Introduction and Advice

[Little Luna's Mum]

I think the picture may be a bit misleading as they do look a lot older in real life.
Custard, the cream ones, ears are very tatty and bald and he has very dry flaky skin. He is very slow and sleeps all the time.
Crackers hair on his back is thinning but he seems to be the most active of the two. His ears are much the same as Niggles - not much sign of hair.
They both have very long yellow teeth.
They both seem happy and I think they are having a better life than they did in the pet shop.
I will continue to keep a close eye on them but we do have a spare cage if we need it.
I am really torn as if what the pet shop said is true and they are at least 18 months old then they may not be around for much longer anyway. We are so sure they are over 2 years old as we have regularly visited them in the shop. They have settled so well and we are starting to see their characters develop and their general health improve.
Thanks again everyone for all your advice.

[flowerfairy]

What an amazing story. I hope new territory doesnt cause a fight, although it doesn't seem to have done so far.

They are soo beautiful. Funnily enough i just brought home a hamster today who has been in a petshop for over a year, hope your two continue to enjoy their newly exciting life!

[Little Luna's Mum]

Thanks and congrats to your new addition.

[Rsclio197]

They do look like they are still young to be honest and I'm no expert. Their coat looks so soft and that almost definitely wouldn't be the case at 2 years old. Are you sure the staff in the shop didn't say 2 months old? I don't mean to sound insulting so I apologise.

I certainly wouldn't risk them living together because there's every chance you could wake up to at least 1 seriously injured little boy.

My apologies. I only read page 1 of the thread.

They're gorgeous hams and I'm amazed if they really are 2 years old that they can live like that!

[pinkneon]

I'm wondering whether it may be good to have 2 of everything if you do want to keep them together? I know with dwarf hamsters you need 2 of everything. I think it stops them becoming territorial or something

[Cinnamon Bear]

It may be an idea to visit the vet to check their teeth if they are too long, they can be safely clipped by the vet.

[Pebbles82]

A vet might be able to age them more accurately maybe? It does seem unusual. But not impossible I guess. Is it possible it was a different pair at some point that looked similar? Pet shops say all kinds of things sometimes to sell hamsters

But going on the basis that you are sure they are that old, I don't know what to say really other than ask a vet maybe. It's a difficult one for you - you don't want the risk of them fighting, but if they are old you don't want to cause them the stress of being alone if they're not used to it and are ageing. Very difficult one.

Not sure long yellow teeth means anything though - they all have yellow teeth and the top ones tend to be long I believe.

I think I would be tempted to try separating them - maybe just try it out for a night. But I think I'd also want a vet to check them over and give an opinion first too.

[Thin Lizzy]

I'm speechless! 2 years old, looking at the pic they just don't look that old.
They start of with white teeth and they're usually yellow by the time they become an adult at 6 months.

[Little Luna's Mum]

Thanks again everyone. Some really good advice. We have tried to give them 2 of everything apart from the wheel which they take turns in using. They have the space to sleep apart but choose to share the bedding area even storing their food in the same corner.
They have both been chewing on their wood blocks so their teeth are looking better.
The pet shop told us they were 18 months old (not sure why they would have increased their age to get us to buy them) but we are sure they are the same hamsters that have been in the shop all that time as we visit regularly. They are fully grown and weigh about 160g each.
We did separate them for a short while on cleaning day and they were a little upset until we put them back together.
I hate the thought of separating them as they have been together for so long and would miss each other but also would feel really bad if they did one day have a fight.
Thanks again.

[Little Luna's Mum]

Hello again,
I thought I would add a few photos that better reflect how they really look. Its cleaning day thats why they are in the playpen.
It was hard to get them to stay still!!
The cream one, Custard, has very dry skin but it is improving and his tummy is almost bald.
Crackers hair is thinning but is not dry.
As I said their health seems to be improving each day.