How to Mate Hamsters

Hamsters are popular pets among people of all ages, due to their small size and ease of care. Some owners decide to breed their hamsters, either for profit or because they would like to ensure that their hamsters' legacy carries on. As with humans, timing is everything when mating hamsters and there is a distinct list of rules to follow when attempting to breed these members of the rodent family.

Things You'll Need

  • Thick gardening gloves
  • Glass aquarium/cardboard box
  • Thick piece of cardboard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calculate the age of your female hamster, if you don't know her exact birth date. Breeding is not recommended for females younger than four months of age, because they are still considered infants themselves at that age. However, attempting to breed a much older hamster may result in complications with both the female and her litter. A number of physical characteristics can help determine the age. For example, younger hamsters have thick, shiny coats, are extremely active and have plump bodies.

    • 2

      Determine whether or not your female hamster is in heat. According to Ask-The-Vet.com, females that are in season or ready to mate, emit a musky odor and will freeze in place if you pet her hind quarter area. Hamsters typically come into heat every four days.

    • 3

      Don some sort of heavy duty gloves, such as those designed for gardening. Once you have something protective on your hands, remove both the female and the male from their respective cages and place them together in a neutral location, either a separate cage or glass aquarium -- or a large box full of hamster bedding materials.

    • 4

      Observe the behavior of the hamsters, while they are together. If your timing is spot on, they should begin mating right away, after which you can remove the male. If, however, the female is not in season, fighting may ensure. If this occurs, separate the hamsters as quickly as possible, which can be done by placing a piece of cardboard between them, as you prepare to remove one of them from the enclosure. The gloves will protect you from being bitten.

    • 5

      Look for signs of pregnancy in your female hamster, if you think the mating was successful. These can include an increase in appetite and weight and nesting behavior. Babies will be born within two to three weeks after mating takes place.