but try to focus on what is right for them, basically they're all grown up now & just want their own space, I'm sure they'll be thanking you for what you've done

I think you'll just have to see how they settle right next to each other, they should certainly be fine in the same room & may be happy to stay close but if one or the other doesn't seem to be settling well or either show any signs of stress then you may need to move them apart a bit more, give it a little time & see.

[Fluffagrams]

They may take some time getting used to being apart to begin with but once they've fallen out and one is getting injured it really is for the best to keep them apart.

Some hamsters are happy to live in close proximity to others and I have four (two males and two females) living in fairly close proximity to each other in my hamster room and they're happy with that but whenever I used to look after my sister's Russian hamster, I had to keep her over the other side of the room as she seemed to be bothered being in close proximity to my liveliest girl. She wasn't used to being around other hamsters though and as yours are used to each others scents they may very well be fine but it's still worth keeping an eye on them to see how they settle for now.

[ccarts]

Thanks everyone is there any particular behavour we should be keeping an eye out for? The injured one is sort of feeling sorry for himself at the moment and is a bit jumpy but they both still seem really active.

[ccarts]

Hey guys! Just thought I'd update you on our boys.

Sven's injury is looking loads better and his fur is looking so much better too. He's coming out a lot more now and we picked him up today and he didn't squeak or anything which was really great.

They made eye contact today as their cages are still next to each other but all in all they both seem really happy

Just wanted to say thanks to you again for the help and advice.

[Pebbles82]

Glad they are doing better I'm sure Sven will gain more and more confidence now.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I'm glad that Sven is doing better as well. They won't get lonely living apart if your wondering that. My hamsters all live apart and they are perfectly content. Except my 2 Chinese live together for now. No signs of anything going wrong or I'd separate in a minute.

[Drago]

Good to hear they are doing well and settling into a life of separate living. I hope everything continues going well