Little hamster attacks big one

Meiínha · 09-20-2011, 12:20 PM

Hello hamsterfriends!

I have got a BIG problem! A cousin of mine bought a female dwarf hamster which is about a month old but she couldn't keep it and because I have a big heart for hamsters I adopted it. The thing is, my other female dwarf hamster,Meiínha, is 2 months old and is a real coward. I have bought a bigger cage, added plenty of toys, 2 food bowls, 2 wheels etc..
So when I tried to introduce them, of course they started fighting and I separated them. I have tried to separate the cage in the middle, put them in two different cages but close enough to smell one another but it didn't work out. I have looked closely at the hamsters fighting and I recognized that the big hamster is just lying on her back pretending to be dead and squeaking while the little hamster attacks her. She doesn't run away nor fights back. What can I do?

**Roxie** · 09-20-2011, 02:14 PM

It's going to be very difficult to get them to live together as they are not litter mates.

Honestly, I'd keep them both in their own, seperate cage. They'll be perfectly happy on their own

Munch · 09-20-2011, 02:14 PM

Hamsters are not social, and should be kept in one cage per hamster. Otherwise they can end up killing each other - in worst case scenario.

**Roxie** · 09-20-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munch

Hamsters are not social, and should be kept in one cage per hamster. Otherwise they can end up killing each other - in worst case scenario.

Some hamsters can live together happily, such as Robos and some dwarfs do live happily in pairs. Robos are very social creatures. The best results come from housing litter mates together.

SnickersTheFirst · 09-20-2011, 02:19 PM

Not all hamsters will get on I'm afraid, it seems to be getting harder and harder to house dwarf species together for some reason. I'd seperate them if I were you.

Munch · 09-20-2011, 02:28 PM

I Denmark we always say "better safe than sorry" and keep our hamsters apart.

I do know there are exceptions to all rules, but we are a little afraid of they will slay eachother, so "one cage, one hamster" is the best advice for new or non experienced hamster owners where I come from.

gellerbing · 09-20-2011, 02:56 PM

like everyone else has said id keep them seperate to be on the safe side

**hobopotato** · 09-20-2011, 05:29 PM

A hamster lying on its back is actually in an aggressive defense state.