If you have more than one hamster, you will notice them fighting more often. This is a significant concern, as sometimes they may fight to the death. Nevertheless, knowing the cause of their fights and how to stop them is essential. So, why do hamsters fight?
Here are ten reasons why hamsters fight:
1. Inadequate Space
Hamsters fight when they lack enough space for playing. These territorial rodents sometimes fight their mates to retain a specific space. Therefore, it is best to offer an adequate space of 360 square inches to a single hamster and at least twice the amount for two hamsters.
2. Stress
A stressed hamster is likely to be aggressive to take out its stress. Hamsters are mostly stressed when separated from their partners due to their sedentary lifestyle and lack of mental stimulation. It is essential to give your hamsters enough toys to make them happy.
3. Unfamiliarity
Hamsters can fight when a new one is introduced into their cages. They become aggressive due to fear and anxiety. Primarily, when a hamster is unfamiliar with another hamster’s scent, they will probably conflict and fight each other.
It is best to gradually introduce hamsters by caging them separately and exchanging their accessories to familiarize themselves with the scent.
4. Feeling Threatened
Hamsters do not like feeling threatened by others, as they will start a fight to prove their dominance.
These rodents like having a safe environment where they live and play together. If one bites another in the belly, they feel threatened and fight.
5. Inadequate Food and Water
Lack of food and water can lead to competition for resources, leading to fights. Hamsters like feeding enough without having to compete with each other. Thus, poor-quality meals and water will only create conflict between hamsters.
6. Caging Hamsters of Different Sexes
If you cage hamsters of different sexes together, they will likely fight over mating. Both males and females will become more aggressive due to mating competition. Therefore, it is vital to separate hamsters based on their gender until they reach their breeding phase, where you pair them up.
7. Unsociable Hamster Species
There are unsociable hamster species like the Syrian hamster, also known as teddy bear hamsters. This species of hamster usually plays together when they are young. After attaining maturity, Syrian hamsters’ fighting becomes regular to achieve dominance.
Another species is the dwarf hamster, which typically play fight. However, once you notice bleeding and deep scars on their bodies, consider separating them because they are now fighting.
8. Hierarchical Position
Hamsters fight to attain the highest hierarchy in their cage. Usually, they fight to create a dominant and submissive hierarchy. Mostly, the hamster that fights hard, causing wounds, will be dominant, while the loser becomes submissive to the winner.
Therefore, the dominant hamster will access the best accessories, such as toys, food, nesting areas, etc.
9. Lack of Young Social Exposure
Hamsters will only socialize with one another when they are young to establish a bond and play together.
It is impossible to establish a bond when they grow up due to their poor socialization. This will lead to fighting since they want to keep their territory and resources private.
10. Dirty Cage
Hamsters are just like humans since they love a clean cage. A clean environment makes hamsters thrive well. On the other hand, a dirty cage makes hamsters develop stress that will make them aggressive.
The foul smell of the cage can also make them sick; thus, it is vital to maintain hygiene in the hamster’s cage.
Do Hamsters Fight If They Are in the Same Cage?
Hamsters are rodents with territorial behavior and thus will always fight when housed in the same cage. Hamsters prefer having personal accessories such as toys, best feeds, and nesting points.
Once they have a partner, they are most likely to fight to attain the dominant hierarchy, where the dominant will have access to all the best accessories compared to the subservient hamster.
Therefore, consider separating hamsters by housing them in different cages to avoid fights that may lead to death.
How Do You Stop Hamsters from Fighting?
If you see hamsters fighting and bleeding, it is crucial to carry out the following tips to stop them from fighting:
1. Separate the hamsters by putting them in different cages.
2. Put the hamster cages side by side to familiarize yourself with each other’s smell.
3. Get your hamsters a bigger cage.
4. Provide enough feed and water for your hamsters.
5. Handle both hamsters equally before returning them to their cages.
What Is the Difference Between Hamsters Fighting and Playing?
Hamsters naturally undertake appeasement when playing, where one hamster will roll onto its back and surrender to the other. At the same time, none of them wants to submit during the fighting, leading to fights that will determine dominance.
Also, hamsters play through grooming each other, where one of them will hold the other down during the play, while during the fighting, the hamsters will always scratch the body of the other and bite when holding it down, especially the dominant hamster.
When hamsters play, they do not have any marks or bruises on their bodies, while during fights, they are seen bleeding and having wounds. When you notice this sign in your hamsters, consider separating them immediately before they kill each other.
Why Are My Dwarf Hamsters Fighting All of a Sudden?
Your dwarf hamsters are fighting suddenly because of maturity, which causes a rise in hormonal levels that results in territorial behavior. These species of hamsters usually fight to set the dominance hierarchy.
When they are still young, they are generally innocent and play together, but as they mature, they become more aggressive and fight more often.
Do Dwarf Hamsters Fight to the Death?
Yes, dwarf hamsters usually fight to the death. Dwarf hamsters fighting for blood is common, especially when caged together.
This species is very prone to territorial behavior, and aggressiveness can even start at a very young age. Once you notice any fights in the cage, it is essential to separate them and house them in a different cage immediately.