A pregnant hamster needs extra care to have a healthy birth.Make sure your hamster has enough food and that it is comfortable to live in.After everything is in place, let your hamster birth its pups in peace, then wait 2 weeks for them to nurse before enjoying your new pets.
Step 1: Make sure to pay attention to the changes in your hamster's behavior.
You can tell when your hamster is acting differently by monitoring its activity levels and mood.hamsters that are pregnant tend to be more aggressive.It's possible that your hamster is sleeping a lot.This can be a sign of a baby.Contact your vet if you are concerned about any of the changes you see.
Step 2: If your hamster starts eating or drinking more, notice.
It is possible that your hamster is pregnant if it has an increase in appetite or thirst.Look for your hamster to eat its food quicker.You could see it searching for more food.Changes in appetite can be related to a more serious health condition.If you are worried, call your vet.
Step 3: If you don't know if the hamster is pregnant, you should take it to the vet.
If you can't tell whether a hamster is pregnant or not, you should schedule an appointment with your vet.Tell your vet all of the changes you have noticed in your hamster.How many babies you can expect to be born, and what to feed your hamster, are some questions you should ask the vet while you are there.
Step 4: Take the hamster's species into account to figure out how long the period will last.
Talk to your vet if you want to find out how long your hamster's pregnancy will last.For dwarf and Chinese hamsters the gestation period is 18 to 21 days, whereas for a Syrian hamster it is 16 days.Ask your vet if you don't know what species your hamster is.
Step 5: Dry food should be given to your hamster at least 2 times per night.
In the evening, measure out 28 grams of dry hamster food, which is double what an average adult hamster eats.If possible, feed it at night.The food should be removed at the end of the day to prevent it from rotting.If you notice that your hamster eats all of the food you give it, increase the amount slightly.Make sure your hamster doesn't put on too much weight.Since they're high in fat, don't feed it.
Step 6: Two times a week, you should supplement your hamster's diet.
If you want to help the pregnant hamster and its future babies stay strong and healthy, give it pellet food twice a week.Add a few nuts or chop up a hard-boiled egg.Some insects and oats can be fed to your hamster.There is no salt or seasoning on cooked chicken or beef.
Step 7: To strengthen its bones, add calcium to its diet twice a week.
If you want to fortify your hamster's milk and make it stronger, give it calcium-filled food on alternate days.If you want your hamster to drink or eat cheese, place a shallow bowl of milk in the cage.The milk bowl should be removed from the cage each night.Next time you give your hamster calcium, rinse it out and refill it with fresh milk.You can use any type of milk.The sugars in the milk may be hard for hamsters to digest.
Step 8: There are bottles of clean water for drinking.
Attach the bottle with room temperature water to the cage at a height that the hamster can easily reach.You can refill the bottle with fresh water.Make sure the water bottle is always full.Babies can get very sick if they don't have water.You will need more water bottles if you have more than one hamster in the cage.
Step 9: The quiet area will not be disturbed if the hamster's cage is placed in there.
Pick a room that is less used, like a basement, or an area without loud noises.The calmer and healthier your hamster will be, the less noise and commotion you expose it to.If you have other pets, like dogs or cats, you should put the cage on a counter or high table.Pick a spot that has a consistent, mild temperature and that is not in direct sunlight for the most comfortable environment for your hamster.
Step 10: Provide your hamster with a lot of clean material.
The hamster and its babies will spend most of their time in its cage if there are items that the hamster can use to make its nest.Soft, easily tearable things to give it are tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and extra bedding.You should clean around the nest if you have to.Don't disturb it.You can put empty toilet paper rolls in the cage for your hamster to use.It's a bad idea to use paper that has ink on it.
Step 11: Do not handle your pregnant hamster more than you have to.
Caution should be used when touching your hamster or putting your hands in its cage because they are pregnant.If you have to take it to the vet, pick it up or pet it.If your hamster bites your hand, don't be alarmed.This is normal for a pregnant hamster.
Step 12: 2 to 3 days before the due date
The day before your hamster will likely give birth is the best time to clean the cage.If the pups are born early, the cage needs to be cleaned thoroughly.Put the hamster in a safe spot, like a ball or playpen, and then empty out any dirty bedding and clean up any mess that may have been left in the bathroom.Don't disturb the nest!Once you are done cleaning, put a lot of fresh bedding in.Your hamster can use this.You will not be able to clean the cage again for at least 3 weeks since you won't want to interrupt the birth and the pups.
Step 13: A bloated stomach is a sign that your hamster is about to give birth.
One of the last symptoms of pregnancy in hamsters is a large stomach, which is visible right before the birth.If you notice that your hamster's stomach is getting bigger, and you can see the outline of the pups inside, you should know that you have less than a week to prepare.If your hamster has a stomach problem for more than 7 days, you should take it to the vet.
Step 14: The cage should be removed at the time of birth.
If your hamster gives birth, take any adult males out of the cage.After about 6 to 7 weeks, put the babies in a separate cage.Men are more likely to attack or eat babies.
Step 15: Leave your pet alone to give birth.
If you have removed any other hamsters from the cage, give your hamster space to give birth.hamsters like to have their babies in isolation, so don't try to help.Try not to be in the same room as the baby is born.If you don't see your hamster for a while, you're not going to be alarmed.They are likely in their nest nursing their new babies.
Step 16: For the first 2 weeks, don't disturb the cage or touch the babies.
Mother hamsters are very protective of their young, and if you mess around with the cage, you will scare the mom.The adult could eat the babies if you left your scent on them.For the first 14 days, keep away from the hamster family.To give the hamster food, reach into the cage and give it once a day.Mother hamsters tend to be more aggressive immediately following a birth, so be careful when putting your hand in the cage.