Does DS's Russian Dwarf hamster need a companion?

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Father Christmas gave DS a voucher for a hamster. So we went to Pets at Home and fell in love with a beautiful Winter White Russian Dwarf hamster. She'd originally been in a cage with others, but had been moved to a cage by herself as she hadn't got along with the others.

We've had her ever since - she must be about 6.5 months old now - and she's adorable. But I've read that Dwarf hamsters need company. Could she be lonely by herself?

Does her previous history of not getting along with other hamsters (and I'm still really vague on the details of that) mean we should keep her by herself? I guess we can't really buy a companion and return it if it doesn't work out?

I'd love some advice! I don't want her to be living out a lonely life if she'd rather have a friend. Any thoughts?

Thank you!

I've had a pair of dwarfs and a single before - the pair did not get on and one attacked the other quite badly so I had to separate them (they were sisters from the same litter so I was quite surprised that they didn't get along).

The single was very tame and active, I got them out to run around on the sofa every evening and enriched all the cages with lots of wooden things to hide in/climb on. They seemed happy enough.

Most hamster cages are way too small and I think a large, enriched cafe is more important to help avoid boredom. It's a risk to introduce another and they certainly don't need to live in groups.

Does she seem alright on her own with your human company? It depends on the animal. Would you have room for a second cage if you introduced a friend and she hated her? Some animals just don’t need company, it’d be like forcing an introvert to have a flatmate that eats their food and sleeps in their bed

Sorry, just noticed that yours is over 6 months old - I would say definitely do not introduce another now, it should be done at a very young age, she's unlikely to accept a cage mate. Getting to wrong can be disastrous as they can be very territorial - it's been her territory for a very long time in hamster years!

Thank you for your advice! I think it's a risk. I'll just encourage DS to play with her more to ensure she's not bored and lonely.

I'd love to get her a bigger, enriched cage. When you get a spare minute, please would you post a link to the type of cage you mean?

Thanks.

Usually dwarfs like living in pairs but usually it’s wirh another from the same litter, it’s too late to introduce another one now though and if she was separated anyway she’s prob best left alone.

The minimum recommend size is 80x50x35cm. We have the barney cages from Zooplus but if you’re looking for something cheaper the Alaska is really good.

The only company my childhood hamster wanted was my finger.
To chew on.

Nasty little fuckers imo!!
Glad yours is lovely though!!

This is some recommend cages from a hamsters group my sons girlfriend is in. :)

I had the ferplast one (middle right) - they are very big (mine were almost a metre long). I would go for something labelled as a guinea pig cage (although too small for guinea pigs ) that have solid sides, not bars as a dwarf could easily squeeze through. With all that space you can fit lots of enriching wooden toys plus a good sized wheel.

I also used to hide food, rather than put it in a bowl so that they could forage to add more interest.

On that picture you can also see "bin cages" mentioned - so plastic boxes from IKEA or similar make a brilliant substitute and are much cheaper. You need to make sure they are very well ventilated though, holes drilled into the sides and the lid replaced with something more open if you can.

Just found this great little video on line explaining how to do it. Could be a good project for your DD.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=enGB&q=making%20a%20bin%20cage&newwindow=1#kpvalbx=1&scso=uiddH6EZW8iXPMzWgQajnYHwDA2:-18,uiddH6EZW8iXPMzWgQajnYHwDA2:-2,uiddH6EZW8iXPMzWgQajnYHwDA2:0

Sorry, here