Below is a detailed analysis of whether hamsters should be kept alone, considering their behavioral traits and care recommendations:
I. Hamsters’ Solitary Nature
Natural habits
Hamsters are typically solitary animals with a strong sense of territory. They perceive other hamsters as intruders, which can trigger fights.
In the wild, hamsters only interact briefly with the opposite sex during the breeding season; otherwise, they live entirely independently.
Risks of cohabitation
Housing same-sex hamsters together may lead to severe fights, with a mortality rate exceeding 68%.
Housing male and female hamsters together causes frequent breeding, which harms the female’s health.
II. Scientific Basis for Solitary Housing
Health benefits
Avoids injuries or infections caused by fights.
Reduces chronic stress from territorial disputes, potentially extending their lifespan.
Behavioral performance
Solitary hamsters are more likely to build trust with their owners and show less aggression during interactions.
Hamsters kept alone have a larger activity range and engage in more exploratory behaviors.
III. Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Misunderstanding about "loneliness"
Hamsters have no social needs; human emotional projections do not apply to them.
Providing toys (such as exercise wheels and tunnels) better meets their needs than companionship from other hamsters.
Exceptions for young hamsters
Baby hamsters (before weaning) can live in groups temporarily, but they must be separated once sexually mature.
IV. Care Recommendations
Basic requirements
Each hamster should have its own cage (with a minimum activity area of 0.3 square meters).
Daily interaction with the owner for 10–15 minutes is sufficient to meet their social needs.
Special breeds
Roborovski hamsters (also called "dwarf desert hamsters") can be tentatively housed in groups, but close observation is still necessary.
Note: All recommendations are based on their biological traits. Forcing cohabitation violates animal welfare principles.