Dwarf Hamster Questions - Paw Talk

Perfect · #1 01-17-2007, 03:09 PM

Well, I just rescued a dwarf hamster from a home where he was neglected. I have had him for a few months and I have been doing alot of research about him but I still have some unanswered questions.

I read that dwarfs are very social animals and need friends? See, I did not know that because my Syrian Hamster I read they do not need friends. So I thought that Syrians and Dwarfs would be the same but I guess not :\
Well the research I have been doing on the internet said that he was a Roborovski Dwarf Hamster. Well, I was thinking about getting him a friend and I was wondering if you could put two different types of hamsters together? Or two different types of Dwarf hamsters together? Also, I have a pretty big cage that he is in right now and I was wondering if it can be too big? Thank you for any advice and answers you may be able to give me! Oh, and how many friends should I get him? Just one? And also, how may I go about introductions? Thanks again

**Sasami** · #2 01-17-2007, 03:33 PM

Dwarf Hamsters don't really need friends...they just can live with each other. If you give him a lot of attention he'll be fine

. In fact, some are happier alone.

And I don't feel a cage can ever be too big

. As long as the bars are close enough that he can't escape.

Perfect · #3 01-17-2007, 08:59 PM

OK thanks! But I still may use the friend excuse to my boyfriend

hehe

Could you pair different types of dwarfs together?

**Sasami** · #4 01-17-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfect


	OK thanks! But I still may use the friend excuse to my boyfriend hehe Could you pair different types of dwarfs together?

I'm not completely sure (I've never personally tried it) but I wouldn't...it'll just make things even harder. Plus some species are more territorial then others.

If you get another dwarf I recommend the split cage method

.

Like this: http://homepage.mac.com/kyleekay/tip...tip070403.html

amysmomma · #5 01-18-2007, 09:19 AM

you should pair same sex not diff unless u want babies

Flower Girl · #6 01-18-2007, 10:33 AM

I had a lovely dwarf hammie called Boris and he was fine on his own. So if the friend thing doesn't work don't worry!

grlunderrainbow · #7 01-18-2007, 10:35 AM

Haven't had those, but used to keep/breed Campbell's Russian Dwarf hamsters. They are very social and do well in groups if at all possible. Same sex of course if you aren't breeding. However, when I had older hamsters I was trying to pair/group..it was A LOT harder then getting younger hamsters together. So your's being an older hamster, it may not get along with another. But after a quarantine period, you can try a same sex friend and see how it goes but be prepapered for them to be apart if it doesn't work out.

Perfect · #8 01-19-2007, 01:30 AM

My hamster is a few months old I think. He was about four months old whenever I got him. So could you put two different types of dwarfs together? For example, a Campbell's Russian Dwarf and a Roborovski Dwarf would that be fine?

Skratikans · #9 01-19-2007, 03:28 PM

just make sure to not pair any hamsters with a syrian

karlh · #10 01-24-2007, 05:03 AM

You must never house different species together. They just don't get on. You should get a mate, of the same sex, unless you want to breed. Younger the hamster is, the better chance of them getting on. There is a specific procedure you should follow when introducing a new mate. But, same as the humans, they may get on for a while and then just fall out. If they do, they must be housed separately. Some owners have tried to re-introduce them at a later date, with varying success... You will enjoy watching them and the antics they get up to.. have fun..:-)

newt · #11 01-31-2007, 12:33 PM

Hi,

I only just got some dwarf hamsters this weekend, so I am not an expert. However, I did read up about them a lot before I got them. They do like to be in pairs/groups, however, it is hard to introduce them once they are older. It is best to introduce in the first two months, ideally ones from the same litter get on best. I have no idea how you would go about introducing them at a later stage, but I do not think it is easy or likely to have a high success rate

.

Since he is already used to being on his own, I personally would leave it that way but play with him as much as possible. However, if you really want to try, read this: Pairing Dwarf Hamsters - by Joyce Sandy - it gives you a method for introducing strangers! Hope that helps

~newt~

newt · #12 01-31-2007, 12:42 PM

Oh and I forgot to say... no you cannot put different species together! Even different species of dwarf hamster cannot be mixed. So you do need to know for sure which type of dwarf it is (russian campbells, winter white, roborovski , chinese)!

It is a shame he is on his own

it would be great if he could get a playmate, but you need to be aware it might not work out!

~newt~

StarIllusion · #13 06-03-2007, 08:25 AM

I have had three dwarfs and all of them got along fine alone. Although, I am thinking of getting Nina a boyfriend after some more research. ^_^ But it's entirely up to you if you want another one or not. Like they said, make sure it is the same species.

Good Luck!

karlh · #14 06-04-2007, 10:30 AM

If you get Nina a boyfriend, be prepared for a very early family. Females are on heat every 4 days or so. Gestation period is about 28 days, depending on breed. And the female is ready again within 48 hours of giving birth... So beware of the responsibility you may be taking on..

girlrazor · #15 06-04-2007, 01:33 PM

Personally, I wouldn't advise breeding any animal that you don't know the genetic history of. Especially not a rescue*.
Stick with same sex pairs. If you're going to get another dwarf, try to get it from a breeder. The won't sex inaccurately and they offer much healthier animals (a good breeder will anyway!).
I think there may be some dwarf breeders listed in the classifieds...

*recent rescue