Help! Hamsters getting a little aggressive during heat!

[Pchatt]

Hello everyone!

I need some advice. I have two Syrian hamsters, one male and one female, housed in one room (in separate enclosures). Both the enclosures have floor spaces larger than 460 sq.in. (one is about 620 sq.in. and the other about 900 sq. in.). Recently, they both seem to go crazy at the same time (I believe when they are in heat?), biting the bars of their enclosures or chewing and pushing the wooden lid with wire mesh that covers the enclosure and even get a little aggressive when I try to play with them (I got bitten today after having and handling them for almost a year!). I do not have any other space in my apartment large enough to fit either of the enclosures, so I can't move them. I do not have any breeding experience, so do not want to take the chance by letting them get together. I feel so pained watching them run around like crazy and biting metal! I am afraid they will hurt themselves! What do I do?

[HamsterHaven2020]

I would say if they can see/smell each other then maybe put cardboard between there cages if they are close together as if they can see each other it can make them stressed and even more aggressive during this time. Sorry I can’t say much as I don’t know much on the topic but that is what I did between my 2 robos and it helped. Sending hugs for your hammies.

[LunaTheHamster1]

No, don't let them live together, they will breed and then obviously you will have more hamsters, which is not going to help the situation.

How have you got hem housed? are they next to each other, on top of each other?


Are you able to post photos of your setups so we can try and help?

[Pchatt]

They are on the opposite sides of a room. But the room is small enough that they can smell each other. I doubt they can see each other since hamsters do not have very good eyesight.