Do hamsters get lonely? That's a great question. We often see hamsters living quite happily with other hamsters, but are they just as happy on their own? We spoke to vet, Dr. Rebecca MacMillan to find out.
When thinking about how to bond with your hamster, you probably already know that spending quality time with them is key. We're sure that your mini furry friend loves spending time with you, but it does make you wonder how they are faring when you're away from them.
Are they sad or lonely, or are they happier having their own space in one of the best hamster cages? This feature will lay out if hamsters do, in fact, get lonely and which hamster breeds do better alone.
Do hamsters get lonely?
So, do hamsters get lonely? The ultimate answer is that there is no proof or research to show that hamsters get lonely. Dr. MacMillan says, "Hamsters don’t appear to suffer from loneliness and seem quite happy in their own company."
Hamsters are generally solitary animals. In the wild, they would get together to mate but would not necessarily stay together after that. In fact, hamsters can become quite territorial and even fight if they feel their space has been encroached on.
What kinds of hamster should be kept seperate?
Which hamster breeds should live alone? Syrian hamsters should be housed by themselves.
"Syrian hamsters need to be kept alone, regardless of their gender. In the wild, this species of hamster only usually come together to mate, so housing them together will result in aggression, fighting, and injuries," she goes on to say, "They can be extremely territorial, so from eight to 10 weeks of age, Syrian hamsters need to be separated from their littermates and housed in separate cages."
Can hamster live together?
Chinese hamsters, dwarf hamsters, winter white hamsters, Roborovski hamsters, and Cambell's dwarf hamsters are all species that can safely be kept together. If you are going to have these hamsters living together you'll want to ensure that they are of the same gender and littermates, Dr. MacMillan advises.
How big should a hamster cage be? While a cage for a hamster living alone should be no smaller than 40in x 20in x 20in, you'll want to ensure that there is much more space than that for two hamsters. They will also need plenty of resources to prevent stress and boredom. You'll want to make sure that their home is stocked with plenty of the best hamster toys to keep them busy.
Dr. MacMillan adds, "You will also need to keep a close eye on them, checking regularly for any signs of injuries. If your hamsters start fighting, then you will need to permanently separate them."
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Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
