to pair or not to pair?

bambithehamster · 12-20-2015, 04:53 PM

unfortunately, bambi died a couple weeks ago, aged 1 and a bit, from an unknown cause (although i am leaning toward pyometra).

despite the fact i haven't got over her passing, i can't help but wonder what hamsters i might get in the foreseeable future.
i have been deliberating a bit whether to get robos or russian dwarfs, and whether to pair them up or not. i would be willing for the extra work, but having a pair scares me a bit because of potential fighting.

as well as this, does anyone know whether the rumours over females being more territorial is true? my friend keeps telling me that females are smellier and more eager to fight but i am reluctant to believe it.

as always, replies are greatly appreciated. thank you.

cypher · 12-20-2015, 11:27 PM

Personally I would go for a single robo or russian, keeping a pair does take a lot of thought getting the set up right to help avoid them falling out but even with the best environment they do need close supervision as more often than not they do seem to fall out as they mature & tend to want their own space more, if you only have the one you can concentrate on giving it a good life & forming a good bond with it without the stress & worry a pair might bring!
I don't think you can really say females are more territorial or eager to fight or not, I have found males to be a bit more laid back but each one is so individual you really have no way of knowing either way until you get them.

racinghamster · 12-21-2015, 02:27 AM

I never encourage keeping a pair due to the facts you mentioned. Falling out, the stress of not being able to watch them 24/7. I`m sorry to hear you lost your recent female. I only keep male hamsters as I just prefer them although I wouldn`t turn away a female dwarf hamster if she needed a good home. I would recommend looking for an adopted hamster from Pets At Home or one of the online sites like Gumtree as there are usually quite a few being dumped at this time of year sadly. Robos are furiously fast and more `watchable` pets, but very easy to keep and so much fun! Russian dwarfs similarly, but obviously bigger and little bears in comparison, although they can have a reputation for being nippy, I`m not sure that`s fair as all hamsters can be nippy. It`s the way you treat them and respect their ways.

Enjoy your next hamster whatever they may be. But adopting/rescue is the way to go. x

bambithehamster · 12-21-2015, 03:24 AM

Thanks for your replies, I think I'll stick to one hamster again. I'll check in Pets At Home Adoption, and I think the species and sex will be dependent on whats there. I think racinghamster is right about adoption, it would certainly be nice to get a hamster that wasn't wanted by it's previous owner.

racinghamster · 12-21-2015, 05:11 AM

All of mine have been cast-offs! Loved them all and was happy in the knowledge that I gave them a better life. Second chance (and even third chance!) hamsters can be just as rewarding as buying a baby hamster. The challenges are much the same really, only you get the sense of achievement more with a rescue as you have recycled a hamster!!!

Good luck with your search ad I`m sure PAH will have a few dwarfies in their adoption area. What are you most leaning towards, a robo or a Russian or are you not too fussy? x

flowerfairy · 12-21-2015, 06:38 AM

I agree re; just having one (that was my intention but my heart got in the way. I now have two who had to be separated).

Robos are supposed to be harder to tame but by no means impossible. Guess you just go in and see who you fall in love with.

bambithehamster · 12-21-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

All of mine have been cast-offs! Loved them all and was happy in the knowledge that I gave them a better life. Second chance (and even third chance!) hamsters can be just as rewarding as buying a baby hamster. The challenges are much the same really, only you get the sense of achievement more with a rescue as you have recycled a hamster!!!

Good luck with your search ad I`m sure PAH will have a few dwarfies in their adoption area. What are you most leaning towards, a robo or a Russian or are you not too fussy? x

Hmm, I am leaning towards a Robo, but I don't have very fast reflexes, so I am scared of possible escaping. For that reason, I don't really know, but then again I think I'm going to just see what they have and see who I fall in love with

kittokitty · 12-21-2015, 03:14 PM

Pairs rarely work out in my experience, and hearing the fights in the night even if it's just a normal play fight or squabble is really scary. Not to mention the cost of another cage.

If you mean paring two species together, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO xD that would end horribly ;-;

racinghamster · 12-22-2015, 08:59 AM

Roborovski hamsters are fast and yes, they do dart across the floor like a house spider if they escape! But on the plus side, they are quite independent little creatures and you really don`t have to stress too much about taming or handling one. Of course, progress comes with patience and time, but they are more for people who are not fussy about picking up and handling or removing the robo into a playpen. If you have a cage like the Zoozone 1 or similar size and a good fast, safe wheel, a robo will entertain itself.

Before I had my current Russian hybrid, I had two male robos at separate times. Both rehomed from owners owners. Rocky was a wimp and would run into a corner if I as feeding him or spot cleaning, while my last robo Fred was a bit more challenging and would run around and have a go at me for daring to enter his domain!

But that`s just a robo for you. Feisty, fast and fun.

Russian dwarf hamsters....well I`m only on my second Russian dwarf having adopted one quite a while back now and sadly lost him to ill health, but he wasn't young when I adopted him so I wasn`t sure of his age. Again, they like their own space, but re more approachable than a speedy robo! Patience again regarding handling/taming, but I find the more laid back you are about that, the better the partnership is. Trying too hard can set things back really and cause frustration, which you don`t want.

I would say list what you feel you really want and if you feel a robo isn`t for you, then choose the Russian. But let your heart (and head) guide you. Hamsters in adoption only want one thing. A nice cosy home and love. x