We don’t typically think of our pets as capable of being lonely like us, but the truth might surprise you.
It is important that you maintain your pet’s mental health so they live a long and happy life.
Does my Hamster Ever Get Lonely?
Hamsters do not get lonely in the same way that humans do. This is because these animals are not wired for social interaction like us. These animals can, however, experience higher stress levels without regular interaction with their owners.
The fact is that certain hamsters do better when they are kept together with their own kind, while others prefer to be on their own. There are even certain hamster species that tend to fight with others of their own kind when kept in a cage with them.
Getting a Companion for Your Hamster
There are a number of things that you’ll want to consider before getting a companion for your hamster. You don’t want to choose just any hamster to put in the case with them, as it could have devastating consequences.
Syrian hamsters don’t do well with other hamsters, so you need to keep this in mind. Even some dwarf hamsters shouldn’t be kept together. If you have a Roborvski Dwarf hamster, you should only keep it with members of the same sex.
A vast majority of hamsters won’t get lonely, stressed or anxious if they do not have a cage mate. That being said, there are certain types of these animals that do especially well when kept in a pair.
Creating an ideal Habitat
If you are going to get a companion for your hamster, there are some considerations that you will need to make. It is very important that you set up the hamster’s habitat in a way that does not promote conflict or fighting.
Make sure that each of your hamsters have their own food bowls, exercise wheel, bedding and everything else. If the hamsters in the cage have to share certain things, they could start fighting on a regular basis.
It is never a good idea to keep more than two hamsters in the same cage or habitat together, regardless of how large it is. This will only increase the chances of fighting.
Social Habits of Hamsters
As we mentioned above, not all hamsters are the same in terms of their social habits and preferences. You will therefore want to learn at least a little bit about some of these rodents.
Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters
It is usually okay to keep Campbell’s Dwarf hamsters together, but not different sexes. You don’t want to keep a male and a female together in the same cage.
This will only promote fighting, which is obviously not good. These hamsters are fairly social creatures, but they can get into violent fights with members of the same sex.
Chinese Hamsters
If you have a Chinese hamster, you will need to consider their own unique personality. Some of these hamsters do well living with another of their own kind, while others do not.
You might just have to try it out and see what happens. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on your hamsters to see how they get along together.
Winter White Hamsters
You can typically keep Winter White hamsters together, but not more than two in one cage. These hamsters are not known for being particularly territorial or aggressive. It is ideal to keep siblings with each other; they will already have bonded and most likely get along well.
Keeping Hamsters with Other Rodents
It is generally not a good idea to keep hamsters with other rodents in the same cage. This includes gerbils and chinchillas. While it might seem like these animals would naturally get along, this is rarely the case.
One of the reasons why different types of rodents don’t usually get along living together is because they have different sleep habits. If your gerbil is up and active while your hamster is trying to sleep, conflict will almost certainly ensure very quickly.
Interacting with Your Hamster
While hamsters don’t really get lonely per se, you should still make a point of interacting with them on a regular basis. This means physically handling your hamster and playing with it. These animals need stimulation in order to stay mentally and physically healthy.
If you do not interact with your hamster regularly, there is a good chance that your bond will be affected in a very negative way. You should therefore make a point of spending at least 15-30 minutes with your hamster every single day.
Can Hamsters Become Bored?
A hamster can most definitely experience boredom, especially if they don’t have an exercise wheel and toys in their cage. It is recommended that you keep your hamster in a habitat with tunnels that it can crawl around as well.
There is no question that a lack of stimulation can take a majorly negative toll on your hamster’s health. These animals have a lot of energy they need to expend on a daily basis, which is why it is so important for them to have toys to play with.
Conclusion
- While hamsters do not get lonely in the same way that humans do, they still crave interaction with their owners.
- Before you get your hamster a companion, you need to think carefully about its personality and species.
- Certain hamster species don’t get along with their own kind in captivity, including Syrian hamsters.
- Campbell’s dwarf hamsters can be kept together, but only if they are not the same sex.
- Winter White hamsters often get along when kept together, but this is not always the case.
- If you have a Chinese hamster, you’ll need to consider their own unique personality before deciding to get them a cage mate.
- Make sure that your hamster has lots of different toys to play with so it gets enough stimulation and doesn’t become bored.
- You should make a point of interacting with your hamster for at least 15 minutes each day.
