Raising Pet Hamsters

Question
Hello. We recently bred our (Syrian) hamsters, and the babies/pups have been born. Now, we just have a quick question for you. Can we keep two of these hamsters (of the same gender) from this litter together in one cage, for their entire lives? We have researched this and have received conflicting answers. We know that hamsters are typically solitary animals and need to be kept alone in individual cages, however, we have heard that brothers (together from birth) can be kept together in the same cage for their entire lives without conflict. What is your opinion?

Answer
Hi Steven,


       From personal experience male Syrian hamsters do not do well at all together, even if raised together from birth. One of them will generally become very dominate over the other (not letting the other one eat,drink or even run in the wheel) and one or both usually end up with battle wounds or worse.  I have had very good luck with two females raised together from birth living in the same cage though and I have read that it wasn't possible because female hamsters are even more territorial than males.

      I suggest that if you decide to keep to males in the same cage, that you keep a close eye on them and if they start fighting then seperate them. It may go good for a couple of months but generally the older they get the more dominate they get.
 
      I hope this was of some help to you.

Thank you for writing and best of luck!