Hamsters (merged)

DO_Jo

Hi looking for some advice please about keeping hamsters.

I received three male hamsters from freecycle one is approx. 8 months old the other two are his sons and they are 4 months old. After doing some research I now know that adult syrian hamsters are solitary animals and shouldn't live together. They seen to live quite happily together as they obviously have since the sons were born, but I don't know what goes on at night when they are most active. Shall I re-freecycle two of them to different people and should I contact the lady I got them from first to tell her what I intend to do?

Thanks
Jo

keelykat

Hi-they def should NOT be kept together, seriously.

They need their own seperate cages I'm afraid!

Keely.

hayleyc_2

I'm surprised the hamsters have survived together as long as they have! Syrian hamsters definitely should not be kept together. I personally think animals should not be put on freecycle, so would not recommend re-freecycling them. It would be better if you could go via a proper rescue organisation so they will be guaranteed a good home rather than giving them away to anyone on freecycle. I'm a joint moderator on our local freecycle and ended up fostering a hamster for a couple of weeks because someone wanted to put it on freecycle and we said no (animals are not allowed to be posted on our group as they are not rubbish to be saved from landfill!). I was really worried where it was going to end up so I took it on and found it a home with someone I knew. At least then I knew it would be looked after properly. I was really glad I took it on because its cage was an awful state and had obviously not been cleaned out properly for months, so I don't have much faith that the person would have had its best interests at heart and just wanted to get rid. Personally if I'd taken on the 3 hamsters and had room, I'd just buy 2 more cages and keep them all

Hayley

harveybobbles

We had two males that lived together ok for a while. Until I found better use for their hutch...

faerie_girl

Can't you get another cage to keep them seperate? One of them could end up attacking and eating the other one?

Where do you live because my hamster Fred died last thursday and i have a spare cage an accessories

DO_Jo

Thanks for the replys so far. Sorry to hear about Fred, I live in Hampshire. I want whats best for the hammy's but havn't really got space for three cages. I think I'll see if I know anyone that will take them on or phone the local shelter.

Kelinik

Have PMd you DO Jo.

Kelinik

Any updates?

MINMOUSE

We are taking my friends hamster as she is emigrating and I wondered if anyone out there could give advise. My dd is allergic to nuts and I am not having much luck finding a nut free hamster food. Has anyone any suggestions.
Many thanks

trace_567

I don't know if its possible to buy any from anyway. I did have a thought though. You could try going to your local pet shop, they might be able to either create a mix for you, or you could buy things seperately and mix them yourself. I'm not sure what pet shops do these days, but you used to be able to buy oats, pellets and things seperately. They'd also probably be able to give you and idea of what things should go into any mix.

eyelinerprincess

I recently bought gerbil food which had no nuts in it (which was a pain as my two go crazy over them) called Gerri Gerbil, they also do another one called Harry Hamster, but I'm not sure if it has nuts in it, might be worth dropping them an email at russel@suppet.co.uk