It can be annoying and even distressing when hamsters start fighting; they may squeak, scream or attack each other. One specimen can attack or bully the other living in the same cage, forcing it into submission. However, there are methods you can put into practice to get them to stop and restore calm among your rodent friends.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Understanding the Causes
Step 1. Determine the species of your little friends
Some have to live in solitude, in separate cages and far from other species; in other cases, animals can only socialize if they are of the same sex. Take your little friend to the vet to check which species it belongs to or ask the pet shop where you bought it for more details.
- The Syrian hamster, also called golden, is the largest and also the most widespread; it can be of various colors, although the typical fur is golden, light brown with black spots and a white belly. Its eyes are small and bright, large ears and short tail. This specimen should never be kept together with other similar ones, because it is very territorial and solitary; such aggressive behaviors begin to develop when the creature reaches 6-8 weeks of life; when he is two months old, he must be kept alone or in a separate cage.
- The dwarf hamster is the second most common species and is smaller than the Syrian one; has a strip of dark fur running across the back, from head to tail, and which is usually brown in color, unless it is an albino specimen, in which case the animal is all white. This rodent prefers to live with others of its kind, in pairs or in groups, although its social spirit can change and some dwarf hamsters prefer to live alone.
- The Chinese dwarf hamster is the third most widespread species; it is small, about 10-15 cm long, with silky brown-gray fur and black stripes on its back. This specimen can sometimes be confused with the mouse, as it has a longer tail than other species and makes it an excellent jumper and climber. He enjoys interacting with people, but generally does not get along well with other hamsters and you should therefore keep him alone in the cage; moreover, it is a nocturnal animal, therefore it tends to move, run and make noise during the night.
- Keep in mind that there are no hamster breeds, these rodents are categorized by species and color.
Step 2. Identify the sex of your little friend
The best thing to do is to keep the specimens of the same genus together and separate those of the opposite sex by keeping them in distinct cages; those of the same sex tend to fight and quarrel less than those of different sexes.
If you want to keep two individuals of the same sex in the same cage, introduce them when they are still young
Step 3. Place pets in separate cages close together
This initial setting allows the two rodents to get used to each other's smells without reaching physical contact; let them sniff and interact through the bars. When they seem to tolerate each other, try putting them in the same cage.
Before bringing them together, make sure that the cage is "neutral" and that it does not smell like one of the two specimens; it should be clean or new, contain clean bedding and toys. This way, hamsters have less excuse to fight and should be dissuaded from fighting for territory
Step 4. Watch them play and interact with each other
Once placed in the same cage, you need to pay attention to their behavior. Do they play together at least once a day or do they completely ignore each other? This can help you understand the dynamics between them and see if they start getting aggressive.
Do not leave them unattended in the cage until you are satisfied with the relationship they are establishing; you should find that they are not physically dangerous to each other or that they do not try to fight. If in doubt, take one out of the cage and put it in another; try to reunite them the next day and see how they behave with each other and if they start getting closer
Step 5. Be prepared for some confrontation
The normal quarrel is about dominance, one example "subdues" the other and conquers supremacy. If you see them chasing each other and arguing, this is completely normal behavior; they might be noisy and you might feel a little anxious seeing these dynamics, but as long as they are short episodes of chasing, sniffing and bickering, know that it's a natural way to define a specimen's supremacy. You have to let them act in this way freely and not intervene, as it is a natural phenomenon.
- One hamster can jump onto the other's shoulders until the one below squeaks and accepts submission; the one above can now confirm its dominance and free the defeated specimen.
- This manifestation of abuse can occur multiple times and as long as the hamsters return to normal activities it is completely normal. These ordinary fights can happen for a few weeks when the rodents are put together in the same cage for the first time, but they can recur for the rest of their lives as well.
- You don't have to interfere when they behave this way or move them away from the cage and put them back together again. As long as it comes to moderate chases and fights, you have to let them sort it out for themselves; if you remove a specimen from the cage, you can create confusion and stress.
Step 6. Look for signs of fighting between small rodents
If so, bites, chases occur, and the bully specimen might put the other in a corner to prevent him from escaping; this is not normal dominance behavior, but it is a clear sign of aggression and real struggle.
- One hamster could injure the other and prevent him from eating, drinking or even sleeping.
- The submissive one may begin to isolate, lose or gain weight, and stop playing with the other or even you; it may also start to get aggressive towards you when you pick it up or touch it. These are all signs that indicate a serious state of anxiety and you must intervene to change the living space of the animal that is being bullied by the other or to remove it.
Step 7. Move him to a different cage
Some hamsters, even if they are the same, can eventually get to fight, despite all your efforts to keep them happy. If the pet that is being bullied by the other shows signs of stress, such as loss of appetite, is hiding in fear, or you notice biting injuries from the dominant specimen, it is time to move it to another cage. It is better to have two hamsters living apart rather than an aggressive, stressed couple forced to share the same space.
Once the "victim" has been transferred to a new home, try to keep the two cages as close together as possible; in this way, the transition is easier for the small rodent and reduces stress levels
Step 8. Once they have been separated, don't let them socialize
You need to keep them from coming back into contact with each other or playing together after you push them away, or they may resume fighting or behaving aggressively with each other when you put them in the same pen.
Method 2 of 2: Adapt their Vital Space
Step 1. Get a large cage for both of your little friends
At times, they may be aggressive precisely because they have limited space in which to live and play; this can induce in them a natural tendency to fight for the territory. A specimen should be at least 0.25m2 of vital area; therefore, if you have two hamsters, you should guarantee double this area.
Check with the pet store clerk to find a cage that is large enough to hold the two rodents so that they are both happy and relaxed
Step 2. Arrange the cage so that there are no blind spots or spaces with no escape route
It is important that no zones are created that can trap one or the other hamster; avoid putting pipes that are too long or creating blind spots. Make sure that any box or hiding place you place inside has at least two exits; in doing so, when the pets enter, they do not feel trapped together.
You should also avoid creating tight corners or distinct sections in the cage, to prevent your little friends from feeling stuck or cornered
Step 3. Prepare two sleeping kennels, two water bottles, two food bowls and two wheels
Having a specific set of accessories for each specimen that is not to be shared should prevent them from fighting for possession.
- It is important to provide two separate kennels, as most hamsters don't like sharing the same sleeping space. If possible, you should also provide two separate sets of toys, such as two wheels or two boxes with two entrances.
- Also provide two large food bowls, large enough to accommodate the animal itself. Most of these little rodents like to get into the saucer when eating and don't want to fight for space inside the container.
Step 4. Follow the same daily routine for both dogs
Show the same attention and care to both of them in equal measure, feeding them, playing and grooming them at the same times every day. This way, you greatly reduce any tension between them and establish a bond. As they spend more and more time together, they should start considering each other and exhibit fewer aggressive attitudes.
Step 5. Grab them together before putting them back in the cage
Try to remove them from the cage and always grab them at the same time, so that they both have the same smell at the same time; this should greatly reduce their instinct to chase each other and they should feel less stressed.
