Syrian hamsters make great pets with their low maintenance and friendly demeanor. However, they’re also known for being territorial and requiring large habitats. Can Syrian hamsters live with guinea pigs or in a guinea pig cage?
Syrian hamsters can live in guinea pig cages as long as they are independent and the cage is wired. Open cages or cages with wide gaps will need to be modified to prevent the hamster from escaping. You should never house a Syrian hamster with a guinea pig because they are very territorial.
Guinea pig cages are the right size for Syrian hamsters as long as they are alone and there are no significant gaps in the cage. In this article, I will cover why Syrian Hamsters shouldn’t live with guinea pigs and suitable cage options for your Syrian hamster.
Will Syrian Hamsters Fight Guinea Pigs?
Syrian hamsters will fight guinea pigs or any inhabitants of the same cage. While guinea pigs are quite social and enjoy having pen mates, Syrian hamsters are very territorial and do not work well with other inhabitants.
How Territorial Are Syrian Hamsters?
Syrian hamsters are naturally solitary and very territorial. In the wild, these animals are programmed to defend resources and protect their brood of young from dangers until they reach maturity.
Female Syrian hamsters, who are responsible for raising the young, are incredibly territorial and more aggressive than males. Females will actually be more aggressive towards males than other females unless they are in heat.
These behaviors begin when hamsters are around 8 to 10 weeks old and are beginning to reach sexual maturity. Once adults, they will fight and bite other cage mates they see as intruders, possibly eliminating them.
How Territorial Are Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs are not territorial. In fact, guinea pigs do not like to be solitary and should be housed with other guinea pigs. In some cases, guinea pigs work well with other friendly rodents of a similar size.
However, the guinea pigs’ friendly demeanor will not prevent Syrian hamsters from attacking them, which they see as defending their territory.
Additionally, when considering cohabitating rodents of different species, you should consider their size, sleep schedule, and habits.
Guinea pigs are not nocturnal, like many other rodents, and will be active and noisy while nocturnal rodents sleep. Their diet is somewhat specific, and guinea pigs generally have different exercise equipment than hamsters, rats, or mice.
Can Syrian Hamsters Live With Other Pets of the Same Size?
Syrian hamsters cannot live with other pets, even if they are the same species or breed of hamster. Because of their territorial nature, Syrian hamsters should always be housed alone.
When purchasing a Syrian hamster, especially at a large retail center such as PetSmart, you may see several hamsters housed in one cage. These hamsters are all of a similar age and sex to prevent accidental breeding or territorial fights.
Additionally, most retail pet stores keep hamsters up to 6 to 10 weeks of age until they reach maturity and become territorial. During this adolescent period, it is safer to house Syrian hamsters together.
However, once you purchase your hamster, you should house it alone because it will soon become an adult and begin defending its territory.
Because Syrian hamsters enjoy wide spaces, they do well in large cages, such as those designed for guinea pigs.
Can Syrian Hamsters Live by Themselves in a Guinea Pig Cage?
Syrian hamsters do well in guinea pig cages as long as they live alone.
While guinea pigs are much larger than Syrian hamsters, their cage requirements provide additional space for your Syrian hamster to roam, defend, and play in.
Guinea pig cages provide the following advantages for Syrian hamsters:
- Large size for roaming
- Multiple layers to explore and exercise among
- Alternate toys and exercise equipment (you may still need to get a hamster wheel)
- Better airflow
- Easier to clean
The walls and cage equipment are two considerations for your hamster living in a guinea pig cage.
Ensure the walls are made with close-fitting wire or glass to prevent your Syrian hamster from escaping. Their small size and proclivity for adventure mean they may try to escape if the opportunity presents itself.
Additionally, toys, tunnels, and equipment are specific to rodent species. While your hamster can enjoy the obstacle courses of a guinea pig cage, you may need additional equipment to provide for their needs.
How Large of a Cage Do You Need for Syrian Hamsters?
The minimum cage size I recommend for Syrian hamsters is 24 in long x 12 in x 12 in (61 cm long x 30 cm x 30 cm). This space will provide the most basic roaming requirements for your hamster.
While dwarf hamsters are happy in smaller cages, Syrian breeds require larger spaces to defend and maintain their territory.
Most guinea pig cages for 1 to 2 guinea pigs are about 4 ft x 2 ft x 1ft (1.2 m x 0.6 m x 0.6 m), making them more than adequate for housing your Syrian hamster.
Conclusion
Syrian hamsters are wonderful pets that are friendly around humans. However, their territorial nature makes them hostile to similarly sized pets cohabitating in their space.
If you put a Syrian hamster and another rodent together, the Syrian hamster will attack that pet. You should always house Syrian hamsters individually.
Because Syrian hamsters are territorial and enjoy wide-open spaces, guinea pig cages are a suitable habitat for them to live in by themselves.