Male hamsters are generally not recommended to be housed together, and below is a comprehensive analysis and corresponding advice:
I. Risks of Housing Male Hamsters Together
Territorial Conflicts
Hamsters are solitary animals, and adult males have an extremely strong sense of territory. They may engage in fierce fights over space, food, or toys, which can lead to severe injuries or even death in serious cases.
Aggressive Behavior
When male hamsters are caged together, they may bite, gnaw, or even cannibalize each other in the process of competing for dominance. This is especially likely to happen when food is insufficient or the living space is cramped.
Health Risks
Continuous fighting can cause stress responses in hamsters, which may lead to decreased immunity, wound infections, and other health issues.
II. Notes on Special Circumstances
Juvenile Hamsters
Unweaned baby hamsters (younger than 3 weeks old) may be temporarily housed together. However, they must be separated into individual cages after 2 months of age; otherwise, sexual maturity will trigger aggressive behavior.
Rare Successful Cases
In very rare instances, littermate male hamsters that have been raised together since birth may live in peace. Even so, the following conditions must be met:
An extra-large living space (a minimum of 60cm × 40cm is recommended).
Sufficient food and toys (each hamster should have at least 1 exercise wheel and 2 food bowls).
24-hour close observation.
III. Science-Based Housing Advice
Principle of Separate Caging
Adult male hamsters must be housed in individual cages. The distance between cages should be at least 30cm to minimize odor interference. If you need to observe their interaction, a "socialization cage" with a partition in the middle can be used.
Emergency Handling
If fighting is observed, the hamsters must be separated into different cages immediately. Injured hamsters should be isolated individually, and their wounds should be disinfected.
Alternative Solutions
If you want to keep multiple hamsters and observe them, you can consider housing them in adjacent cages or using transparent acrylic partitions.
In summary, housing male hamsters together carries extremely high risks, and professional breeders all recommend separate caging. If you insist on attempting cohabitation, you must be prepared to separate them into different cages in case of an emergency and be ready to accept potential tragic outcomes.