How to Breed Chinese Dwarf Hamsters

Unlike other breeds of dwarf hamsters, Chinese dwarfs hate each other's company. They need constant supervision or they will attack each other. Chinese dwarf hamsters have special needs that other dwarf hamsters don't. Unless you have experience handling and caring for at least one Chinese hamster, do not try to breed them. Hamster babies are usually called "pups."

Things You'll Need

  • 3 hamster homes
  • UVB lighting (optional, but may be necessary)
  • Humidifier (optional, but may be necessary)
  • Clear plastic hamster toy tube
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a hamster baby male and baby female Chinese dwarf hamster so they can get to know each other. If you start with adults, you may have a problem with the female killing and eating the male. If they are both 3 or 4 months old, this is ideal. It is more important that they are healthy, vigorous pups rather than just the only ones available.

    • 2

      Keep records of your breeding stock, noting their age, color, name, any peculiar characterisitics and health concerns. You can use 3 x 5-inch cards, a notebook or keep a computer file.

    • 3

      Keep a close eye on the pair, as fights often occur. However, some pairs get along without any problem. Try to keep the room temerpature to around 72 to 74 degrees Farenheight. The room needs to have a 50 percent humidity.

    • 4

      Get UVB lighting for the hamsters if the female hasn't become pregnant within a month. Make sure the hamsters have shade. Look for the same lighting as for reptiles. Chinese hamster females need 12 hours of daylight in order to help them go into heat. Then, they need precisely 12 hours of darkness without any light at all. Once they do, they go into heat every 4 days until they get pregnant.

    • 5

      Clean the birthing cage a few days before the pups are due. You won't be able to clean the cage again until the pups are a couple of weeks old.

    • 6

      Disturb the mom-to-be as little as possible. If she keeps attacking the male, remove him.

    • 7

      Keep quiet and calm around the pups when they are born. Too much noise or strangers will make the female hamster eat her own babies.

    • 8

      Wean the babies from the mother hamster when they are three weeks old. Get the babies' cages set up and then quickly move them. Don't linger.

    • 9

      Seperate the male pups from the females, because they can breed even at this young age. Place them each in a clear plastic hamster tube and look under them to see their sex. House them seperately or send them off to their new homes.

    • 10

      Keep notes of the adventure in your breeding records. Refer to these records when deciding on new breeding stock or whether you want to breed the female again.