Hamsters generally don't need companions. As solitary animals, most domesticated hamster breeds (such as Syrian hamsters, golden hamsters, etc.) have a strong sense of territoriality. Keeping them together in the same cage may lead to aggressive behavior and even casualties.
Specific Reasons and Suggestions
Natural Habits
In the wild, hamsters usually live alone. They ensure their survival by marking their territory and hoarding food. This habit remains even in an artificial breeding environment. The coexistence of the same species is likely to trigger territorial disputes.
Environmental Requirements
The happiness of hamsters depends more on environmental richness rather than social interaction:
Living Space: For Syrian hamsters, it is recommended that the cage be at least 47×30×30 cm, and for dwarf hamsters, it should be at least 30×20×20 cm.
Toy Setup: Exercise wheels, chew sticks, tunnels, etc. can help them expend energy. For example, an exercise wheel for hamsters can simulate their running behavior in the wild.
Food Diversity: A proper amount of mixed grains and fresh fruits and vegetables (such as carrots and apples) should be added.
Substitution of Human Interaction
The owner can establish trust by gently stroking the hamster for 10-15 minutes every day and hand-feeding it snacks (such as hamster nutritional paste) to meet its emotional needs. The search results indicate that "you (the owner) are their best companions."
Exceptions in Special Cases
If you must try to keep hamsters in the same cage, the following conditions need to be met:
Breed Selection: Choose breeds with a stronger tendency to live in groups, such as Roborovski hamsters.
Gender Control: Keep hamsters of the same gender to avoid reproduction, and provide a cage of at least 80×50 cm and divide the activity area.
Continuous Observation: If fighting is found, separate the hamsters into different cages immediately.
Summary: The so-called "loneliness" of hamsters is more of a projection of human emotions. Under scientific breeding methods, living alone is actually more in line with their natural instincts.