How to Tell if Dwarf Hamsters are in Heat

Dwarf hamsters are popular pets today. They are small and relatively easy to keep up with. Normal hamster care is required, such as feeding, watering and changing the bedding once a week or every other week. Dwarf hamsters are smaller than regular hamsters and are more docile than Chinese or Syrian hamsters. Hamsters, in general, will be in heat every four days, so on the fourth day of the cycle, females will be ready to mate with the males.

Things You'll Need

• Male dwarf hamster
• Female dwarf hamster

Instructions

1. House both sexes of hamster in the same cage. If the female begins to act hostile toward the male, remove him from the cage.

2. Mating will occur when the female is on the fourth day of being in heat, and she will readily accept the male for mating.

3. Notice any bleeding that occurs in the female. If there is a small amount of blood around her rear, this is an indication that she has just had her first mating.

4. Take the male out of the cage two to three days before the female gives birth. She will be in heat right after giving birth, and in order to help preserve your female hamster, it is best to wait a week or so before trying to get the female pregnant again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you house two female dwarf hamsters together it is not necessary to remove the non-pregnant hamster from the cage because she will help the pregnant one with her babies. Other types of hamsters should not be caged together because of their aggression.

References

• Hamster Club