Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:05 pm
When we keep hamsters, we often face all kinds of things related to our pets, for example, what food to give them, what to do when they are sick, and many other situations.
Indeed looking at male hamsters, you wonder why their testicles are big?
Why do hamster balls get bigger over time?
Although the testicles of hamsters are getting bigger, you don’t need to worry; it’s completely normal, especially if your hamster is of the Syrian breed. The testicles make up a quarter of their body size, making them the largest testicles of any other rodent.
Sometimes their balls swell and become even more significant; in such situations, you must take your pet to the vet.
In today’s article, we will find out why their testicles are significant and whether it is bad for their health or if we should not worry.
Why do hamster balls get bigger?
Hamsters’ testicles grow quite naturally until they are 3 months old.
After those three months, male hamsters reach reproductive maturity.
When you bought a hamster, you must have noticed that his testicles are large, and you have wondered if everything is fine with your hamster or if he has some disease or cancer.
So here are some reasons why hamster testicles grow bigger.
The testicles grow with the hamster
As our hamster grows, so do its balls.
His balls grow in the first three months, and as we said, he has reached reproductive maturity.
But this does not mean the balls stop growing; they continue to grow until the hamsters become adults.
Hamster balls grow when it’s mating time
Hamsters are ready for breeding in 3 months; although it seems like a short time to us, it is still enough time for them.
When the balls of the hamsters become more significant and visible much more than before, it is time to mate with the female hamsters.
With this, they signal female hamsters that they are ready to mate.
Hamsters have a very high reproductive rate.
Changing seasons affect the size of their balls
It is only natural that hamster balls change in size as the seasons change.
In the winter period, the balls of adult hamsters are not seen as much because the skin covers them.
The skin shrinks to keep hamsters warmer, and their testicles are much less visible.
When spring comes, the reverse process happens. The skin relaxes, which regulates the temperature of their bodies, and the balls look much bigger, which is entirely normal.
When hamster testicle size means a health problem
As we said, the large size of the testicles of hamsters is a normal phenomenon. Still, sometimes it can also mean specific problems.
So here’s what to look out for when hamster testicle size can mean specific side effects.
When the testicles grow even after 3 months
As we said at the beginning, their balls grow for 3 months, when hamsters become reproductively mature, and growth should end at that point.
If their balls continue to grow even after three months, something is wrong with your pet, more precisely with his health.
If you notice this phenomenon in your hamster, you should take it to the vet to examine it and see the problem.
Swelling of the testicles
Sometimes there is swelling of the testicles in hamsters, primarily due to some disease or if they have been injured.
They already have large testicles compared to their body, but the testicles may also swell further.
The size of their balls makes it challenging to spot swelling.
A temperature test should be done to find out if their balls are swollen. A temperature test is a way to find out if the testicles are expanding and contracting naturally.
What should you do?
First, put your hamster in a cool room for about an hour and look at the size of his testicles. Then put the hamster on high heat and check the size of the balls after half an hour.
If the balls are not expanding, there is a problem and his testicles are swollen.
In such situations, you just can’t do anything; you should take the hamster to the vet, preferably as soon as you can, as any delay can be bad for their health.
Hamsters get testicular tumors
Hamsters are very prone to getting tumors, and since they have a high reproductive rate, the chances of a tumor are even greater.
To notice possible tumors in hamsters, it is enough to look at their balls, more precisely, pay attention to their shape. If you notice a lump on their balls, it is a sign of a tumor.
Fortunately, tumors in hamsters are 96% benign, which are not dangerous; only malignant tumors are risky for their life.
In the majority of such benign tumors, hamsters do not have any problems and continue with an everyday life.
How to care for the health of hamster balls?
There are a few things to keep an eye on for hamster ball health that must be in reasonable condition at all times.
In hamsters with healthy testes
Since hamsters naturally have large testicles, it is very important what their cage will be.
They should have a cage that does not have sharp edges, which will reduce the chances of injuries and problems with their balls.
The bedding should be the best it can be, so as not to injure the hamsters’ lower part, ie their balls.
The wheel where hamsters play should always be appropriate for the size of the hamster.
Putting a wheel on him that is too small can hurt his balls when they run inside.
In hamsters with testicular problems
If your hamster has any problems with his testicles you should take him to the vet immediately.
Any kind of injury, swelling or the appearance of a tumor in the balls is a sign that the hamster has a problem for which an appropriate solution should be found.
Problems with hamsters should not be ignored, and we must solve them immediately; it all depends on us as owners, and we should pay attention to their health.
Are testicles visible in all breeds of hamsters?
The visibility of balls in hamsters is not the same for all breeds.
Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, and their balls are prominent.
While smaller breeds like dwarf hamsters have less hanging balls, this is entirely normal and natural.
Can a hamster be castrated?
Yes, castration of hamsters can be done, but it is not recommended because anesthesia should be used.
Since hamsters are small animals, they are very difficult to tolerate anesthesia.
Minor lapses in anesthesia can be fatal to the hamster’s life.
Castration of hamsters is done in exceptional situations when the condition is too bad and the risk of death is higher than castration.
Is it dangerous when a hamster has large balls without problems in movement?
If your hamster has visibly large balls, and moves entirely normally, there is no need to worry.
As long as he’s moving and playing like he always does, that means all is well with the balls despite their size.
Only when he has a problem with the movement is a sign that something is wrong with him and he should be taken to the vet.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Nose Bleeding? Complete Guide
Conclusion
Hamster testicles are naturally large and this is completely normal.
They grow in the first months of their life, more precisely in 3 months they reach their size and then they are reproductively mature.
Testicles in hamsters can sometimes get sick; that is, they can have swellings and tumors.
Any unwanted change in their balls should be taken seriously, and the hamster should be taken to the vet.
Read more: Hairless Hamsters – What You Need to Know
