Why are my Russian Dwarf Hamster females fighting?

Question

We just bought 2 females yesterday. They were in the same tank together (with about 6 others) and the lady said they are between one and 2 months old, although one is quite a bit larger than the other. They seem to be fighting alot and the little one ends up on her back a few times. They will eat together and sleep together but I hear a lot of squeaking. Are they just sorting out the pecking order in the new cage or are they never going to get on? I thought I was doing the right thing getting 2 for company and from the same cage. Is it too late to go back and swap the bigger one for another smaller one from the same cage?

Answer 1

It is rare you can keep any kind of hamster together without fighting.  They are solitary animals and hate sharing cages.  It would be best to separate them before serious injury occurs.

Answer 2

What the little one is doing when it is lying on its back is being submissive to the big one, its showing it that it knows that the big one is in charge and he is the subordinate.

You may also see the big one pin the other against the floor, but if you don't see this and the big one doesn't do this then they may be fine to stay together, if the little one didn't lye on its back then they would fight. it is a good thing that she is doing that.

i would suggest that you put 2 food bowls in the cage.

i have the same kind of hamsters and one is always smaller than the other. i also find that the smaller hamster prefers fresh food, this may be because the large hamster claims the bowl as her own but after separation the smaller hamster will not grow bigger.

Remember hamsters eat in secret, and are not likely to eat food in your presence.

Hope that's helpful. i think its only mating couples that may fight to the death, not sure though so do what you think is safest.

Answer 3

Are the dwarfs from the same litter? Normally dwarfs from same litter can coexist peacefully, however if they are from different litters, there is a possibility for them to fight.

There are two types of fighting that dwarfs do -

1. Play-fighting often occurs when they are establishing an order of dominance, they may squeak a lot but there is little physical contact. This need not be taken seriously as they can sort out their differences on their own in a few days and live happily together. Give the hamsters a lot of distractions by giving them ample space, plenty of hiding places and toys. Also keep two exercise wheels, food trays and hamster water bottles in the cage so that they do not fight when both want to do the same things at the same time.This will reduce the stress created by having to live with one another in an enclosed space.

2. Serious fighting is very physical and prolonged then it may be that they don't get along and need to be separated. Tell-tale signs of serious fighting are heavy squeaking and violent fighting. Hamsters also usually get bitten in the tail region or their feet and if you see bleeding or even older scars, you might want to consider separating the pair.

One more thing -

If you have kept dwarf hamster individuals separate for even a day, they might forget their group scent (which tells them that they are friends) and when they meet again, they will react violently.Do not keep dwarf hamsters apart for too long. They forget how their friend smells.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I THINK THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS! they are RUSSIAN hamsters. maybe they are play fighting? my mice strangle each other and Nibble has a very frightened face, but they always squeak and fight, i have had them for 6 months. always bite, strangle, MY FOOD, move over or play fight, OR "theres been no water for 3 days, let me have some Nibble! dont you know it gives me the right to poke you in the eye?!?!?" and yeah. so its maybe play fight. when you put in carrot or celery, put in 2 carrots or 2 celery, so they dont fight over 1.