Should I adopt him a friend....

RodentsRule · 07-03-2014, 06:41 AM

Hey I have a robo who is about a year and he currently lives in a mini duna but im upgrading him into a mini duna multy in the next couple of weeks. Ive had him for 6 months and hes still not tame and doesnt come out till the lights are turned off so im debating on adopting him a friend for pets@Home I have space if they ended up fighting but hopefully it wouldnt go to that. So should I get him a buddy or not.

**DrKMcK** · 07-03-2014, 06:54 AM

No. I can't be more forthright than that. Pairs are hard enough when they have been together since babyhood, or are a father son - mother daughter pairing when the son/daughter is newly weaned. The risks to either hamster are very high if you put another hammie in with yours. Hamsters have no problem living alone and are quite content doing their own thing. I'd leave him be.

jemmalg · 07-03-2014, 06:55 AM

I'd say if he's always lived alone it's best to keep it that way. Introducing can be risky and it could really stress him out having to live with a stranger when he's been used to his own space!

racinghamster · 07-03-2014, 10:36 AM

A definite `No` RodentsRule. Single dwarf hamsters are best kept that way, believe me. I`m sure you have already read about this on here in various threads? Your roborovski would attack a newcomer, regardless of whether he was younger or not. My last robo Rocky was in a similar situation. His previous owner thought it a good idea to go to Pets At Home and buy a baby robo as a `friend` for Rocky. Bad idea. Rocky attacked the youngster and he was the one separated out and plonked in a plastic box, unwanted.

Nice eh? Keep the baby and boot out the instigator?

But Rocky then came to live with me so all was not lost. All I`m saying is, don`t risk the health and safety of your existing robo. What`s his name anyway?

He`s not tame because most robos are not. Granted, some will sit on a hand or happily be held, but not many will.

RodentsRule · 07-03-2014, 11:47 AM

His name is buttons and ok I wont get him a friend I just feel that I cant give him much tame and attention due to him not being tame.

**DrKMcK** · 07-03-2014, 11:53 AM

Buttons was the name of our Collie when I was young.

There are members here on HC who have hammies like yours. He's a "look don't touch" ham. He'll be quite happy as long as he has his water, food and treats and a nice home.

racinghamster · 07-03-2014, 12:37 PM

Try not to put human emotions in. Hamsters don`t care if they have company. Nine times out of ten they end up fighting and need separating and those are usually hams that have been together from birth!

Buttons will be a typical robo, racing about doing what he likes! If he has a decent wheel, good digging, a nice cosy nest and his food and water, he will be happy enough. And even hamsters who are paired up require a lot of supervision, so applying that time and frequency would beat most people these days with busy lives. x

**Pompompoms** · 07-03-2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodentsRule

His name is buttons and ok I wont get him a friend I just feel that I cant give him much tame and attention due to him not being tame.

Buttons is a lovely name, I'm glad you have chosen to keep him alone, as honestly with the age he is, and the age you would be able to get another robo at it would likely be very tricky to settle a pair, especially is you haven't attempted this before.
Buttons will be absolutely fine, and I'm sure he'll love zooming around his new cage. He will be as interactive as he is comfortable to be, although most robos will eventually be happy to come and get a treat from you, and get used to your voice meaning something tasty is coming