If you or your friend owns a hamster, you’ve probably noticed that hamsters are usually kept in their cage all by themselves. Humans are sociable and enjoy company, so you might think the same applies to hamsters. However, these tiny rodents work differently.
Hamsters don’t get lonely because they’re solitary animals. Two hamsters living in the same cage can get territorial and might end up fighting or killing each other, as domesticated hamsters hate having company. Having two hamsters is only possible with specific breeds like dwarf hamsters.
In the rest of this article, I will provide more detailed answers as to why hamsters prefer being alone. I will also discuss the best breed to get if you want to own multiple hamsters.
Do Hamsters Mind Living Alone?
In simple words, no. Hamsters don’t mind living alone. Hamsters prefer this lifestyle because they’re solitary by nature.
If you already have a hamster and are thinking about getting another one, you should know this might be a bad idea. The only time when hamsters don’t mind “cohabitating” is if they belong to the same sex (this especially holds for females) and if they’ve been raised in the same litter as siblings.
Hamsters will be fine on their own. Just get them some toys so they can entertain themselves, and they’ll be happy. This is their true nature.
People often judge animals based on human behavior. Humans are social beings and we cannot imagine our lives without our families and friends. Most pets are also sociable, such as cats and dogs.
Hamsters, however, are unlike other pets. They’re very timid and spending time with other hamsters can be bad for their health. When you introduce a stranger hamster to your pet, they’ll experience stress.
You could compare hamsters with very introverted people, except introverts don’t mind spending time with the people they feel comfortable with. Hamsters dislike company in general. On top of that, they experience something similar to human social anxiety.
So, if your hamster lives alone, let it be. That’s how they feel the most comfortable.
How Hamsters Cohabitate in Nature
Hamsters only cohabitate for survival and reproduction purposes.
These animals might cohabitate in nature, but not in the way truly social animals behave. They cohabitate to survive more easily. Hamsters might share food, but they don’t play or spend time together.
The only time they need actual company is for reproduction purposes. However, even then, males will look for females and leave them as soon as they’re done mating. Otherwise, the female would kill them.
Do Hamsters Enjoy Their Owners’ Company?
Every hamster is different. Some enjoy their owners’ company and some don’t. Most hamsters won’t mind their owner because you’re the one who gives them food and cleans their cage.
However, don’t expect every hamster to let you pet it. Some may enjoy occasional playtime, but some will bite you if they dislike human touch.
You just need to accept that hamsters aren’t your typical pets. Dogs, for example, love their owners and go crazy when they see them. Cats aren’t that affectionate but will usually let you pet them.
Some hamsters are more like goldfish. You can’t play with them, but you’ll enjoy watching them play. If you don’t like this type of pet, don’t get them.
Your hamster’s behavior also depends a lot on its breed. Dwarf hamsters are very active and move fast. You may not be able to hold them still in one place and this might annoy you.
Syrian hamsters are more affectionate. They enjoy their owners’ company and will let you pet them. They also move more slowly, so you can play with them more easily.
There’s also a possibility that your hamster won’t like you at first, but this may change later. Hamsters need a lot of time to adapt to new situations. If you’ve just bought them from a breeder, you will have to give them time to get used to their new owner and new home.
Some hamsters will avoid coming out when they feel your presence. Some will only come out at night. We call these ghost hamsters, and this video explains their behavior in more detail:
Hamsters Are Nocturnal and Territorial Animals
As I’ve already mentioned, hamsters are solitary animals. In some cases, they don’t even like socializing with their owners, let alone other hamsters. If you get one, you’ll notice they have some other unusual habits.
Hamsters are nocturnal animals, which means they become more active late at night. Don’t be surprised if you hear your hamster running on its wheel in the middle of the night.
The fact that these animals prefer the nighttime is another reason you may not get along with your hamster.
Most humans prefer doing things during the day and sleeping at night. Because of your different schedules, you’ll want to play during the day, and the hamster will become irritable because you interrupted its sleep.
Secondly, hamsters are very territorial. Territorial animals dislike intruders, as those are other animals that can steal their food, mates, or territory.
When they find themselves in the company of another hamster, hamsters will become aggressive because they feel the need to defend their territory.
In nature, it’s very easy for hamsters to run away from each other as there’s lots of space for everyone. But in a cage, there isn’t enough room. They might start attacking each other and fight to show dominance. This type of behavior could result in serious injuries or even the death of your beloved pet.
The Only Circumstances in Which Hamsters Can Live Together
Hamsters can live together if they meet the following criteria:
- They are of the same sex.
- They have been together since childhood.
Mixing males and females isn’t safe because there’s a risk of pregnancy, which can be lethal for young hamsters. Two males can become too aggressive, so the safest choice is two females.
They also need to be siblings. If they’ve been together since childhood, they probably won’t mind sharing the same living space, but you still have to be cautious.
There’s always a chance that the hamsters won’t get along well even if they meet the breed, sex, and sibling criteria, so consider getting separate cages just in case. This way, you will have a plan B if introducing a new hamster fails or if they suddenly start to fight. It’s also important to get them separate toys.
What Is the Friendliest Hamster Breed?
The three most common breeds of pet hamsters are Chinese, Syrian, and dwarf.
Syrian hamsters are best for owners who want a cuddly pet, but if you want to get multiple hamsters and get them to cohabitate, go for dwarf hamsters. They’re the most likely to enjoy spending time with other hamsters, especially if they’ve known them since birth.
This table sums up all you need to know if you’re trying to decide which hamster breed to get. We’ll consider only the most popular breeds for pet hamsters.
| Syrian | Chinese | Dwarf | |
| Do they like their owners? | Yes, very cuddly and friendly. | Yes, but they are too fast-moving. | Too fast and less sociable towards owners. |
| How do they react to other hamsters? | Prefer solitary life. | Very aggressive and territorial. | Can be socialized if they come from the same litter and are the same sex. |
If you want a pet hamster who loves its owner, get a Syrian hamster. Chinese and dwarf hamsters might also grow fond of you, but they can be too fast and curious about things in their environment and less interested in socializing with their owner.
On the other hand, if you want multiple hamsters, dwarves are the right choice.
Conclusion
Hamsters are loners and don’t need the company of other hamsters. Cohabitating can give them stress and anxiety. They’ll also fight and kill each other if forced to live together.
Hamsters can only cohabitate with other hamsters if they come from the same litter and share the same sex. Dwarf hamsters are less likely to attack their companions.