How to Introduce Hamsters to Each Other

It is possible to keep two hamsters in one cage, though hamsters will often fight. Watch your hamsters carefully in the beginning to make sure they get along.

Things You'll Need

  • Fruits
  • Cage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start with litter mates. This is the easiest way to guarantee two hamsters will get along. If they were born together, they will need no introduction to each other. Keeping two of the same sex works best and is most practical, otherwise you will soon have baby hamsters.

    • 2

      Buy young hamsters, three to seven weeks old is best. Dzungarian Dwarf hamsters, short dwarf hamsters and Russian hamsters supposedly can live happily together.

    • 3

      Keep the two hamsters separate, initially, if they are not litter mates.

    • 4

      Remove one hamster from its cage and put it in a box for a few minutes. Remove the second hamster and place it inside the first hamster's cage. Put the first hamster into the second hamster's cage. Let the hamsters stay in each other's cages for several hours, then return each hamster to his own, individual cage.

    • 5

      Repeat this for several days. At first, the hamsters may appear nervous when in the other's cage, but after a few days, each hamster should appear comfortable. Time to move on to the next phase of introduction.

    • 6

      Put the hamsters down on the floor in an enclosed room to exercise together. Make sure the doors and heating registers are closed, and that any dangerous objects are removed.

    • 7

      Allow the hamsters to interact in the wide open space of the floor. Observe their behavior. Do they sniff each other? Do they play close to each other? Or do they tussle, or try and bite each other? Repeat this process as often as you can for several days.

    • 8

      Buy a bigger cage. Try to get one at least twice the size of your original cage. The less cramped the hamsters are, the less claustrophobic they feel, and they'll be more likely to get along.

    • 9

      Move them into the bigger cage together. Observe them closely for the first 24 hours, especially in the evening, when hamsters are most active. If they are going to fight, it is more likely they will do so when they are awake and energetic.

    • 10

      Monitor their behavior over the next few months. Sometimes it takes a while for hamsters to decide they don't like one another. If you see them tussling, biting or find that one is cornering or bullying the other, separate the hamsters.