Hamsters are cute little creatures that capture our hearts with their adorable antics and round, furry bodies. They make great pets for many reasons, but sometimes things can go wrong.

Specifically, when it comes to housing, there are some pitfalls that many hamster owners fall into. If you have four hamsters living together in one cage, there are several risks to be aware of. Here are five reasons that can be crushed, and how to react.

1. Space limitations

One of the biggest mistakes that hamster owners make is not providing enough space for their pets. Even if you only have one hamster, they need a cage that’s at least 2 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 1 foot tall.

But if you have four hamsters in one cage, you’ll need much more space than that. Even a cage that’s 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet tall might not be enough for four hamsters to live comfortably.

If you notice your hamsters fighting or exhibiting other signs of stress, the first thing you should consider is whether they have enough space. You may need to upgrade to a larger cage, or even split the hamsters up into separate cages.

2. Fighting

Hamsters are generally solitary animals who prefer to live alone. If you have four hamsters living together, there’s a good chance that they’ll start fighting.

This can be dangerous, as hamsters have sharp teeth and can inflict serious injuries on each other.

If you notice your hamsters fighting, it’s important to separate them immediately. You may need to provide individual cages for each of them, or find homes for some of them if you can’t provide enough space to keep them all together.

3. Aggression

Even if your hamsters aren’t fighting, they may still exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other. This can include chasing, nipping, and biting.

While these behaviors may seem harmless, they can still be a sign that your hamsters are stressed or unhappy with their living situation.

If you notice your hamsters being aggressive towards each other, try providing more hiding places and toys in their cage. This can help them feel more secure and reduce their stress levels.

4. Health issues

When you have four hamsters living together in one cage, it’s important to monitor their health closely. If one hamster gets sick, there’s a good chance that the others will too. This can be especially dangerous if the illness is contagious.

Make sure you clean your hamsters’ cage regularly to prevent the spread of disease. You should also take your hamsters to the vet regularly for check-ups and to address any health concerns that arise.

5. Food and water competition

Finally, when you have four hamsters in one cage, there may be competition for food and water. Some hamsters may be more dominant than others, and may hog the resources.

This can be especially dangerous if one hamster isn’t getting enough to eat or drink.

To avoid this problem, provide multiple feeding and watering stations throughout the cage. This can help ensure that everyone gets their fair share of resources.

Conclusion

If you have four hamsters in one cage, there are several risks to be aware of. These include space limitations, fighting, aggression, health issues, and food and water competition.

To keep your hamsters happy and healthy, it’s important to monitor their behavior closely and make adjustments to their living situation as needed.