How to Raise a Litter of Hamsters

Many people choose not to breed their hamsters, but accidents happen. According to Hamsterific.com, baby hamsters (called pups) begin to be sexually active when they are a precocious 28 days old. If the brothers and sisters have not been separated, chances are the females are pregnant. Hamsters are prolific breeders and, depending on the species, can have as many as 21 to a litter. As soon as you know the hamster is pregnant, begin finding homes for the pups.

Things You'll Need

  • Hamster cage
  • Clean bedding
  • Protein-rich food treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the male or any other cage mate if the hamster is a Syrian (golden), teddy bear (long-haired Syrian) or Chinese. These species prefer to live alone and the larger female may attack the male. The other hamster can never go back to living with the mother. But if the hamster is a Russian dwarf, Roborovski or a winter white, the male needs to stay with the female. The male actively helps out with parental duties. But unless the other hamster is the mate of the pregnant hamster, move the cage mate.

    • 2

      Move the pregnant hamster's cage to a quiet area away from lots of noise from stereos, televisions or playing children. The female will need all of the quiet that she can get. Be sure the cage is away from cold drafts, as that could increase the pregnant hamster's chance of catching a respiratory infection. Make sure the pregnant hamster has a den to hide in and feel secure.

    • 3

      Clean the pregnant hamster's cage as soon as you realize she is pregnant. Put down an extra inch more of clean bedding than usual. According to Hamsterific.com, hamsters begin to show signs of pregnancy when they are about 10 days into gestation. To avoid the mother hamster cannibalizing the pups, she must be left alone with her litter until the pups are at least 10 days old. The cage cannot be cleaned during this time because it may make the mother feel threatened. When she feels threatened, she will eat the pups.

    • 4

      Feed the mother small protein treats once a day. Make sure the mother is awake so you do not frighten her before you feed her. According to Syrian and Russian dwarf hamster breeder Doran Jones, pregnant and nursing hamsters need 60 percent more protein than usual. For dwarf hamsters, a mealworm, thumb-print sized piece of cheese or hard-boiled egg will do. Syrian and teddy bear hamsters will eat small morsels of cooked meat and eggs.

    • 5

      Check on the hamster a few times a day. Hamsters usually give birth without difficulty, but if the hamster seems sick (such as sitting in a hunched position, passing fluid and blood but not pups), contact a veterinarian.

    • 6

      Clean the cage at the appropriate time and let the pups and mother sniff your hands. Gently handle the pups for a few minutes a day. The mother will wean then when they are three weeks old. They are then ready to go to their new homes.