Sharing a Playpen?

Gemma_xo · 12-21-2015, 04:25 PM

NOTE: I am NOT going to put both Hamsters in the play pen at once. They WILL NOT be interacting in or out of the play pen. They were brought at totally different times and I will NEVER try and introduce them.

Right, now that's cleared up.
Can my Hamsters share a play pen and play pen toys or do I just need to buy a whole new play pen with new toys?

Pixie's already in a schedule of food at 9pm, in play pen at 10.15pm and out at 10.45pm, so Tinkerbell's schedule will be, food at 9, in playpen at 9.30 and out at 10.00pm. - Gives me enough time to wipe down any pee spills etc.

It may be a stupid question because I'm guessing the answer is yes, but I don't really want to stress either one out nor do I want territorial peeing matches or fisty cuffs resulting in teeth sinking into my fingers day in day out cause of one hamster smelling the other.

Thanks

x

**DrKMcK** · 12-21-2015, 08:13 PM

Hello Gemma. It shouldn't be a problem. I have had my hams be in separate playpens at the same time, right next to each other and had no problem. I've had them share one pen, first one ham and then the other. No real problem with this either.
What they will do is check the smells for a while. You can do it, but watch the hammies to see if yours are okay or not.
Think about it...in the wild hamsters come across the scent of another hammy and it doesn't do any harm. And, I'm sure your hamsters know each others scent by now.

Hope this helps.

cypher · 12-21-2015, 10:42 PM

I don't think you'll know till you try tbh, quite a few people do use shared playpens without any problems at all but it does depend on the ham, my little Mickle would definitely not share her playpen with anyone but other hams have been ok so just try it & see how it goes, even if one or other isn't happy it's not like being in the cage so you shouldn't have any real problems, maybe a bit of scent marking & peeing though!

Bertiebobbins · 12-22-2015, 01:09 AM

My hams "share" the run of the front room every day, they get a bit excited when they run under each others cages (both up on tables) but otherwise they aren't bothered and don't pee or scent mark when out of cages.

Fluffagrams · 12-22-2015, 04:36 AM

At the moment both my hamsters are using the same play box as I've not got enough room to keep both boxes out as well as the Christmas tree and they're fine with it.

My two have some toys of their own but it's not always a hard and fast rule. The playbox is always wiped down after each hamster and they have their own 'blanket' that their toys rest on.

It's worth a try and just keep an eye on them to see how they behave.

flowerfairy · 12-22-2015, 02:31 PM

I have been wondering about this too (*dreams of being able to get her roborovskis into a play box*).

Like the idea of them each having their own blanket for their toys to rest on.

Fluffagrams · 12-22-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerfairy

I have been wondering about this too (*dreams of being able to get her roborovskis into a play box*).

Like the idea of them each having their own blanket for their toys to rest on.

If they're prone to chewing then I'd avoid any fabric at all and just stick to card but an old curtain or duvet cover works well, particularly if you've got a playpen without a base as there's less likelihood of them finding a starting point to chew and it's easy enough to wash if need be.

kelza · 12-22-2015, 09:05 PM

I'd say it really depends on each hamsters personality. Ptolemy, Millie and Zippy all share a playpen and toys without a problem. Hime on the other hand does major scent marking and goes on "high alert" if any of the other hams use her playpen, so we keep her stuff all separate.

Gemma_xo · 12-24-2015, 07:43 AM

I'll give it a go, I've got everything on a "wishlist" on Amazon ready for the worst case scenario! =] x