New adoption

Question
Hi Sheila
After the death of my spiny mouse I went to our local rescue and adopted two female dwarf hamsters. As I volunteer there from time to time, I know that there was a 3rd hamster in the same tiny cage for a while. Before I purchased the remaining 2, I had a good look at them. They are full grown, one is a bit bigger than the other. The smaller one appeared to have 2 bite marks on it and it is favouring it's rear left leg; there appears to be a bite mark on the foot. None appear infected. The cage they were in was very small with one wheel that wasn't working properly. I have moved them into a large 20 gallon tank with 2 wheels, lots of hiding spots and tubes. They have not fought in the time I have been watching them. My question is, if I need to take the injured one to the vet, I assume I need to take both, so they aren't separated. How long if any time can they be apart and still accept the other? I'm hoping with the larger habitat what ever squabbles will stop, if that is in fact what happened. I have never had two in one cage...many individuals but not a pair. Any tips?
Thanks for your time,
KJ

Answer
Hi KJ

It's nice to hear from you again.

It is difficult with dwarf hamsters as sometimes they get along well, other times they fight.  Once they start fighting it is difficult to stop them and they tend to need to be separated.  Hopefully the one who caused the injuries is the one that has been rehomed separately.

I would definitely recommend that you take them both to the vet together.  If you just take one and they return home smelling of strange things, this can prompt a reaction from the other one.  If you take them together, the vet could perhaps touch the bedding and both hamsters so that their scent is on both of them.  Also, sometimes if one needs medication in the form of a cream/ointment, it is wise to put a tiny amount on the other one so that they both smell the same.

When I've had to separate gerbils for surgery etc. I was always told that they must be put back in with each other within 5 days.  This has always worked.  If there is ever an illness, then it is best to keep them together and treat them with the same medication, but if for example one needed surgery and you were worried that the other one might chew their stitches etc. then it is worth separating them just for two or three days.  During this time it is vital that they still smell each other.  The best thing is either to swap their bedding over daily, or actually swap them over.  By having each other's scent around them should stop them reacting when they are reintroduced.  Sadly there is never any guarantee, but I have found this to work well.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila