Another hamster question

[lindsay ormerod]

One of our hammies; " Richard" has sadly shuffled off this mortal coil ( already! he was only 8 months old !)
If anyone has kept hamsters they maybe able to help us out here. "Bill" the other hamster is now on his own; should we get another one as company for him as I understand they are social animals, or would that be asking for trouble ? The remaining hamster is a Campbell's Russian dwarf and is about 8 months old.
Any advice ?

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

We had a similar experience. Had two Campbells who were together from birth and one died. We didn't exactly get a replacement despite them being sociable hamsters (as opposed to the anti social type) because we figured it might not be the same introducing a total stranger to the cage but what we did do was get another two and put the cages side by side so they could communicate.

 

[lindsay ormerod]

Thanks Willow, I don't really want to get another 2 though; it could be a never ending cycle !

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

I suppose this isn't a good time to tell you that at one time we had 27

 

[lindsay ormerod]

Maybe not; Kelsey is still in mourning for Richard and has made a "flag" that is at half mast above the cage .

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

Aww bless. When our first one died we were on holiday (we took them with us - don't ask!) and we buried him at sea.

 

[junetta]

I remember when my daughter's hamster died, lots of years ago. She had gone off to the Isle of Man for a week with her school and the flippin' thing went and popped off whilst she was away. We buried it in the garden and had a bit of a service, as well as a can of Stella each and felt we had done it proud.

We were as tactful as possible when breaking the news but she sobbed her little heart out........I think she was about thirteen at the time! Big brother didn't help either as he thought the whole thing was hilarious.

Would you believe that she went and dug it up again the following day? Thought it was hibernating!

 

[lindsay ormerod]

Well, we have new hamster, he is the same species and from the same breeder as the late lamented Richard. They have been introduced and after some initial squeeking all seems well; the lady at the pet place said we would know quite soon if they are compatible as "they will tear each other apart " if not.
I think I will separate them tonight as Bob is much smaller than Bill and I am not convinced about Bill's motives !

 

[BERNADETTE]

Sounds like there could be fun at your house

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

Ooooh I hope they get on Lindsay. Sounds promising so far. Do keep us up to date.

 

[lindsay ormerod]

It's looking good so far ; they have cuddled up together once today without any fuss or squeaking so it would seem they are friends !

 

[***Mr D***]

I never liked the hampsters my little one had it wasnt that friendly and just slept all the time.

Now we have two rats, they are much more fun, sociable.

Glad your hamsters are mates.

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

Hamsters are nocturnal so they do tend to sleep a lot during the daytime.

Aaaaw lovely to hear that the new arrival is settling in well with your other hamster Lindsay.

 

[LancYorkYankee]

I used to have hamsters. Loved to hear that squeeky wheel going all night long. The parents weren't as enfatuated(sp).

My understanding of hampsters is that 2 males rarely do well together. Do ya think this cuddling is the start of a new hobby of raising baby hamsters?

Brian

 

[lindsay ormerod]

I don't think so ! I hope they are both male or we will be knee deep in the little critters !

 

[MUMMIBOO]

My 6 year old son Jacks hamster died yesterday well we think it was a couple of days ago but we only found her yesterday! he was really upset we buried katie in the garden and then he was ok and we had to go out and get another, most of his time is spent trying to think of a new name for his new pet thats a girl but he wanted a boy so its getting a boys name!! Bless.

 

[WillowTheWhisp]

My understanding of hampsters is that 2 males rarely do well together.

That's 'normal' hamsters Brian. We had this discussion a little while ago and it got quite dramatic at times. We don't want to go upsetting Less again do we? Lindsays hamsters are Russian dwarfs. There are 3 main types of dwarf hamster and they are very different from the Syrian or Golden hamsters. One really big difference is that whereas the Syrians are solitary individuals who do not like any other hamster to invade their personal space the dwarf hamsters (so called because they are much smaller, more like the size of a mouse) are gregarious creatures who prefer to have company. Sometimes they have been known to have a bit of a bust up if they are put in a cage with another hamster that they don't get along with (well I guess hamsters are like people in that respect. I can think of people I can tolerate but wouldn't want to live with.) but on the whole they are much happier with others of their kind than they are alone.