Can I keep more than one hamster in the same cage?

Question

I have a Siberian hamster for about 7 months. I heard I can't keep more than one in a cage cuz they'll kill each other. Pet stores have more than one in a cage and the lady said it would be ok but I don't know if she was just tryin to sell me one. If I can't keep another hamster can I put a mouse or something in there? It's a big cage with levels and tubes.

Answer 1

I think you mean a Syrian hamster. Syrians can not be kept in a cage together as they will kill eachother.

The reason pet shops have them in the cage together is because they get them in at a young age and they are usually from the same litter. They are more likely to be able to live together while they are young but, as soon as they reach sexual maturity they will fight terribly and when Syrians fight they fight to the death.

You can't put a mouse or anything in there either as they would not be compatable.

Just keep your hamster on it's own and give it plenty of toys and attention, it will be much happier that way.

Answer 2

No. Hamsters, especially the Syrians, are solitary animals.

They're kept together in cages at the pet store because they're young.

Your hamster will most likely attack and possibly kill any other rodent you put in the cage with him.

If you want another hamster, you have to get a 2nd cage.

Answer 3

hamsters like having friends.

i've had hamsters for like 2 years already and as long as they are the same s*x they cant have babies so its cool.

they'll play around sometimes and squeak and it'lll look like they're fighting but they'll be fine.

Answer 4

You're able to keep Siberian hamsters (dwarf) together IF they come from the same litter at the same time. At this point, it's risky trying to house two of them together. They'll probably become very territorial and get into a fight. Syrian hamsters (also known as teddy bears, panda bears, black bears, honey bears, goldens, dalmations, etc.), the larger breed of hamster, can not be housed together.

It's never recommended to house different species of rodents together. They can get territorial and fight. I do not recommend you even attempt to keep them together.

If you want another hamster or other rodent, you'll have to get a second cage even though the cage you have is large.

Answer 5

I understand that normally they kill each other but I had a female dwarf hamster for about a month from a pet shop then I got a female Syrian hamster from a humane society-type place.  The first time I put them in together they almost killed each other in a matter of minutes.  However I took the Syrian out and kept her separate for about another month keeping her in a rubber maid container that I used as a second cage.  Eventually I tried doing it again outside the cage where neither of them had any established territory.  I used places in my house neither of them had been before (i.e. living room floor, kitchen counter, back patio).  When I did this they explored and while they sniffed each other and were obviously aware of each other they didn't fight.  Soon I tried stuff like putting in a piece of cardboard with tiny pin-prick sized holes in the middle of each cage to separate them during the day, switching off which cage I put them in during the night, and moving half-finished tasty treats into the other ones side of the cage of cage.  This way they became less territorial and became used to each others scent.  Just as long as I separate them for about the first hour each is awake at night and keep two dishes of food and two water dishes or bottles of water well stoked and two hiding places they're fine.  Do all that and in about two months they'll be good.

Answer 6

Usually you would be able to keep 2 Siberian hamsters together, but because you have already had him for 7 months they probably wouldn't get along. They can put them in 1 cage if A) They are young and B) They have grown up together.

Trust me, don't risk it. Either the hamster will die or it will kill what ever else you put in there. They can also catch diseases from the other animal.  

Answer 7

only if they are the same s*x. don't put all lot of males in with 1 female, death. 1 male to 3 females not a problem,except for the babies, that will follow.