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Old 04-13-2016, 04:13 AM   #1
Little Luna's Mum
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Default Introduction and Advice

Hello,
Firstly I would like to introduce Custard and Cracker.
They are our Syrian Hamster Niggles Brothers. We have been keeping an eye on them in the pet shop for some time. They only had wood shavings food and water, no bedding or toys and just seemed to sleep all the time.
When Niggle had his second birthday last month we decided it was time to see if we could help these guys out.
The pet shop were very happy to see them go and we got a buy one half price and get the other free deal!!!
Here they are.


I would like to point out that this set up is only temporary while they settled in.
This is where the advice comes in.
We have since added a floor to the cage and a better sleeping area.
Our intention was to split them up when we could get another bin cage made up but they seem to get on so well.
They sleep and eat together and follow each other everywhere. They wait to take turns on the wheel (which they learned to use on day one!) and even cue for the loo!
I know Syrian Hamsters should not live together but as they have been together for so long and seem to get on so well would it be a bad idea to split them up? They are looking much better now and have allowed us to handle them and even brush them.
Niggle was very disappointed when we came back from the pet shop with his brothers and not Birthday presents.
They are such lovely hamsters and we really want to do the best thing for them so any advice would be really appreciated
Many Thanks.
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Old 04-13-2016, 04:18 AM   #2
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

They will be much safer and healthier alone.Eventually,they will either get stressed from an unnatural living situation and get ill or fight.Both could lead to death,and it is never worth risking the welfare of an animal's life.

They will be much better off alone,and it is very clear that you do care!However,the best thing to do is just separate them immediately.
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Old 04-13-2016, 04:47 AM   #3
souffle
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

You need to separate them LM. They are only together as they are still quite young. They still have baby faces and coats there and they have never known anything else. Any day soon their hormones will kick in and there could well be a huge fight. The coats are hormone driven and as you can see those are getting quite long now so they are maturing quickly. I'd do it very soon. The longest we have had males together (siblings) is 10 weeks which was quite a while. Females will start to bicker at 5 weeks or so when they start coming in to heat.
Do it now then you can relax and know they are safe. Remember no play dates etc as soon as they are separated. That's it - batchelor life!
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Old 04-13-2016, 04:59 AM   #4
Little Luna's Mum
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

Thanks Guys.
But that is the dilemma as they are now over 2 years old and have been together all of this time. I know normally they should live apart but at this age I am unsure if that would be the best thing. I don't want to shock them too much as they seem to rely on each other for everything.
Looking at the picture I can see why you may think they are young (they look much older in real life!!)
Thanks again.
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:03 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

Hi. They look lovely Are you sure they are two years old? I'm guessing that is what the pet shop has said. Although you did say you had been going to look at them there for a long time. It seems a long time to be in a pet shop! I'll let someone more experienced answer though because it's a bit of an unusual one!
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:25 AM   #6
pinkneon
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

Hi and welcome to HC! They do need to be separated. Are you sure they are 2 years old? They look quite young to me, though I'm not an expert!
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:31 AM   #7
Little Luna's Mum
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

Thanks, yes it is an unusual one.
The pet shop told us they were 18 months old that is why we got them cheap. We have been visiting the pet shop since we got Niggle and we are sure they have been in there since then (a little over 2 years ago)
Thanks - the advice you guys give on here is always so good we really appreciate it.
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:37 AM   #8
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I'd say separate them.Even if it does seem that they're doing fine,it is not natural and cause so much stress that it's a wonder they're not already both dead No matter what,Syrian hamsters should never be housed together.
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:51 AM   #9
Little Luna's Mum
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

Thats the last thing we want. We got them to try and make their lives a little better, even if we don't have them for very long.
I know once they are separated there is no going back and don't want them to miss each other but if its the best thing for them - thats what we will do.
Thanks again.
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Old 04-13-2016, 11:18 AM   #10
souffle
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Default Re: Introduction and Advice

They never look that age LLM! Are you sure?
Look at the ears. At 2 years old they should be bald and shiny. Do they have any fine hair on the ears?
Also the coats look really plush and not tatty and balding like an older ham normally does?
It has to be your decision in the end. I have heard to very rare pair stay together so it is remotely possible.
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shop, advice, time, pet, niggle, birthday, hamsters, sleep, cage, split, syrian, brothers, turns, wheel, day, learned, appreciated, made, thing, wait, follow, eat, cue, bad, idea

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