[header] How to care for newborn hamsters [title] Assess the parents' risk factors. [step] Hamsters reach sexual maturity as young as 6 weeks old, though it is not advisable to let them mate at this age. A female should be at least 8-10 weeks old before mating, and males 10-12 weeks old.
[header] How to care for newborn hamsters [title] Assess the parents' risk factors. [step] Hamsters reach sexual maturity as young as 6 weeks old, though it is not advisable to let them mate at this age. A female should be at least 8-10 weeks old before mating, and males 10-12 weeks old.
If they are older, reduce the amount of activity and expectations (sex to avoid unwanted pregnancy) during this age. These factors can range from poor appearance to poor behavior. [substeps] The mother will have the easier time mating if she has more feces or is nursing, especially at this age. [title] Consider the mother's inclination to mate. Once a hamster reaches 12 months of age, it should no longer be bred, as health risks skyrocket. [substeps] The average hamster lifespan is 18-24 months. However, this is less important for everyone who plans to breed a single hamster. [title] Pick a cage that fits your hamsters' species.