Russian Campbells

Question
Hello., I'm wondering if you could help me. I have two female campbells and they fight. I bought them both together and from the same litter and the pet shop i bought them from is international and recommended by many. I put them in their cage and they came out of their temp carrier box in their own time and on their own accord as i wanted them to get used to their surroundings and the different smells around them. The problem is they fight. Pip is the more dominant one and Ham is the shy one. Pip will happily run around and play on everything and eats with no problem, I am also getting successful in taming her but i am doing so gradually so as not to scare them. But Ham stays in the house all the time - even at night. When she is brave enough to venture out, Pip goes for her and chases her and they end up fighting and Ham runs back into the house and won't come out other than poke her nose out when my hand enters the cage. I have spoken to two different pet shops including the one i bought them from and they both had the same answer - separate them. This seems good enough for me and i know they can live happily on their own despite being a sociable breed. I just don't want Ham to be afraid to do anything and as i mentioned earlier, she won't come out of the house anymore. I don't want her to have to live like this as is not fair and she shouldn't have to be confined to her sleeping place all the time. When I check on her at night she is in fact awake but just won't come out. I think this is due to Pip. Can I please have your advice on this matter seeing as you are on expert and own 20 hamsters. I wanted to opt for getting two Roborovski hamsters but were told they are really fast and are more difficult to handle, so as my first hamsters I went for the Russian Campbells as they are slower and not as difficult. I would be grateful if you could answer my question as soon as possible as I'm getting a bit desperate because I don't want one of them to get badly hurt, which i know can happen.



Thanks so much, I anxiously await your answer."


Answer
Hi Amy

I'm sorry to hear that Pip and Ham aren't getting on.  Unfortunately this does happen with dwarf hamsters, and in my experience Campbells can be a bit temperamental.  If you are lucky they get on fine, but there always has to be a dominant one in the cage.

The advice you have been given is correct - they should be separated.  Chances are Ham will come around once she is in her own environment and away from Pip.  of course from your point of view this means two cages, double the cleaning and products, etc. but Ham's life is obviously not very pleasant right now.

Once you separate them you may well have to put in extra work with Ham to try and win her confidence but hopefully without Pip bullying her she will be much better and happier.

Regards