separating hamsters

Gero · 04-25-2019, 06:28 AM

Hi, I have a question regarding if I should separate my hamsters, I have two female Roborovskim they have being leaving together for the last 4 months, they get along fine I think, but I notice that one of them uses mostly all of the toys and the other does not, and we get worried that is because the other one has already claim all of the toys and stuff.

I really don't like the idea of having them being separated since they do sleep and eat together but if I do separate them and I see no change, can I put them back together?

mangoandmimi · 04-25-2019, 12:59 PM

You're going to have to judge if there is dominant behaviour or not. Chances are if you are having doubts then you already know what's best for them. Don't worry about them sleeping and eating together, they'll still often do that even if they're fighting. Once separated you cannot re introduce them but you shouldn't let that factor affect your decision.

The other thing is they aren't roborovskis - well the second one certainly isn't, the first isn't so obvious but it looks like she potentially has red eyes?

imawizard · 04-25-2019, 01:26 PM

Have you noticed any other behaviours such as chasing, food guarding etc? Normally if they've shed blood then separate immediately.

I agree with mangoandmimi the second picture looks more like a Russian dwarf hybrid (a mixture of Campbell's and winter white)

Shannonmcn · 04-25-2019, 02:23 PM

Yeah neither of those hams are robos. That doesn't change much about their care so no worries really but it does say a little something about wherever you got them from!

Keeping hams together is not necessary for them. Seeing them sleep and eat together can be very sweet but they are only really semi-social animals at the best of times and don't need companionship like a gerbil or a rat does. If you're already worried about them it might be better for your own peace of mind to separate them asap before something happens that could leave someone with an injury. They will honestly both be fine and the possibly-bullied one may well come out of her shell and be much happier.