What are the symptoms of pregnancy in hamsters? Hamster Pregnancy Care Guide

Suddenly find that your hamster’s belly has become bigger? Is it because I have gained weight or is I pregnant? Hamsters have a short pregnancy period, with only 16-22 days from conception to delivery. If you are not prepared in advance, it is easy to be in a hurry. Today we will talk about the symptoms of hamster pregnancy and pregnancy care to help you welcome your mouse baby calmly.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in hamsters?

Shape changes

After 7-10 days of pregnancy, the hamster’s belly will become significantly larger and look like a pear shape from the side. In the later stages, you can see an obvious fetal bulge in the abdomen, and sometimes fetal movement can be seen. Pay attention to the difference between eating fat and eating fat: being fat means that the whole body is round, while pregnancy means that only the belly is big.

Behavior changes

Pregnant hamsters will start to hoard large amounts of food and frantically move food into the nest. At the same time, a large amount of nest materials will be collected and paper towels will be torn out to make a nest. Increased nesting behavior is an important signal of pregnancy.

Character changes

After pregnancy, hamsters may become agitated, aggressive, and even bite. This is a maternal instinct to protect her baby. If your originally docile hamster suddenly turns aggressive, consider the possibility of pregnancy.

Other symptoms

The nipples become larger and more obvious, and in the later stages, two rows of protruding nipples can be seen below the abdomen. Increased water intake and increased urination. Rapid weight gain.

How to care for hamsters during pregnancy?

Nutritional supplement

During pregnancy, female rats need more nutrients, especially protein. Add high-protein foods such as boiled egg whites, mealworms, and boiled chicken breasts every day. Increase the amount of staple food appropriately to ensure adequate food. At the same time, make sure you drink enough water and replace it with fresh water every day.

Quiet environment

Try to keep the environment as quiet as possible during pregnancy, do not move the cage frequently, and do not make loud noises. Place the cage in a quiet corner to minimize interruptions. If you have other pets in the home, keep them away from the hamster cage.

Prepare in advance

Prepare sufficient nest materials before the due date, and put some unscented paper towels for the female rat to build the nest. Prepare enough food and water, and try not to change bedding or clean the cage in the first few days after birth. Understand the knowledge of hamster production in advance and be aware of it.

Precautions after giving birth to a hamster

Never touch baby rats

This is the most important point! Never touch the pups with your hands for 14 days after they are born. Once exposed to human odor, the mother rat may abandon the pups or even eat them. If the baby rat accidentally falls out of the nest, gently put it back in with a spoon, without using your hands.

Don’t clean the cage

Do not clean the cage in the first two weeks after the baby rat is born. Just replace the food in the food bowl and the water in the kettle. Keep the environment stable to avoid stress in female rats due to environmental changes.

Enhance nutrition

Lactating female rats need a lot of nutrition and continue to supplement high-protein foods. You can put more food near the nest to make it easier for the female rat to eat.

Baby rats are divided into cages

Puppies can be weaned about 21 days after they are born. After weaning, the males and females are raised separately. Hamsters mature sexually early and not being separated into separate cages will lead to inbreeding. When the rat pups are one month old, they can find a new home for adoption.

Reminder about hamster breeding

Hamsters are extremely fertile and can give birth to 5-15 babies in one litter. It is recommended not to breed hamsters if you are not prepared to care for a litter of puppies. Keeping males and females in separate cages is the most effective way to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Related reading

• Hamster cohabitation
• Hamster lifespan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take for hamsters to get pregnant?

The gestation period of hamsters is about 16-22 days, the gestation period of third-line hamsters is usually 18-21 days, and the gestation period of golden bears is about 16-18 days. The belly increases significantly in late pregnancy.

How many babies does a hamster give birth to?

Hamsters usually give birth to 5-12 children in one litter, and some can give birth to more than 15 children. Puppies need adequate nest materials and nutrition after birth.

Although hamster pregnancy and birth are hard work, watching the baby hamster grow from bare to furry is a very fulfilling thing. If you want to know more about hamster breeding and raising, welcome to follow Hamster Nest!