AboutSheila Adby Expertise Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com
Experience I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com
Publications Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)
Education/Credentials Educated to A Level standard in the UK.
Question QUESTION: I have bought 2hamsters coming to 3weeks.initially they are quite well as i bought from the same cage at the shop.The shopkeeper said it is a couple syrian hamster and it is just 6weeks old. now sometimes i can see them fight and bite each other but for just a second only. Some people said that they are playing or try to matting. They grow so fast and the body getting bigger. One of it,the backside was so huge that you can see it is quite heavy. Then, another one also had it same but because she is fat,therefore not so obvious on the weight. It is really confuse me as which is male or female and what type of hamster i have and why the backside become like that as when i bought i does not happen. Thanks
ANSWER: Hi Sandy
If these are Syrian hamsters then they definitely should NOT live together. Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures and must live in a cage on their own. They are OK together when babies but any time after 6 weeks and they start to fight and the fighting can be very serious. If they are opposite sexes then you could find she is already pregnant as they become sexually active at only 4 weeks. If this is the case and she does produce a litter or you think she is then please let me know and I can talk you through what to do.
If they are dwarf hamsters then it is important to sex them so that you can decide if you want them to mate. Again, if they are fighting then they need to be separated.
Appreciate for your advise.Thanks.Till now i can't see the different between syrian or other type of hamster that i bought. I do observe and both did a fighting but only less than 5second. Sometimes come with a loud voice. The common fight area will be a their small house.Is it common?Shall i just seperate them as soon as possible or just buy another small house.I guess by now both of them is male as both do have a very huge backside.One of them,it is hardly for me to see the penis. Another one, i able to see when he is a mist of cleaning but sometimes i can see blood came out from there? Is it normal? Next time,Can i forward a picture of them to you? I really worried.Alternative,please do e-mail me at . Thank again
Sandy
Answer Hi Sandy
If you want to send me a photo I might be able to identify them for you.
If they are dwarf, then they do love to have lots of places to sleep and therefore it is a good idea to provide several areas for them. However, if they are sleeping apart, then this is a sign that they are not getting along, and another reason for separation. However, once separated you can't put them back together so you will end up with another cage. The key thing with dwarf hamsters is to make sure they have plenty of space - I also even put in two wheels sometimes to make sure there is no fighting.
