Fighting dwarf hamsters to be seperated. 2 questions...

Question

I bought 2 dwarf russian hamsters on Friday. I was told they were both males and they have been getting along fine.

The last few evenings they have been fighting. It's particularly one that trying to 'mount' the other and I have noticed wetness on the tummy of the hamster on it's back.

I'm in the process of seperating them, putting one in a plastic ADDIS box with no lid but it is quite tall.

These are my questions...

Do you think it's a male dominance thing or could one be a girl? He/she doesn't seem too consenting.

If i put in a tiny bowl of water, will that be ok until I get a new cage sometime tomorrow or the day after?

I have a spare bed,food bowl and wheel it's just the water supply I'm concerned about.

Answer 1

Before you separate them I would take them to the vet for the vet to tell you what s*x they are.  If they are different sexes then they will need separating for certain and i would also complain to the pet store.  If they are both males then the humping is either g*y or dominance behaviour either way if there are no injuries then they can stay together.  Minor fights and play fighting is normal.  

If they are opposite sexes or injuries are occuring then  seoparate them.  A bowl of water is fine until you get a bottle.  The reason for bottles is that it is more hygenic as the hamster can't climb in it and it also keeps the cage dryer as it can't be tipped over.  A bowl will do the job though.  

Answer 2

Well i can answer the first one. Well Hamsters are independent animals so they won't get together well unless there really good hampsters.

Answer 3

nah they will either be both female or both male otherwise they wouldnt fight.

ive got one its the nicest thing ever. it never bites or anything

Answer 4

Its more likely that one is a female, for dwarf hamsters, the male is usually the mellow one, I had two females and the bigger one ended up killing the smaller :/ it could be a male dominance thing, but in any case, you should separate them.

Answer 5

unfortunatly you cna not keep two male hamsters together, they will fight even if they are from the same litter, male hamsters are really territorial so can not be kept together, as for the water jsut put a jam jar lid with water in with him it will be enough to hold some water untill you can get a cage tomorrow, best of luck honey.

Answer 6

I had the exact same problem, and I my hamster was OK in a box for 1 day. Put the wheel in for sure because the hamster will get really nervous and fidgety and run around in circles if id doesnt have anything to do.

Dwarf hamsters dont drink alot or very often, so even if you left the hamster without water for one night, it would be fine. But if you want to put in a bowl of water, make sure it is very shallow so that there is no chance of the hamster drowning!

Good luck! xx

Answer 7

Well if the people in the pet shop told you that two male dwarfs were living happily together I'd be concerned, male hamsters are rarely known to live well together and almost always end up in fights!

The box should be okay over night for a dwarf but as soon as you can make sure to get a cage for it as soon as you can along with its own food and water bowls. The wheel you have should keep him happy over night but if you can get some more toys to keep him occupied as dwarfs never like to be without something to play with =] you've gotta love them. It could be possible that one of the males is more dominant that the other but it could just be a case of it trying to "mark its territory"

Other than that, your pet should be good in its temporary home over night but, it will be better for you and your hammy when you get a new cage (=

Oh... one other little thing, pop an old newspaper or magazine under the box to stop and spills of water soaking your carpet.

Good luck :]

x