can 2 hamsters be housed together?

well...that depends on the breed, age, sex, cage size, and family origin of the two hamsters

no two syrians can be housed together, here's a link about housing syrains:

http://www.soehamsterclub.com/nhchouse.html

however two dwarfs, under the right conditions, can be housed together; here is a link discussing housing for dwarfs:

http://members.aol.com/__121b_1wJtefiU/klUflwm9iHo...

some important things to remember when buying two dwarfs to house together:

1- buy two dwarfs that are both young (under two months old)

2- buy two dwarfs from the same litter

3- buy two dwarfs that share a cage at the pet store

4- buy two dwarfs of the same gender (either both male or both female, otherwise you could go from having two dwarfs to having over ten dwarfs in a few months time)

5- buy from a good pet store, or adopt ( http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?pet.... ), you can tell if you're in a good pet store buy the conditions of the cages and by the knowledge of the staff, for example: I once went into petland to look for a cat tree and was told by a staff member that they were having a buy one get one free sale on syrian hamsters, when I commented on not being able to house to syrians together the store worker tried to tell me it was oh-kay as long as they were from the same cage! (I walked out without buying anything.) Whereas I once went with a friend to buy a hamster from petco, and the manager wouldn't let her go home with two syrians unless she had two cages at home.

6- campbells are the best dwarf breed when attempting to house two together

now, once you get the hamsters home you'll want to know how to avoid territory issues:

1- have two wheels (although they may run in one at the same time, it is important to have two in case of any territory issues)

2- do not use a food bowl as this can cause a territory issue; instead spread the food out all over the bedding so that they won't fight over the bowl (they will still fight over the bowl if there are two bowls, I've learned from local breeders that scattering food onto the bedding is the best method of feeding when attempting to house two dwarfs together

3- buy the largest cage possible! I prefer bin cages, however make sure that the cage is a minimum size of 18 inches by 12 inches for the floor space, and at least 12 inches high (minimum size, get larger if you can, note that most store bought cages, especially crittertrails, are not large enough for one hamster to humanly live, so attempting to house two hamsters together in a cage that is two small for one will cause a fight)

general things to remember:

---you may want to keep both cages and attach them with tubes so that your hamsters get the most amount of space possible

---you will want to keep a second emergency cage in case a fight breaks out and your hamsters need to be separated

---remember that even if your hamsters live peacefully for several months or even a year they can still start fighting out of no where (many people on here have housed two hamsters together thinking everything was cool until one morning they woke up and one hamster was dead) , so keep a close eye out and if you see a fight starting then separate them and do not attempt to cage them together anymore (you want to prevent a fight because if they do fight then on of them will die)

good luck!

Yo have done alot of research good for you! You know they need to be introduced at a young age (in the petstore). The only thing you need to know is if you want two hamsters in the same cage then they need to be dwarf hamsters. Syrian hamsters are more territoral which means they can't be housed in twos or more once they are older then 6 weeks. Dwarfs on the other hand are very social and can be housed in 2 + but not too many though. They just have to be housed together and introduced at a young age.

Kudos for you for to research on same gender and two cages just in case.

P.S: It is a good idea to have the same amount of cages as hamsters, in case they start fighting, and they can be seperated in to two cages. Even if they have been housed together at a young age they sometimes still fight.

Good luck, and all the best!

yes When selecting a cage, keep in mind the golden rules of happy hamster housing. Syrian hamsters are solitary and MUST live alone. One Syrian hamster per cage and nothing more. Dwarf hamsters are social, on the other hand, and like to live in pairs. Do not house male and female dwarf hamsters together, since rodents breed quickly—and often—with large litters. The ASPCA requires you to keep a Syrian hamster in a wire cage or a ten-gallon aquarium with a wire-mesh top. The fancier cages with tubes, tunnels and hideaways are good, too, but they generally cost more and are harder to clean. If you have space for a larger cage, it will be much appreciated. Dwarf hamsters can be kept in a cage made for mice. The enclosure should be placed away from direct sunlight and drafts, and lined with an absorbent bedding such as timothy hay, aspen shavings, shredded paper or pelleted bedding. Do not use pine or cedar chips, as the fumes from these products can be harmful to your hammie Hamsters love exercise, make sure yours has a wheel for running. Hamsters also like to hide and sleep inside enclosed spaces, so you’ll need a small box with an entrance hole or a small flower pot for this purpose. And they love crawling through tubes, which can be homemade (empty cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper.) or purchased from a pet supply store. And finally, you may notice that your hammy is a major creature of comfort. Remember to regularly give him small pieces of paper towel or napkin to shred and make a nest with.

As long as they're the same gender, then you should have no worries. You might have an agressive hamster, so I don't suggest you get rid of the second cage entirely. Most hamsters get along just fine, but like all animals, they do have tiffs every now and then. If the tiffs turn serious, or they happen often, I'd suggest you put them in seprate cages.

No! Syrian hamsters are the most common in pet stores and should never be housed together after a certain age,they are solitary animals and will fight causing injuries and possibly death.

Some breeds like the Russian dwarf hamster can live together if introduced at a very young age.Ask in the pet store.

You could try getting gerbils if you want something for the cage, their group animals and will live together happily.

I have two dwarf female hamsters, both from the same litter. I adopted them from our local animal shelter! We brought them home together, one night, and, put them in the same cage. Over the next few weeks, we had heard them sqeeking, playing, and, fighting. At first, I thought that they would be fine, but, later that week, I noticed that one of them had a bloody eye! I quickly took her out, and, put her in a seperate cage, that, luckily, we had on hand! That's where they are now. They sleep all day, and, they live in their own cages. We have tried taking them out, both, together, and let them play, but, they go back to fighting! Though, I have heard that some females do get along, you can try it out, but, keep a close eye on them for the next few days. Make sure that you have a cage on hand, with bedding, food water and toys, just in case they do start to fight. Fighting can lead to blood, and, sometimes even death! Again, you try it, if you REALLY want to, but, my oppioion, stick to one, or, clean two cages every week. I hope that this answers your question! Thanks, and, good luck,

~ Future Vet

maybe try to get two that seemed to get along together at the pet store, and if not, they sell walls so you can split the cage into two. still don't like the answer? ask a friend if they have a cage from a pet that passed away and maybe they will lend it to you.

It depends.

If they are Syrian Hamsters (Teddy Bears, Black Bears, Golden Hamsters, etc.) DO NOT HOUSE 2 OF THEM IN ONE CAGE! All Syrian Hamsters are territorial/solitary and they can fight and cause serious injuries or it can even be fatal for them. Only ONE per CAGE!

If they are Dwarf Hamsters or Roborovski Hamsters, than it is best to get a pair of females but still doesn't guarantee that they won't fight at all. It's just that females tend to fight less than males. If your females fight and draw blood, separate them fast!I have a pair of male Dwarf Hamsters and they fight a lot lately. Good luck with your hamster/s!

Also check this out: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www....

Hamsters generally are not social animals. If housed together from birth is possible for a pair to get along BUT if you try and introduce a stranger they WILL fight until one or the other is dead. Dead either from injuries or the stress of being picked on all the time.

no that should be fine. most pet shops try persude you to take 2 at a time as it gives the other company. some pet shops do deal like 2 for £10. it is good to take 2. although female rodents are very nasty. females tend to be spitful and will probably bite. male rodents are more calm.