How to introduce a new hamster to an existing hamster?

Question

i need to know how to introduce a new dwarf hamster to an already existing dwarf hamster. They are both three and a bit months old. I have put them in each others cages for now so they get used to each others scent but when should i remove them should i do it again or do something else?

PLZ help!!!

Answer 1

I dont know if this would work but try putting both of the hamsters in a new cage.Then they would learn that this is both of there homes. ;D

Hope i helped.

Answer 2

plz take themout! the dwarf will get eaten if you don't take her out soon. you cacn leave them in thier if they don't fight though.

Answer 3

do NOT put them together. hamsters are territorial and will end up eating eachother. even a hamster mother eats her own babies if you like, forget to put food in her cage one day.

Answer 4

If both are males, do not put them together. If male and female, you will have multiply hamsters soon. Can hamsters be fixed? Great question.

Answer 5

Does the 'new' dwarf hamster not exist, somehow?

"Dear Existing Dwarf Hamster,

I would like to introduce a non-existent Dwarf Hamster that I have let you become  accustomed to smelling.   Now I will do something else.

Love;

Cleopatra"

Answer 6

It is very tricky to get hamsters used to one another. Dwarf hamsters normally can coexist with other dwarfs if they are from the same litter. But it is difficult to predict whether a hamster 3 months old will be friendly to a completely new hamster.

I have had a lot of dwarfs through many years and it is interesting study for me to find out which one gets on with other new dwarfs.

One method to introduce them is as follows -

Put them in separate cages and keep the cages close together for 3-4 days so that they get used to each other's scent.

Next exchange their cages (which is what I guess you have done currently) for the next 3 days so that they get used to each other's smell in the cage itself.

Select a neutral hamster proof play area (i use the bathtub, plug the drain hole and spread paper on the tub), put a screen in the middle and introduce the two hamsters on either side of the screen. You migh see a lot of squealing and touching through the screen but as long as one cannot enter the other side, don't bother. Do this consecutively for 4-5 days for them to get used to each other.

Once you feel they are getting friendly, remove the screen and let them play together for 2-3 days on this neutral territory.

After this, you can introduce them in the same cage. Clean out the cage completely to remove any smell, introduce the weaker hamster first and then the older hamster. Make sure the cage is spacious with 2 food dishes, water bottles and exercise wheels so that they do not fight over common things.

Watch them closely for a day or two, if they continue to remain friendly, you are successful.

However remember this is not foolproof. Sometimes it may not work, then forget the idea of homing them together, the older hamster would have become too territorial and it would be not possible.