What Does It Mean When a Female Hamster Sprays Scent on You?

Like most other mammals, hamsters have specialized glands that produce a strongly scented chemical that serves numerous purposes. They can use it to determine their location and communicate with other animals. While the excretion's smell is offensive to humans, hamsters and other animals rely on scent marking for their basic social and biological functions. While spraying is usually associated with males, who are typically more territorial and aggressive, female rodents are also likely to leave scent markings.

  1. Territory Marking

    • One of the primary functions of scent excretions in mammals is to mark their territory. This is a basic instinct that most animals act on. Hamsters are more likely to spray scent to mark territory if they are kept with or near other hamsters. Female hamsters are more aggressive in marking their territory when other females are present.

    Reproductive Cycle

    • Female hamsters are more likely to spray during certain parts of their reproductive cycle. This type of spraying is most pronounced during the height of their cycle, shortly before and after ovulation. The rising levels of hormones during this period is accompanied by increased scent production in the hamster's glands. Increased scent production during this period not only warns other females to stay away, it also attracts male hamsters to the female.

    Orientation

    • Your hamster may also leave markings on you if you remove her from her cage. When entering an unfamiliar area, many mammals leave scent markings periodically, so they can find their way back. Rodents rely heavily on their sense of smell to orient themselves, so they may continue this behavior until they are comfortable with being removed from the cage.

    Other Factors

    • Fear or stress may also cause your hamster to spray you or the cage. If your hamster is scared, she may release scent from her glands as a threat. Cleaning out the cage forces your hamster to frequently remark her territory. Leaving a portion of the bedding, which is marked with the hamster's familiar odor, helps mitigate the stress of cage cleaning on your pet.