Please help: I'm so worried!

[PinkyLee]

I've only had my Campbells (Anikin and Padme...sorry: we're Star Wars fans!!!) for 4 weeks and so I'm really new to all this. I know that they do play fight and was warned by the breeders that there can be rather frightening squeaks as a result. I also know that this is normal behaviour in establishing dominence within the cage. But they are fighting at least 3 or 4 times a day, and one looks like she has been scratched-its not heavy bleeding, just looks as though the other has caught her. I don't want to separate them unless I really have to because a) I don't want them to get lonely, and b) I don't to risk more serious fights by introducing strangers. Please can you help. Its so distressing hearing Padme shriek (Anikin has lived up to his name sake and turned to the Dark Side!!!!) and I don't want to work myself up into a frenzy about something that's just normal, but I also don't want them to suffer. HELP!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

[Fathipposrule]

put vanilla extract on a cotton ball and the rub it all over both of the hamsters. They might be fighting because they smell different and the vanilla extract will mask both of their scents.

[7GameSavvy]

Good idea Fat4 times a day doesn't sound that bad. Padme might have just gotten caught on tooth or claw during a scurmish. Unless more serious wounds result, I would just see what happens. Also, are they male and female??? Because if they are eventually they will breed and you will end up with a lot of unwanted babies running around!!!:D

Hope that helps!!!

Savvy

[PinkyLee]

Thanks guys. Both Anikin and Padme are females-I couldn't have coped with babies as well! We've tried ignoring the fighting and it seems Padme is holding her own. I checked her out while I was cleaning their cage yesterday, and it seemed that the little amount of blood that there was looked worse because of where she was cleaning herself up and her fur was a bit damp. I suppose I was over-reacting but i guess its better to be safe than sorry. :worried:

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the vanilla extract if things don't calm down.

Emxxxxx

[7GameSavvy]

Ok Pinky, glad to help. Keep us posted!!!
:D
Savvy

[hamstie]

well, i think you are right to be worried, when i got my campbells i had the same problem (except it never came to blood) but one would always attack the other one and i tried everything but nothing worked to make them stop fighting so i just figured well it must be normal. but it is NOT normal. i think you should definately seperate them especially since it came to blood. i wound up trading the agressor for a different hamster and the two i have now get along great and they NEVER fight. im so glad i did this because the submissive one was really really not happy and she was constantly in defense mode and stressed out and scared all the time, now she is very very happy and they sleep cuddled up all the time. i think some dwarfs like the one i had to trade in just prefer to be on their own.

[PinkyLee]

Hi everyone.
just thought I'd let you know what's been happening. Anikin and Padme are still fighting, but it's nowhere near as bad as it was. They seem to be spending a lot more time curled up together. I don't know why they've calmed down, in fact its calmed down quicker than they began fighting. I think it's because my boyfriend and I haven't been trying to interfere-I read somewhere that trying to physically stop the skirmishes can make it worse. I don't know: I'm completely baffled, although saying all this, I'll probably go back upstairs and find them fighting (I sure hope not...it really upsets me-I really wish they could understand how much we love them!) Any way, I just want to say thank you for your advice-it's been so reassuring! THANK YOU!

[o0sapphirerat0o]

maybe it's because they were in heat and just in a bad mood? lol

[hamstie]

if they dont keep getting calmer and calmer i really hope you seperate them because its not normal or healthy for them to fight like that, its constant stress for the one getting attacked and stress is very bad for animals.

[PinkyLee]

I've had to separate them :( The submissive (Padme) was sleeping in the house all alone-Anikin had taken all the bedding and everything and it was obvious Padme was unhappy! I contacted the breeders and they offered to help find Padme a new play mate, only that hamster attacked her even worse than Anikin did. This is breaking my heart. I hate to think of them in a cage on their own, especially since I have read that they like having company, but it's obvious to me now that they're going to have to be alone, always.

[PinkyLee]

Oh, and now Anikin is showing signs of being unhappy! I can't win!

[TiaMaria]

I breed campbells and mine squabble all the time, it's really nothing to worry about. They are just trying to establish there dominance. Simply because one female will be more dominating then the other. So no worries. put them back together and put in more bedding and some toilet paper. lots of food and 2 water bottles. Things will settle down trust me.

good luck
~Tia

[TiaMaria]

I know this whole thing must be very stressful for you but once they are back together things will settle down. They can handle there own and I really believe things will be fine. I've been a breeder for a while now and understand the whole worry process of everything going on. They will be sad not living together simply because they we use to being housed together. They get depressed too!