Robo Hamsters

Toodlepip · 05-29-2012, 02:30 PM

Hello....my 2 10 week old male robos are starting to behave strangely after living togehter happily until now. One has grown much bigger than other and is starting to show signs of dominating his little pal. I wuld say mild scuffles have begun and he also appears to be trying to mount the smaller one? Any advice? Should they be separated? Thanks for any help.

mangoandmimi · 05-29-2012, 02:42 PM

Scuffles are often inevitable with pairs, and there'll always be a dominant one. You can't stop it, they're like that. The general rule is that once blood is drawn, separation is required, but tbh i don't like to leave it that late.. you get the message when one/both of them is unhappy.
I'd keep them together as scuffles happen more often when they're young, once they've reached 'adulthood' they seem to settle down

That said, some pairs don't work out at all.. so it's really based on your 2

Toodlepip · 05-29-2012, 02:46 PM

Thanks....am new to this. Keeping a very close eye on them as dont want to unnecessarily separate them. No blood drawn as yet and the little one doesn't seem afraid of the bigger one.

souffle · 05-29-2012, 02:58 PM

Take care that the small one isn't being bullied so badly that he isn't getting any food or his fair share. It's also an idea to check the sexes. They could be a male and a female and the fat one may be pregnant. Always worth checking this if you had the pet shop sex them as they make lots of mistakes!
There is loads of great info about robos on moderator Tammy's website here
Oak Farm Rabbits and Rodents

Toodlepip · 05-30-2012, 02:26 PM

Bigger one is definitely trying to mount the samller one who doesnt like this! Is this normal at 10 weeks and does it settle down? Anyone got any advice......I'm all edge and not enjoying my little boys at minute!!!

billybobbs · 05-30-2012, 02:35 PM

If its worrying you this much and one is bullying the other then its probably best to seperate.
I had a bad experience once with two of my russians. They had to be seperated and were very happy after that.
Good luck whatever you decide to do and let us know.

Toodlepip · 05-30-2012, 02:41 PM

Thanks....little Pip doesn't seem unhappy or scared of Toodle and he's eating etc and one good thing is he can outrun him in their playpen. Just can't bear thought of him being terrorised but really wanted to keep them together for company. However may go get another cage tomorrow.

souffle · 05-30-2012, 02:44 PM

Is he doing it all the time? Are you sure that the small one isn't actually a female?
Mental stress is just as bad as physical injury but robos are very social. It may be a phase as they mature but I really would watch them very closely as you don't want them to go over the top. It can sometimes help to separate then re-intro when they are past the teenage stage.
There is likely to be a reason why one is so much smaller though and it may not be getting enough food.

billybobbs · 05-30-2012, 02:47 PM

Getting a spare cage is a very good idea. At least then if anything happens you are ready to seperate there and then.
I really hope they are happy together for as long as poss, I have two male chinese together and they seem really happy so far. Its only been a week or so, so like you...I'm on stand by.

Toodlepip · 05-30-2012, 02:52 PM

I'm not totally sure ...they were sold by pet shop as both males but as you said earlier i can imagine they make mistakes. These 2 dont seem to like being handled or maybe its my inexperience. Little Pip does appear to be eating plenty and they share the food dish no problem. Little Pip is a pied robo ...might these be smaller? Toodle isn't doing it all the time just when Pip seems to catch his attention. Can they be re-introduced? I thought once they had been separated for a period then it wasn't advisable to put them back together?