Having pets brings much joy to animal caretakers. However, sufficient awareness about the appropriate care for them —including the compatibility of animals when together— must be considered.
A Syrian hamster cannot live with a Dwarf hamster. Hamsters are primarily solitary animals who prefer to live with their subspecies. Grouping them might lead to aggressive behavior, injuries, and other trauma in both hamsters.
In this article, I’ll explain why Syrian and Dwarf hamsters shouldn’t be housed together. I will also explain the best company for your hamsters so you don’t have to worry about them being lonely. Let’s get into it!
Will Syrian and Dwarf Hamsters Fight?
For those considering hamsters as pets, note that selecting an excellent company for them is necessary. For example, Syrian and Chinese hamsters are not friendly animals and are better on their own.
Proper selection is vital because the aggression of hamsters can lead to trauma, serious injuries, and death, especially when the combined groups are incompatible.
One should refrain from an unfamiliar grouping of hamsters next to one another. Even keeping them in different cages next to each other is a bad idea because this causes them undue stress.
On another note, one can house similar hamsters together—as in the case of Dwarf hamsters (which are more friendly than other hamster species) —but fighting is still likely to occur. A preventive measure is ensuring that each hamster can hide from others through multiple shelters.
There are some other workarounds that you can apply to other pairings (e.g., Chinese and Syrian). For instance, some experts recommend that if there is an intent to house either of the hamster varieties together, what can help is introducing them when they are still young.
At the same time, take measures that only two or three are together and that you watch them cautiously, refraining from leaving them overnight unless sure about how settled they are. Also helpful are cages with plenty of enrichment, like the following.
- Shredded paper
- Toys
- Wheels
- Clean hay
Additionally, grouping hamsters early in life also works particularly for Dwarf hamsters because this leads them to have more harmonious and stable relationships. Just make sure to house them only in pairs or trios.
House the hamsters on their own but adjacent to one another for at least a week; this is essential in stabilizing them together and monitoring them better. You must also remember not to add additional group members at a later date.
Lastly, consider that fighting among hamsters —especially among cage mates— occurs at night, as they are most active this time. Thus, it is critical to see how they are in the morning, ensuring that none have been harmed and checking if a hamster requires veterinary assistance.
What Are the Defining Traits of Syrian and Dwarf Hamsters?
Other than knowing how to house them, awareness of basic facts regarding Syrian and Dwarf hamsters might also help one decide whether to get a hamster for a pet and which hamster species to consider.
Dwarf Hamsters
Dwarf hamsters are ordinary among pet stores, and they make great pets. Most hamster enthusiasts recommend the Winter White dwarf hamster for newbies in pet ownership, given that they have the shortest lifespan (a year and a half, at most).
Other types of Dwarf hamsters include the Campbell and Roborovski species. Campbell dwarf hamsters weigh up to an ounce (28 grams) and grow to two inches (5 centimeters). Meanwhile, the Roborovski species are also favorites — they are the smallest breed and weigh less than an ounce (below 28 grams). They grow up to a maximum of two inches (5 centimeters).
Syrian Hamsters
Syrian hamsters are the opposite of dwarf hamsters —they are the largest hamsters available in pet stores. Most people refer to them as golden hamsters or teddy bears because they have furry, golden-brown coats and stout bodies.
The average Syrian hamster will grow up to a maximum of 7 inches (18 centimeters) and weigh five ounces (142 grams). They can still fit perfectly in their human owner’s hands.
Again, remember that Syrian hamsters are solitary —a stark contrast to the friendly Dwarf hamster.
Their solitary nature is why it is also not ideal to have various Syrian hamsters together in a cage because they behave the same in their wild habitat— living a life burrowed in their living chambers for most of the time.
If you plan to have a Syrian hamster, keep in mind the above rules. Give the hamsters approximately six to seven weeks around each other to allow them to accept each other. Also, remember that their most socially amenable time is only their mating and nursing seasons, and plan your interactions accordingly.
Conclusion
Taking care of hamsters goes beyond appreciating their cuteness and deeming them great family pets. An owner must allow the hamster to thrive in a good environment and, with the right company, avoid making them live with other species.
A new hamster owner must also have patience in handling it. A hamster must acclimate to its new surroundings for a few days before its owner holds it constantly at home.