Meet Daisy and Lola!!!

fluffybumolivia · 05-06-2017, 02:57 PM

Since my last thread on HC, my sweetest Hamish passed over to rainbow bridge on 23rd August 2016. We decided to wait a while before getting anymore hamsters and I was going to try and buy a Winter White later this year/ early next year. Being the hamster obsessive I am, I always check the local classified sites just to see what's up for sale. Yesterday I stumbled upon two girl dwarf (I presume hybrid) hamsters and I just couldn't let them go. So this afternoon, we welcomed Daisy and Lola into our family!!

They were rescued from a family who were bored and didn't want them anymore (after a short time of having them). They said they are 10 weeks old, but didn't seem very interested in them and literally dropped them at the doorstep and left - I didn't even get a chance to ask them their names! I decided to name them Lola and Daisy and I'm so happy with them!

They came in a Duna Mini, the smallest silent spinner, two hideouts, a whimzee (I was very surprised by this!), two tiny bowls and a water bottle. I am 100% going to change this and am planning a nice bin cage for them but I though it would be best to let them settle in first as I'd like to keep them together if I can. They also gave me another "large" pets at Home house and tubes, a tiny ball and some fluffy bedding which will be going straight in the bin (not the cage, I'm going to sell this as a travel cage as I already have a spare/travel cage).

I think they get on okay, they have squeaked a bit but it didn't sound violent and they were snuggled up together asleep (obviously I'm prepared incase I do need to split them up). I want to move them into a new house asap as their set up is not adequate but I'm not sure how long to leave it before moving them as I think the whole thing could be quite stressful.

If anyone has any tips or advice on keeping a pair, moving them into a new house or anything else, it would be much appreciated! I did try and attach some photos but they were too large but I'll try and get some up soon!

Welcome Daisy and Lola!

Drago · 05-06-2017, 05:40 PM

Congrats on these two! Good on you for rescuing them from that situation, I'm sure they're going to have an absolutely amazing home with you.

For pairs, you're going to want to scatter feed to avoid one hogging all the food in the bowl(s) and to give both hamsters an equal chance at getting food. You'll also want to have two of just about everything. Two wheels, two water bottles (if possible), two of every treat, etc. You're also going to want to make sure all the hideouts you have, have two exits so your pair can't corner one another in a hideout with no escape. Make sure to avoid shelves and levels as well as modular cages so they don't become territorial and fight. As you already seem to be, always be prepared for a fallout by having a seperate and adequately sized bin available in case things get rough. Though there's no harm in separating them even if they're not fighting, for their mental well-being and to eliminate the chance of a fallout. Good luck with these two, looking forward to hearing how things go with them

Hamsterita · 05-07-2017, 09:39 AM

It's so nice of you to re-home them! Congratulations!

I'm glad they seem to get along, but keep an eye on them when you change the cage, that can be really stresful for them and create problems. Drago has already gave you great advice too.

Looking forward to know more about them!

fluffybumolivia · 05-07-2017, 04:24 PM

Drago - Thank you for your advice, it's much appreciated! I will gradually transfer them over to scatter feeding and they will have two of everything once I've got their new house. I've noticed that Daisy is definitely more dominant over Lola. She gets up first, eats and runs on their original wheel most of the time. Tonight it has taken Lola a lot longer to get out of bed and I have only seen her a few times. To try and make things more even until I have all their new things/ home, I have put a tissue box (and some shredded tissue) with a second hole cut in and my spare wheel so they have two houses and two wheels, along with a few new chews.

Lola has had a go on my spare wheel which is good as I'm not sure whether she had much of a spin on their one as Daisy is on it all the time! Lola has also been in the tissue box and slept for a while.

Hamsterita - Thank you! That's what I'm worried about, I plan on cleaning them out a few days before I move them so I can put all of their bedding in the new house so it is more familiar to them.

I'm going to just keep a close eye on them and see whether the addition of the wheel and hideout makes a difference in Lola's confidence and activeness. If she doesn't seem to be any more content/ settled then I will consider separating them as I want them to have an equally fulfilling life. They were both in the tissue box and seemed to be talking at a lower pitch to each other, Daisy soon got up, had a nibble and went back on their wheel. Now they are both spinning!

Drago · 05-07-2017, 04:34 PM

Sounds like you're doing all the right things so far

I think what you plan on doing is great too. Please keep us updated on how they're settling!

Thin Lizzy · 05-07-2017, 07:34 PM

Congratulations on Daisy & Lola, they sound adorable. Good on you rescuing them from the family who got bored of them.(makes my blood boil reading that).
They are in safe hands and a forever home with yourself.

BorisPasha · 05-08-2017, 01:22 AM

Sorry to hear about Hamish and congrats on Daisy and Lola. Well done for rescuing them and I look forward to hearing and seeing more about them

fluffybumolivia · 05-08-2017, 02:17 PM

Thank you for all your comments,
Unfortunately this evening they have been squabbling quite a bit and I think that although I added another wheel and bed last night, Daisy is still more protective over everything. In one of their squabbles, Daisy went for Lola and even though I don't think Lola was hurt, she was sort of laying on her side in defence. Now they are both in the same bed and have been squeaking (not too violently) at each other but I can't see if they are fighting. I'm just preparing my spare cage now and I think that it is best if I separate them. I really wanted them to work together but I'm not sure it is fair on Lola if I do keep them together. It's also making me anxious everytime I hear a squeak!

When I separate them, do you think it would be better if I move Lola (shy, less dominant) into the spare cage or Daisy (dominant and outgoing) in to the spare one? I will add some bedding into the spare house from their current house to make it more familiar. I only rescued them two days ago but that 'fight' where Lola was on her side has made me think they'll be better off separated before it gets worse.

Pebbles82 · 05-08-2017, 03:06 PM

I'm no expert on dwarf hammies but I would move Lola - the less dominant one. It will be a fresh start for her. If she stays in the same cage it will still smell of Daisy and maybe remind her of Daisy being there generally. But maybe I'm analysing too much!

Shame you're having to separate them, but it sounds for the best - I expect the change of environment has unsettled them a bit and maybe they were about to need separating anyway.

Drago · 05-08-2017, 03:42 PM

I agree with serendipity, moving Lola would probably be best so that she doesn't have the scent of Daisy in the cage still. I also think Daisy wouldn't appreciate having to mark a whole new territory after feeling confident in the one she has.

Sorry to hear they're going to be seperated, but like said above, it's likely for the best. Pairs aren't natural anyways so rest assured they'll be much happier once on their own. Make sure you keep us updated on how they're adjusting to a life alone