Hamster cycles and hamster pregnancy
As a family with two girls, the thought of adding a hormonal hamster into the family was a step too far for my husband. Therefore, we decided to get Oscar, our lovely laid-back boy. But, do female hamsters have the same monthly cycles as humans and other mammals, and how easy are hamsters to mate and breed?
This guide covers everything there is to know about female hamsters, including their estrus cycles. We’ll show you how to care for your pregnant hamster and offer advice on how to provide the best aftercare for mum and her hamster pups.
Do hamsters have periods?
Female hamsters do not experience monthly periods like we might, although they do produce eggs that require fertilization. Instead they have an estrus cycle in which they release a whitish discharge.
This is repeated every four days, and the breeding window is only open for 12 hours at night!
But don’t be fooled; hamsters can multiply quickly if given the opportunity. If you don’t want hundreds of hamster babies, we recommend separating male and female hamsters around the age of 5 weeks. Female hamsters can begin reproducing at the age of eight weeks and remain fertile for the rest of their lives.
Bleeding should not occur during a hamster’s cycle. If you notice excessive blood flow during this time, it could be a sign that something is wrong, such as a urinary tract infection, and you should seek veterinary help right away.
How can you tell if your hamster is in heat?
When your hamster is ready to mate, she will let you know. To attract a potential partner, she will emit an overpowering odor and may become agitated when handled, spreading her legs and flattening her back.
We do not recommend breeding hamsters, but if you do decide to do so, you should do so under the supervision of a reputable, ethical breeder or veterinarian. Because most hamsters are solitary, they must be handled with extreme caution and sensitivity.
Keep an eye out for white discharge, which usually appears around day 2 of her cycle. This is the best time for owners who want to breed their hamsters to bring in a male for mating. If, on the other hand, she begins secreting a substance that is drier and no longer of the same fluid consistency, she has most likely passed the breeding stage.
When is the best time for your hamster to have children?
If you still want to breed hamsters, make sure your female hamster is of the appropriate age. It’s risky to let her mate get too close. Most veterinarians advise hamster owners to wait at least ten weeks before mating their females, as this is when they are considered to be in peak health.
Remember that a female is only fertile and capable of becoming pregnant on day 2 of her cycle. Otherwise, mating and egg fertilization will be futile, and your female hamster may harm any potential suitors.
As a result, timing is important, and when you do introduce a male into the mix, do so slowly and under close supervision.
While it is important that no hamsters are harmed during the process, it is not uncommon for the female to be aggressive towards the male. It is her way of ensuring that he is capable of fertilizing her eggs. Hamsters, like any other species, have the genetic make-up to select the best mate for the job and, ultimately, their survival.
Signs that your hamster is pregnant
If a young female hamster has spent time in the same cage as a male hamster, the two are likely to have mated. Instead of assuming your hamster is pregnant, there are some key symptoms to look for.
The female will have a copulatory plug in the vagina for the first few days, which is a combination of sperm and the female’s natural mucus. It is distinguishable by its thick consistency and white color.
If a successful pregnancy is underway, the female’s secretions will change, becoming more consistent, unlike the thin ones during her regular cycle, and will last longer than usual.
Gestation varies by hamster species, with Syrian hamsters having the shortest gestation period at around 16 days and dwarf hamsters remaining pregnant for up to 22 days.
A female hamster’s belly begins to swell around the 10 day mark and becomes quite noticeable a few days before birth.
How to look after a pregnant hamster?
Whether it was an unintentional pregnancy or not, as soon as you discover that your hamster is pregnant, you must begin to provide them with extra care.
Gestating hamsters should have their own cage because they can be quite aggressive. It will also keep the babies safer once they arrive and prevent adult fights.
Make sure your pregnant hamster gets plenty of protein-rich food and that their water is always fresh. Make sure there is plenty of bedding material available, as the female will need it to build a nest for herself and her young.
Remove the hamster wheel and any other cage toys. This is necessary to prevent your hamster from expending all of their energy before giving birth, as well as to ensure the safety of the pups once they are born.
How do hamsters give birth?
Pregnant hamsters become restless and have short bursts of activity as the time to deliver their litter approaches. You may also experience vaginal bleeding.
When the time comes, you’ll know the mother-to-be is in labor because she’ll be very vocal, releasing little squeaks from inside her cage. It is important that you do not intervene at any point during this process.
Although the mother is fully capable of giving birth herself, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes between pups.
Normal litters have 6 to 8 puppies. Puppies are born without fur and with closed eyes and ears; however, they do have their front teeth (incisors) from birth.
Do hamsters kill their babies?
Unfortunately, if you bought a pregnant hamster from a pet store, it is probably too young to be having babies and thus will not be the best mother. As a result, she is more likely to abandon or even cannibalize her children. If you notice your hamster not attending to the nest or caring for her pups as she should, they are unlikely to survive.
Scent plays an important role in a mother hamster’s relationship with her children. As a result, if you enter the cage and touch the babies, your imprint will be left on them. This can perplex the mother, preventing her from recognizing them as her own, and she may even believe they are tainted. In either case, there is a good chance she will reject and even kill them.
The environment is another factor that influences your hamster’s ability to bond with her pups. If your hamster is stressed by her litter’s demands, she may decide that they are better off gone.
Mother hamsters are instinctively compelled to make self-sacrificing decisions that benefit the entire litter. As a result, if there is insufficient food, drink, or warmth to sustain them all, she may choose to reduce their numbers in order to save the stronger pups.
How to look after hamster pups?
You shouldn’t have to look after the puppies yourself; this is mum’s responsibility. However, keep in mind that for the first few days, she will require complete silence and may become aggressive if you enter her space. In order to reduce any stressful situations, you should:
- Keep the environment as calm and peaceful as possible. Place a blanket over the cage for added security.
- Minimize interaction for at least two weeks.
- Spot clean wet areas only and avoid the nest entirely. The cage will not need a full cleanout whilst the pups are young.
- Place food and drink close the cage door so that you do not disturb them when replacing.
- Hamster pups rely on their mums until they are weaned at 3 weeks of age.
- Introduce solid food that is moistened with water when the pups are around 10 days old.
- Separate male and female pups before 5 weeks of age, to stop mating occurring.
Remember that once your female hamster is no longer pregnant, her body begins producing eggs again, allowing her to become pregnant quickly. It is your responsibility to rehome all baby hamsters, and it is important that they go to good homes.
Conclusion
Female hamsters do not have menstrual cycles, but you may notice a whiff coming from her cage every four days. This estrus cycle will indicate that they are ready to have a male child.
Breeding hamsters is a huge responsibility that necessitates a great deal of knowledge and consideration. We recommend keeping male and female hamsters separate to avoid unexpected pregnancies. If you do decide to start breeding hamsters, seek as much advice as possible to ensure you have the time, money, and know-how to care for multiple hamsters at the same time.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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