What to feed your pregnant hamster
- Mealworm
- Egg or tofu
- Cooked chicken (no bones)
- Fruit and veggies that are safe for hamsters (see our list of problem foods for hamsters here ).
What should I Feed my Baby hamster?
For Pregnant or baby hamsters, you should get hamster food that contains 18-40% protein and 7-9% fat. The reason pregnant mothers and babies need more protein is that they need all the protein to grow. It’s during the first month of a baby hamster’s life that does most of it’s growing; additional protein will help.
How to take care of a pregnant hamster?
Supplement your hamster’s diet with protein 2 times a week. To help both the pregnant hamster and its future babies stay strong and healthy, give it pieces of protein along with its pellet food twice a week. For example, chop up a hard-boiled egg or add a handful of nuts.
Can hamsters eat sunflower seeds when pregnant?
Pregnant hamsters need the extra folic acid and vitamins as well as the fats and proteins that sunflower seeds provide, which is why mother hamsters can eat more. Protein needs for a hamster increase 60 percent during pregnancy.
Do hamsters need more protein during pregnancy?
The reason pregnant mothers and babies need more protein is because they need all the protein to grow. It’s during the first month of a a baby hamster’s life that is does most of it’s growing; additional protein will help. In addition to the protein and fats, they need a diet high in carbohydrates.
How much does a pregnant hamster eat?
If your hamster is pregnant, give it at least 2 tbsp of dry food every night. Remove any uneaten food in the morning, and increase the amount slightly if you notice your hamster is eating all the food each night.
What should I do if my hamster is pregnant?
If you have just noticed your hamster is pregnant, do a thorough cleaning to prepare for the new arrivals. Once the babies have arrived don't worry about cleaning the cage for a while. Leave mother and babies alone for at least 7 days, especially if the mother has never given birth before.
Can pregnant hamster drink milk?
Calcium. Calcium is known to help preserve bone strength in both expectant mothers and their developing babies. Giving a pregnant hamster some milk or cheese can aid in the skeletal development of the babies and also in her lactation once they are born.
How do you prepare a pregnant hamster?
Pre-birth: Preparing the cageHideout. Replace your hamster's regular hideout with a simple, visible one, so that you can spot the pups if they get hidden by the mother. ... Food. Provide two weeks worth of food in the cage. ... Water. ... Remove all potentially hazardous items:
Can I hold my pregnant hamster?
The Pups are Born It is critical that you don't handle the cage, the mother, and the babies at this point and for the next two weeks. When the mother smells your scent in the cage and on the babies, she will feel threatened and eat her pups. This is her way of coping with an intruder.
How do you know when a hamster is going to give birth?
You may notice a slight increase in girth or a larger abdomen in a pregnant female a few days before she gives birth. As pregnant hamsters approach the time to deliver the litter, they may become restless and active and may have vaginal bleeding. When they are ready to give birth, provide them with nesting material.
Do hamsters like scrambled egg?
Yes! Eggs are an excellent source of protein, as well as vitamin A, B vitamins, and iron. Hamsters can have eggs cooked in a variety of ways, including scrambled, baked, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or oil free pan-fried eggs. It is extremely important to not feed your hamster raw egg whites.
How long does a hamster stay pregnant?
Roborovski dwarf hamster: 20 – 22 daysHamsters / Gestation periodThe Roborovski hamster, also known as the desert hamster, Robo dwarf hamster, or simply dwarf hamster, is the smallest of three species of hamster in the genus Phodopus. It lives in the deserts of Central Asia, averaging under 2 centimetres at birth and 4.5–5 centimetres and 20–25 grams during adulthood. Wikipedia
How many days until you can touch baby hamsters?
14 days of age is “the ideal time to begin to familiarize your young hamster with being handled,” says Kohles. This should be a thoughtful process where you can help desensitize them to handling to minimize the stress of the baby hamsters. Don't just go right in and pick up the hamster right away, he says.
Should a pregnant hamster have a wheel?
Cage Space The cage needs to be large enough for you to offer her several spots to choose from for making her nest. Pregnant hamsters still like and need plenty of exercise. She will need room to roam around in and a wheel for running.
Do hamsters give birth at night?
Dwarf hamsters usually give birth at night. The birthing process can take several hours, depending on the size of the litter.
How do I stop my mother hamster from eating her babies?
How to Prevent this BehaviorDon't handle the babies until the mother finishes weaning. ... Make sure mom is getting well-balanced nutrition. ... Monitor her behavior very closely. ... Make sure the cage is clean and habitable. ... Separate the mother from all other hamsters. ... Don't let small children handle mom and babies early on.More items...•
How to keep a hamster healthy?
While your hamster is pregnant, there are some simple ways to keep her healthy and strong, all the way through to giving birth: Feed her a nutritious diet. Keep her separated from other hamsters. Give her suitable nesting materials such as shredded paper. Ensure she has adequate clean water every day.
How old do hamsters get pregnant?
Female hamsters usually reach sexual maturity between 4 and 6 weeks old. From then on, they come into heat every four days!
How do you know if a hamster is giving birth?
Hamsters usually give birth during the day, and you’ll be able to tell that it’s happened from the sounds of hungry babies jostling for access to mom. Don’t handle the pups for two to three weeks after the birth. Attempting to touch them or pick them up too early can result in mom rejecting or even killing them.
How many babies do hamsters have?
A pregnant hamster usually gives birth to a litter of 6 to 12 pups about two to three weeks after mating. The average litter size and gestation period of pregnant hamsters varies according to their breed, and some environmental factors. Pregnant hamsters need special care before, during, and after the birth, to protect their health and ...
How long does it take for a hamster to conceive?
Keep mom away from males as well – hamsters can conceive again within a day of giving birth.
Why are hamsters more likely to survive in cold weather?
This is triggered by the days getting shorter, and improves her babies’ chances of survival – juvenile male hamsters are more likely to survive in cold weather, because they are slightly larger . In captivity, the number of pups a hamster has is also linked to how many other hamsters they share a habitat with.
Why do hamsters die?
Some babies may die during birth, or shortly after. Female hamsters can also die as a result of a difficult birth. Planned hamster breeding is best embarked upon with healthy hamsters from responsible breeders, and under the mentorship of a more experienced hamster breeder.
What is the best way to care for a hamster?
Therefore, beyond preparing her cage, it is also essential to provide her with a calm and positive environment, where she can carry out a safe and peaceful gestation.
What can I give my pregnant female?
You can also offer her flour worms or other small insects, which are sold in some veterinary and pet stores. These recommended fruits and vegetables will also help strengthen the immune system of your pregnant female and provide her with a large amount of vitamins, fibers and minerals .
How many babies does a hamster have?
The number of offspring per gestation will also depend on the type of hamster you have: while a Russian hamster usually gives birth to 4 to 8 offspring, a golden hamster can give birth to 20 offspring. Unfortunately you cannot notice abdominal dilation in a hamster until her last 5 days of gestation, this means in order to know if your hamster is ...
Why are pregnant hamsters so aggressive?
As we have already mentioned, pregnant hamsters tend to become more aggressive because they feel vulnerable. They will feel the need to defend their territory to ensure that their offspring are born in a safe environment.
What do hamsters need to make their nest?
In this cage, your hamster have fresh water and food at her disposal. She will also need materials to make her nest, such as straw, wood and twigs. During her gestation period, it will be essential to keep your hamster’s cage clean, removing food and excrement remains daily.
How long does a hamster's pregnancy last?
Usually, they are very short pregnancies that can last between 15 and 25 days.
How long does it take for a hamster to dilate?
Unfortunately you cannot notice abdominal dilation in a hamster until her last 5 days of gestation, this means in order to know if your hamster is pregnant, it is important to note other signs, such as;
How to Tell if a Hamster is Pregnant?
You need to determine the kind of hamster you have to estimate their gestation period. Syrian hamsters, for example, have a gestation period of 16 days.
How Often Can Hamsters Get Pregnant?
Hamsters attain sexual maturity at 4 or 5 weeks old, but it is recommended to breed the females after they reach three or four months old.
How to Care for a Pregnant Female Hamster?
The most important thing you can do for a female hamster is to provide high-quality meals. Increase the quantities of pellets and seeds, but not too much as to result in obesity. Do not give her foods with too much fat like sunflower seeds.
What to do When Your Hamster Has Babies?
You can look out for a distended stomach to know that your hamster is ready to give birth. Hamsters like to give birth in isolation, and she will curl herself up in a corner during labor.
Can You Keep Two Pregnant Hamsters Together?
It is advisable to keep a pregnant hamster alone since they are irritable and aggressive before and after birth.
Conclusion
You could end up with a pregnant hamster if males and females were kept together in the pet store. Hamsters have a short gestation period, and their stomach only swells when they are ready to give birth.
What to feed a hamster?
Feed them boiled egg, bits of cooked unseasoned chicken or beef, mealworms (usually available at high-end pet stores) and fruits or vegetables rich in vitamins A (natural A is good) and E. Broccoli, sweet apple (as opposed to sour green apple), cantaloupe, and peas are all good fruit and vegetable choices for your hamster.
How to care for a baby hamster?
Baby hamsters are usually well cared for by their mothers, but you can offer a few foods to help the hamster pups along. Baby hamsters will likely benefit from wheat germ cereal early in their development, so sprinkle a little close to the nest. Also small seeds such as millet are good for hamster pups, even those younger than 10 days old. Place a whole sprig of millet in the cage as an extra treat for the mother. This gives her something interesting to do, because she will need to gather the seeds off the stem.
How many pups can a hamster have in a litter?
Nursing 14 to 28 pups in a litter can sap a mother hamster’s reserves; she’ll be able to use the fat in the seeds to keep from losing weight. Always provide plenty of hamster food for a nursing mother hamster. She’ll need the food both physically and emotionally.
How long do hamsters nurse after birth?
Hamster babies continue to nurse for almost three weeks after birth.
How to nurse a hamster?
Saving a motherless hamster pup involves more than just feeding it, but our focus is nutrition. Feed a pup evaporated milk mixed in a 50/50 solution with water. Warm the solution to 90 degrees Fahrenheit before feeding it to the baby hamster.
When do hamsters start eating?
Hamster pups start using their teeth at about 5 days old on smaller seeds. If you provide wheat germ by sprinkling it close to the nest, small hamster pups will lick at it. During the third week you should see hamster pups eating from the bowl of solid foods.
Do hamsters eat sunflower seeds?
Pregnant hamsters need the extra folic acid and vitamins as well as the fats and proteins that sunflower seeds provide, which is why mother hamsters can eat more. Protein needs for a hamster increase 60 percent during pregnancy.
What vegetables can pregnant hamsters eat?
Though you must provide them in very small amounts (or risk gastrointestinal problems), pregnant hamsters can benefits from the additional vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, apples, grapes, bananas, and strawberries. ...
How long does it take for a hamster to get pregnant?
The average length of a pregnancy for a hamster is 15-21 days, so your hamster would need to have been housed with a male hamster within roughly the last three weeks in order to be pregnant. If she hasn’t had company in more than four weeks, then she cannot be pregnant.
How long does a hamster's belly last?
If the swollen belly lasts longer than 7-10 days without your hamster giving birth (or if she doesn’t exhibit any of the other common behavioral traits for a pregnant hamster in this time), then take her to the vet anyway since she may be presenting symptoms of an illness rather than pregnancy.
How old do hamsters have to be to breed?
3. Note the age of the hamster. Hamsters can start breeding from as young as 6-7 weeks of age. The only way to rule out pregnancy due to sexual immaturity of the hamster is if she is even younger than six weeks.
Why shouldn't you touch a hamster while pregnant?
Note that if you think your hamster is pregnant due to a swollen belly, then she’s already to a part of the pregnancy where you should refrain from touching her due to the stress handling causes in the late stages of pregnancy.
How long should a hamster be left alone?
3. Leave the mother alone starting around day thirteen after mating. Female hamsters like to be left completely alone at least a couple of days before giving birth . This means that by day thirteen after mating, you should not even interfere with her cage or bedding.
When to store hamsters from litter?
This also means you need to be careful storing hamsters from a litter together once they approach six weeks old because they will start mating together. This includes any male hamsters with the mother. Rule out illness. A swollen belly alone isn’t nearly enough to identify a pregnant hamster.
