syrian pair help needed

Question
QUESTION: i bought what i thought was 2 female syrian hamsters, i kept 2 females before but ive learnt there male and female , the female is now nest building and i carefully removed the male but had to put him back in as the female looked very disturbed by his disapeerance and trying to escape by squeazing through bars although the bars are not large enough , she looked so disturbed i put him back in and imediatly she calmed down but im worried now that when she gives birth she will harm the male or she will harm the litter , they seem the perfect pair together and ive never been used to hamsters not wanting to separate , any chance that the pair will be fine once the litter is born ?
advice greatfully needed asap as shes very close.
thanks

ANSWER: Hi Carol,

Syrian hamsters are Solitary hamsters and they must never be kept in pairs or groups no matter what sex they are.

Please separate them now!  and do not put them back together in the same cage again - they will end up fighting and one or both of them will end up dead!

They must be kept separate, it is their natural behaviour to become solitary once they reach maturity so they should never be kept together after three or four months old.

I am guessing that you werent trying to breed but if she is pregnant then there is nothing you can do about it now - just give her plenty of fresh food and water and keep her in a quiet place.

Please do not ever put them together again and certainly do not ever let them breed again - they are probably brother and sister if you brought them from the same shop at the same time so the babies could have serious complications!

Please keep me posted with her progress and please let me know that you have separated them.

Kind Regards,

Tammy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: your right i had no idea they were male and female , the shops is pets at home there keeping all sexes together in same cage, i asked for 2 females and they asured me they were but i know how to sex hamsters and im very anoyed with the shop , the hamsters only about 6-8 weeks old , im giving her vitamins and fresh veg , carrots , apples , the shop did say to give the hamsters lettuce but ive heard this can kill the hamsters so ive not given this to them , do you think i should complain about the store?

ANSWER: Pets at Home are known for this - it is so annoying - they dont really care what sex they are selling as long as they get the money - they probably hope one is pregnant so they can earn more money if you give them the babies!!

Are you in the UK?

Complaining to them will make no difference - many people have tried before to no avail! - but you could just give them a ring and let them know that you had two different sexes from the same cage - they should not be keeping mixed sex hamsters in the same cage!

It is recommended to give your hamster a tiny amount of fresh fruit or veg each week but it shouldnt be any more than that - a tiny peice each week - more than that could upset their stomach.

A good quality hamster mix will be fine for her and provides most of the things she needs - but it is a good idea to give her extra protein by either a tiny amount of well cooked scrambled egg or ready brek - but only a tiny amount every few days until she has the babies - it is also safe to give it to the babies too.

Have you split them up yet?  Please let me know that you have - they will eventually kill each other and until that time they will not live a healthy and normal life - they will both be very stressed out!!

Good Luck.

Kind Regards,

Tammy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hamsters are now separated , male seems fine with it and female still sleeping , ive removed his cage into a diffrent room also so she cannot detect hes still around .

Answer
Hi Carol,

i am so glad you have now separated them - they will be much happier apart and will be able to live a stress free life.

I am sorry i sound like i am moaning - most people think i am over reacting too! - but they do always end up killing each other - sometimes it takes a while though - but it is always best to be safe than sorry!

Good Luck with the babies if any are born!

Please keep me posted and just ask if you need any more help.

Kind Regards,

Tammy