Ever wonder if you can save space (and money) by housing your hamster and gerbil together? Think again!
As a general rule, hamsters and gerbils should not be housed together due to their different care needs and potential for conflict. While it may seem like a cost-effective and space-saving idea, keeping these two types of small mammals together is ultimately not a good idea.
In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons why hamsters and gerbils shouldn’t be housed together, including differences in social behavior, dietary needs, and habitat requirements. With this in mind, let’s begin.
Will Hamsters and Gerbils Fight Each Other?
If you’re thinking of bringing home a hamster and gerbil, you might wonder if they’ll get along. Who wouldn’t want to cuddle and love on two cute, cuddly animals? Hamsters and gerbils, however, cannot. These two small mammals have different social behaviors and dietary needs that can cause conflict when housed together.
So, is there going to be an all-out war between hamsters and gerbils? Yes, that’s right. It can sometimes happen that these two types of pets become aggressive toward each other due to their different social behavior.
Different Social Behaviors
Due to their different social behaviors, hamsters and gerbils should not be housed together. A hamster does best when kept alone or with a sibling of the same gender.
Gerbils, however, thrive in pairs or groups and are highly social animals. As a result of their different social needs, hamsters may become aggressive towards gerbils when housed together.
Different Dietary Needs
There is also a difference in their dietary needs between hamsters and gerbils, which makes them unsuitable for cohabitation. Hamsters have a more diverse diet and require a mix of seeds, grains, and occasional fresh fruits and vegetables.
A Gerbil’s diet, on the other hand, is more specific and consists mainly of grains and seeds, with limited amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. It can be difficult to provide both pets with the specific diet they need when they are housed together, which can lead to malnutrition or weight imbalances.
We’d love to see these two adorable pets cuddling together, but keeping them separate is the best way to ensure they get the proper nutrition.
Can Gerbils and Hamsters Share a Habitat?
We’ve discussed why hamsters and gerbils shouldn’t be housed together, including differences in social behavior and dietary requirements. But even if you can successfully introduce your hamster and gerbil without any initial aggression, housing them together is still not a good idea.
Let’s take a closer look.
Gerbils Need More Space
Gerbils require a large, spacious habitat to thrive because they’re highly active animals. A smaller space is generally more appealing to hamsters.
Giving both pets the space they need when housed together can be challenging, resulting in stress and behavioral issues.
Hamsters Are Prone To Biting
Besides needing more space, gerbils are more delicate and prone to injury than hamsters. When hamsters bite gerbils accidentally (or intentionally), they can cause serious injury or even death.
Even if your hamster and gerbil seem to get along at first, housing them together is not recommended due to the risk of injuries.
What Are Some Alternative Housing Options?
If you’re still set on keeping both a hamster and a gerbil as pets, don’t worry! To ensure both pets are happy and healthy, you can consider alternative housing options. Let’s explore how.
Keep Them in Separate Cages
Separate cages are one option for keeping your hamster and gerbil. In this way, you’ll be able to provide each pet with the specific care they need, including the appropriate amount of space and diet. If you want them to play together, you can still allow them to interact, but it’s wise to supervise them at all times to prevent any potential aggression.
Provide Separate Areas for Play and Interaction
Your hamster and gerbil can also interact and play in separate areas. You can do this by setting up a playpen for each pet or dedicating a small area of the room or room section to them. Doing this allows your pets to interact and play together while allowing them to retreat to their sanctuaries for rest and relaxation.
It’s worthwhile to keep in mind that while these alternative housing options may require a little more time and effort, it’s worth ensuring your hamster and gerbil are happy and healthy. Even if you’re drawn to the cute factor of having both hamsters and gerbils as pets, make sure you choose a housing option that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Final Thoughts
The idea of keeping these two adorable pets together may seem like a great way to save space and money, but their differing care needs and potential for conflict make it a bad idea.
Instead, you should do your research and pick a pet that’s best suited to your lifestyle and resources. Your pet should be provided with the proper attention and care, regardless of whether you choose a hamster or a gerbil (or both).