How to Breed Panda Hamsters

Panda hamsters are a variety of Syrian hamster noted for their distinctive black and white coloring. Hamsters are generally known to be solitary creatures, although males and females will tolerate each other for mating. Hamsters can mate as early as 6 weeks and produce as many as 20 babies, although it can be detrimental to the health of your female to breed so young.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 to 10 gallon aquariums
  • Bedding
  • Water bottles and food dishes
  • Hamster food
  • High protein foods
  • Clean rags
  • Leather gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase your Panda hamsters from an actual breeder instead of a pet store. Hamster breeders are knowledgeable and take the time to carefully plan out breedings. Pet store employees may lack the knowledge of a breeder and the hamsters are often from accidental litters between related animals, which raises the risk of illness and disease.

    • 2

      Schedule an appointment with a small animal vet to have your male and female examined prior to breeding. The veterinarian will give each hamster a thorough physical to make sure they are free of illnesses that often affect hamsters such as respiratory infections and wet tail.

    • 3

      Fill each of your aquariums with a layer of clean bedding, adding a water bottle and filled food dish to each. One cage will house your female, one is for your male and the remaining one is for breeding. The breeding cage is considered a neutral territory and can help reduce fighting and injuries between territorial Panda hamsters.

    • 4

      Set the cages housing the male and female side by side so the hamsters can become familiar with the sight and smell of each other. Female Panda hamsters come into season once every four days and will be receptive for breeding for a period of 4 to 18 hours. The male will appear more interested in the female during her receptive period and sniff the air and approach her cage.

    • 5

      Place the male and female hamster in the breeding cage and quietly observe them. The female Panda hamster will display her readiness to breed by lifting her tail and allowing the male to mount her. If she appears aggressive and attempts to bite the male, separate them and try the mating again in four days.

    • 6

      Return the male and female to their respective cages and allow your female to rest quietly during pregnancy. The gestation period in hamsters is between 16 and 18 days, so avoid handling her too much as she prepares to give birth. Add high protein foods such as boiled eggs or tofu to her diet to provide her with the extra nutrients necessary to produce healthy babies. A clean rag or two can be placed in the cage as soft bedding for the impending litter.

    • 7

      Watch your female closely as she gives birth, but do not disturb her. Panda hamsters are prone to cannibalism if disturbed during birth or while nursing. Continue feeding your female a high protein diet until the babies are weaned at the age of 3 ½ weeks.