How to Tell if Hamsters Are Mating

Because hamsters can produce up to 18 babies per litter, it's understandable that an owner of a male hamster and a female hamster would want foreknowledge of what might be coming. Determining if your hamsters are mating is a matter of either catching them in the act of coitus, or observing that the female is pregnant. If so, preparations can be made to give her babies to good homes, or to buy more cages and supplies to build your own personal hamster kingdom.

  1. Are They Old Enough?

    • You can tell if your hamsters are mating simply by determining whether they are old enough. Syrian hamsters start breeding as young as 2 months, and dwarf hamsters begin breeding as young as 4 to 6 weeks. Although a younger female will mate with an older male, an older female will not breed with a younger male .

    How to Tell They're Not Mating

    • Hamsters are solitary animals, so you're probably used to seeing your male and female hamsters at opposite ends of the cage. However, observing them in close proximity does not necessarily mean babies are on the way. It's possible your male hamster is pursuing the female hamster to no avail. If your female hamster is burrowing under the male's chest, she is trying to flip him over and indicate that she is in no mood for love. If this happens, it's a good idea to separate them into different areas for a while.

    How to Tell If They Are Mating

    • If the male and female are sniffing each other, that is a major sign that the two are thinking about mating. When preparing to mate, the female will stiffen her body by keeping her ears and tail erect, her hind legs braced behind her. The male will begin mating by mounting her, placing his front paws on her back.

    Preparing for the Hamster Army

    • If you discover your hamsters have indeed mated and your female hamster is pregnant, you have about three weeks to prepare for the four to 18 babies that will soon arrive. Either find a new home for the hamsters, or set up more cages and supply more food.

      It's important to note that Syrian hamsters need to be separated after mating to prevent one or both of them from killing the babies. Dwarf hamsters are more peaceful after mating; the male will even help raise the litter.