Do Hamsters Need A Friend? Here’s How To Tell

If you are worried that your hamster spends too much time on its own and must be lonely, don’t be. They are the rulers of their own little kingdom and usually aren’t keen to share their good fortune or space with other hamsters. Your hammie is content to do its daily workouts on the wheel, followed by a long soak in its sand bath, and solve a quick maze puzzle before curling up for a power nap.

Hamsters are not social animals and do well as solitary pets. Syrian hamsters, in particular, should never be caged together. They are territorial, and fights will result. Dwarf hamsters may be more tolerant of a cage mate. Hamsters need sufficient stimulation in their cage to prevent boredom.

Hamster parents may be wondering if it’s time to add a playmate, but it turns out that your little pet loves being an only child. Unlike many other pets like dogs or cats, hamsters prefer to be housed alone. You are the only best friend your little hamster pal needs, and once you have bonded, it will enjoy spending time with you.

Does My Hamster Need A Friend?

Unlike many other pets and humans, hamsters do not actively play or interact sociably with companions in their space. In the wild, hamsters are highly territorial and live solitary lives.

Adding a new hamster into your hamster’s cage is likely to result in the resident hamster aggressively trying to defend its territory. Not exactly the warm welcome the new hammie will like to receive, and one of the two may even get injured.

Syrian hamsters are particularly sensitive to intruders in their space, and keeping more than one individual in a cage must be monitored carefully. While laboratory studies have indicated that single-sex groups of Syrians can coexist in some circumstances, this largely depended on the group being housed together as a long-term fixed group. It is not recommended as an option where hamsters are kept as pets as it will almost certainly result in undesirable, aggressive behavior.

You may be thinking of getting another hamster because you are struggling to tame and handle your current little guy. However, with some time, patience, and plenty of snack rewards, your hamster will love interacting with you, but in general, they appreciate having their own little kingdoms to themselves.

If you are new to hamster ownership and are intent on getting two hamsters, Dwarf hamsters are more likely to tolerate having a cage mate than their larger relatives. However, while some dwarfs will be accepting of a companion, others won’t appreciate the company.

Hamsters each have unique personalities. While one individual may not mind having a cage mate, another will absolutely hate it, so be prepared to keep your hamsters in separate cages if necessary. If you do want to keep two hamsters, it is better to invest in two cages and duplicate equipment for each animal in case they don’t get along.

If you notice that your little pet is showing signs of stress and engaging in activities like overgrooming or cage biting, it may be signs of boredom. This does not mean it needs a friend but requires a change of scenery or some extra stimulation.

Besides its wheel, which is a must in every hamster cage, add some cardboard paper towel tubes or fun new toys, and switch them around regularly to keep the environment exciting for your little pet. Add regular playtime to your routine with your hamster – it will appreciate time with you more than stressing about protecting its stuff from another hamster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hamsters Get Lonely?

Hamsters don’t get lonely, but they do get bored. Boredom can create many problems like cage biting, and the little animal will become stressed because it has nothing to do. Instead of getting another hamster as a companion, instead, enrich your hamster’s environment by regularly switching its toys and adding fun activities like a maze.

Do Dwarf Hamsters Need A Companion?

Hamsters do not need another hamster as a companion. Keeping two hamsters together can result in stress and fights, so it is not a good idea. Many hammies enjoy spending time with their owner, but they love being only kids and prefer having a cage to themselves. Keeping two hamsters together can result in stress and fights, so it is not recommended.

Some Dwarf hamsters tolerate having a cage mate, while others don’t. It has a lot to do with individual personalities and isn’t something you will be able to change. If you keep two hamsters together, monitor them closely to ensure one isn’t being bullied, and always have plenty of activities and toys available to keep them busy.

Can You Put Two Female Hamsters In The Same Cage?

Two females from the same litter that are familiar with each other may occasionally tolerate each other, but simply putting two female hamsters into a cage together will almost certainly end in warfare. If you have a female hamster and are thinking of adding a friend, get a separate cage and put them alongside each other. Do not just pop a new hamster into your resident hamster’s cage.

Female hamsters are known to be considerably more temperamental and aggressive than males.

You would not appreciate a random stranger suddenly being dropped into your house and suddenly having to share everything from your toothbrush to your dinner plate. You may be polite, but your hamster’s instinct will be to get rid of the intruder in a far more direct way.

Can You Put A Female And A Male Hamster Together?

Putting a male and female hamster together in a cage probably won’t end up in the Love Boat scenario you imagined. Unless a female hamster is on heat, which happens every 4-5 days, she is unlikely to be impressed with having a male around and will attack him.

Female hamsters are usually more aggressive than males. Even if she is receptive to a male, her enthusiasm about having him around won’t last long, so it is unlikely to be a match made in heaven.

Male and female hamsters from the same litter are sometimes accidentally kept in the same cage when their gender is not correctly identified. This is not a great scenario because although they may not fight if they have been together since birth, they also should not breed.

Conclusion

Hamsters are solitary, highly territorial animals, so keeping two hamsters together in one cage is not a good idea. If you want more than one hamster, double up and keep them in separate cages where each can enjoy its own space. Your little buddy does not need a hamster pal; it only needs your love, care, and lots of fun activities.