Co-housing dwarfs

[Whisky]

Hi guys, wasn't sure which topic this belonged in, so I hope it's okay here.

The pet store where I work got a batch of baby Campbell's dwarf hamsters two weeks ago, and there's a pair I'm very taken with. They're both very sweet and tame, and seem to get along quite happily in a small cage. I've been toying with the idea of getting another dwarf hamster after my much-loved Koosh passed away in October, and I've thought in the past about trying co-housing. I feel like these two would be good candidates.

I just wanted to know what the popular opinion re: cohabbing dwarfs is, and how to best set them up for success. My main question is what to house them in. I have two spare tanks at the moment (so there'll be one on hand if they need separating, but I would really like for them to live together). The tanks are a 20 gallon (~60x30cm), and a 40 gallon (~90x45cm). Reading through some of the older topics here, I've seen people suggest keeping them in a smaller tank where there's less to get territorial over, and my gut says that's a good idea. I can still fit two wheels, two bottles, multiple hides, etc in the 20 (I'm also wondering about using a single food dish wide enough for both to sit in, versus two smaller dishes). Could they ever be upgraded to the 40, if I start them in the 20? I want them to be happy and I really want them to be happy together.

I haven't decided for sure whether I'm going to bring them home yet, but I'd really like some opinions and advice before I do, if I do. Anyone have success stories for me? Their names are Peanut Butter and Anchovy, btw. (:

[cypher]

I haven't kept dwarfs together myself but the people who do successfully do seem to do better with smaller cages so I think your 20 gallon tank would definitely be best.
You've obviously given some thought to what they need as a pair so the only the I would say is that generally it's better to scatter feed rather than use bowls, even with two bowls the more dominant ham can prevent the more submissive one from getting adequate food & scatter feeding reduces any risk of that.
Whether you'd ever be able to upgrade them is hard to say, many pairs begin to fall out as they mature anyway & often need separating, if that didn't happen it's possible the stress of a cage change & upgrade could cause them to fall out.
It is possible for them to live out their lives together but I think you just have to take it step by step, see how it goes & be prepared for anything!

[Fluffagrams]

I've had a small amount of experience of keeping a pair and they lived very happily together for over six months in what would probably be deemed as a smaller cage and from my understanding of introducing pairs for breeding and with long term keeping of pairs for co-habitation, it is better that they remain in slightly smaller accommodation rather than being upgraded.
Obviously you are aware of having two of everything and you will also need to avoid any levels in the cage as that can mean that one hamster could become territorial over it. I found that when I was pairing for mating that just dumping a large pile of food on the substrate worked well as both were able to access it.

You will need to keep an eye on them and if blood is being drawn or you notice that one is being bullied then you will need to separate them to prevent more serious injury. There are no guarantees that any of these suggestions will work and they may still fall out anyway, there's no easy way of telling.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[CMB]

I have only kept single dwarfs. But I wonder if they would be ok if they lived in the larger tank from the start.?

It would offer more space for hides, tubes and other toys and space away from each other if needed. A water supply at each end and scatter feeding to make it harder for the dominant one to prevent access to food and water.

[Whisky]

Thanks guys! Scatter feeding seems so messy... but if it works!

CMB: I've thought about that too. I mean, I would like for them to live in the larger tank - it's the reason I bought a 40 gallon, for my dwarfs. But I think there's more opportunity for them to spend time apart and then have a squabble when they bump into each other again. I'm also worried if I put them in the 40 and they start fighting, putting them in the 20 won't fix it. I think I could fit everything and still provide enrichment for them in the 20. I have a playpen they could spend time in, too.

Which leads me to another question... is it better to always take them out at the same time? At work I know if I lift one dwarf out of a cage and put him back, his cagemates (we house them in a max of 3 together) usually flock over and start grabbing and sniffing him. I try to take care not to handle one without then petting the others so they all smell like me, but Peanut Butter and Anchovy never seem bothered at all - like if I've just been cuddling one and the other wakes up and comes trundling out of the hide, he'll barely spare his brother a glance. But then, most of our dwarfs are quite resentful of hands and humans, and Peanut Butter and Anchovy are both tame and will crawl all over my hands, so my smell may not offend them, lol. Still, do I push it? If one's fast asleep and the other is out and active, would letting him run around on my bed for a bit then bother the other?

Anchovy is definitely the stronger personality - Peanut Butter is a very passive little blob of ham, from what I've observed. When they first arrived, I saw a couple of squabbles, always instigated by Anchovy, and Peanut Butter holds his own, but he doesn't seem to start anything. They're both largely mellow and I haven't seen any bickering since the first couple days, and that might have just been play. I'm hoping that having one (hopefully benevolent) boss ham and one easy-going submissive will make for a good cage dynamic.

[AmityvilleHams]

It is entirely possible for pairs to fall out,and if anything it seems much more likely than having a pair successfully stay together their entire life.Since they're most likely relatively young,it is hard to say for sure what might happen when hormones start coming into play as that is something which can break up seemingly happy pairs

[cypher]

Scatter feeding may seem a bit messy but it's a much more natural way for them to forage for food & more fun for them too!

You're right about the space, the more they have the greater the chance they will claim territories & end up fighting.

I would get both out at once if you can, if you keep handling one at a time it could cause problems.
Once you get into a routine of interacting around the same time each evening they get used to it & will most likely both be awake at the same time.

[Whisky]

Well, I gave the boys a home for Christmas... Couldn't resist those little faces forever!

They're all set up in the 20 gallon and having loads of fun making tunnels and burrows - they've never had so much bedding! They seem to sleep a lot, but I remember Koosh and my current dwarf Tinker spending a lot of time asleep as babies too. I mostly see them (if I can find them) sleeping in separate places. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about this, since when they wake up and come out, there never seems to be any animosity. I've seen them sitting and eating together (I've been scatter feeding - attached pic is from when they were at the store), and they seem to prefer running on different wheels, so there's been no squabbling.

I can't stand how tiny their tank is! They love it - it's more space than they had before - but I'm used to furnishing the 40 gallon tanks, and it looks so cramped to me. I'm thinking of upgrading them to a 20 gallon long (about 16cm longer than the current tank) just so I have a little more room to make their tank feel more natural and comfy without giving them too much space. I want to strike a balance between being able to keep them together and still provide a nice enriching habitat. I think it's worth having each other to interact with when I'm not there (especially if they're going to keep odd hours like they are right now), but I also think they could be happier in a longer tank without getting territorial. Like I said though... they certainly aren't complaining!

They're too sweet. They sit up like little meerkats when they see me, and climb on my hands. I hope I can give them the home they deserve. (:

[bekabee]

Oh so cute! I love how their names match their coloring. It sounds like you have a great set up and that they are settling in nicely.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I was just catching up on this thread, glad they found a home with you and they both look so sweet I've never owned a pair but I do house my dwarves in 20 gal tanks and I feel bad for Chloe that she had to live her whole life in a 20 gal tank.

As they grow I'd upgrade them to the 40 gal tank, it won't take long. I once brought home a pair and put them in a 15 gal long tank but after 3 days they were fighting so I had to separate them. If I had given them more space there would be less of a chance of them feeling crowded (they look crowded). So I guess I did own a pair for 3 days lol

I would put lots of hidey huts and fill up the space with tunnels and toys. Good luck and have lots of fun with them. Hope all works out well and they become a bonded pair in no time.