Robo Dwarf hamsters

Question
i have 2 male robo dwarf hamsters in the same cage. i was told they were born in the same litter, so i thought it would be okay to keep them together. my question is how to tell if they are fighting or play fighting.they fight quite a bit,with loud squeaking and lots of physical contact, and just now, one has a bloody paw from it. should i separate them? or just break up the fights when they occur?
thanks, it means a lot.
-Tim

Answer
Hi Tim

It is really frustrating when something like this happens.  If you want to keep two dwarf hamsters together they do need to be related.  However there is never any guarantee that they will get on and sometimes fighting seems to come from nowhere.  

Deciding whether to split hamsters is difficult - once you have done it you cannot put them back together.  However, if there are clear signs that the fighting has become serious, then it is important to split them.

All animals kept together in captivity will have the odd argument/squabble, but it should be a once in a while thing rather than regular daily event.  Also, after the argument, the hamsters should settle down to sleeping, eating together.

If they are squabbling a lot, and there are clear injuries then it is definitely likely that they will need splitting.  Also, if it always seems to be the same one who is bullying, if one starts sleeping alone, if one is always pounced on if he tries to get food etc. then separate.  If you don't the one being picked on all the time will lose weight and get stressed - his life will become a misery.

Regarding the injury - bathe this with a little salt water to prevent infection. It would be worth checking both of them for bite marks - if there are other marks on their bodies, then split them.

How big is their cage?  Are there plenty of things for them to do?  Do they have a mini wheel that they use?  If so, then it would be worth getting a second one, and plenty of tubes etc. so that they don't fight over the same things.  Instead of putting food in a bowl, drop a handful in their cage so that they can both find food everywhere.  

I would suggest monitoring them carefully and trying a few things to create an interesting home for them so that their energy is used on their toys etc. and running around, rather than on each other.  If they continue fighting, and there are clear injuries then I would advise either splitting the cage in two if if it large enough and you can do this, or moving one into another cage permanently.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila