Nibbly
When they can live together
The pairs or small groups that do best are same-sex littermates that have never been apart. Putting together two adults that do not know each other is much harder and often ends in fights. Females tend to be more territorial than males.
Never house a male with a female unless you want babies: Russian dwarf hamsters breed very fast and very young.
Why they sometimes fight
In the wild, dwarf hamsters spend much of their lives alone, defending their territory. In a cage, as they mature, they may start competing for food, the wheel or the house. A veterinary study of dwarf hamsters found fighting in many pairs from about six months of age, and several animal welfare charities advise keeping them alone. Living alone does not make them unhappy: they do not need company to do well.
How to help them get along
- A roomy cage, far bigger than for one hamster, with deep bedding to dig in.
- Two of everything (or more): wheels, houses, bowls and water bottles, so they never have to fight over them.
- Several hides and separate areas, so each can get away.
- If you must introduce them, do it on neutral ground with a mesh divider at first, so they can see and smell each other without fighting.
- A second cage ready in case you need to split them.
Signs it is time to separate them
- Wounds, blood or bald patches from bites.
- One chases the other non-stop or keeps it from eating, drinking or sleeping in the house.
- Repeated squealing fights, or one that lives in hiding.
Once they have fought seriously, keep them apart for good: putting them back together almost never works.
In Nibbly up to four can live together
In Nibbly you can keep up to four hamsters in one cage and watch how they get on, with nobody getting hurt. Just like real ones, every pair is different:
- They make friends: sniff noses, groom each other, play tag and sleep curled up together.
- Or they do not get along: they squabble, fight, avoid each other or kick each other off the wheel.
- In every pair one is the boss; they remember what happens to them and have good days and bad days.
Frequently asked questions
Can two dwarf hamsters share a cage?
Yes, they can come to live together, above all same-sex siblings raised together, in a large cage with two of everything. Even so, many pairs fight as adults, so watch them and have a second cage ready.
Is it better to have two females or two males?
Two brothers usually do a little better than two sisters, as females tend to be more territorial. What matters most is that they are littermates that have never been apart.
Does a dwarf hamster get lonely on its own?
No. Hamsters do not need other hamsters to be happy. What they need is space, bedding to dig in, a wheel, places to hide and a varied diet.