Should i buy chinese hamsters in pairs or is it ok to have one?

Question

I ask because the pet shop doesn't want to sell one, they would prefer me to buy three. I had three russian hamsters before and one killed the other two.

Answer 1

If you are buying chinese hamsters in pairs just becoz the pet shop is telling you to, don't.

It is a myth that dwarfs have to be kept together. Do not keep dwarfs together until they are from the same litter and they are of the same age. Keeping dwarfs from different litters and different age groups might work out sometimes but in many cases, there has been vicious fighting and even death.

Your decision to buy one chinese hamster is a good decision. The pet shop is not allowing it only becoz they want to make a quick sale. Don't fall for it -clearly tell them you want only one or none otherwise go to another pet shop. It is wrong of pet shops to force customers to buy more than one when it is not necesscary.

Answer 2

You actually SHOULD get just one. When they're young they're alright in groups, but once they get older they're much more solitary.

Don't listen to the pet shop. Explain to them that Chinese hamsters are solitary as adults and they will fight when they mature. Just be sure of yourself and tell them this, because it's a fact. It would be good for them to know, too! One is a very good choice. Chinese hamsters are not true dwarfs, and even with cagemates from the same litter they'll likely fight.