Provide two weeks worth of food in the cage. Before the birth, nourish the mother with foods that are high in protein (e.g. lab blocks, boiled eggs, cooked unseasoned chicken breasts) and also high in moisture (e.g. cucumber, cabbage) Water Place two water bottles in the cage to ensure your hamster has enough water for 2 weeks.
What do you feed a pregnant female hamster?
You should feed your female hamster with a high-quality hamster diet that has a lot of protein all throughout its pregnancy and until the babies are weaned. You can feed your female hamster with some hardboiled eggs, cooked chicken, cheese, and wheat germ.
What do Syrian hamsters eat?
Syrian hamster’s diet consists of nuts, seeds, and grains, and it is supplemented with some fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli. Because they are omnivores, you can give them some cooked chicken, hardboiled eggs, or insects. Make sure that the supplemental food doesn’t make more than 10% of their diet.
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.
How do you take care of a Syrian hamster baby?
Keep the cage dry! A wet cage can be deadly to baby hamsters. This is the only reason to clean the cage once the babies are born until they have opened their eyes. (And since Hamstes101 is intended for beginners, it's worth mentioning that Syrian hamsters are solitary animals.
What do I do if my Syrian 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.
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:
How long are Syrian hamsters pregnant for?
15 – 18 daysGolden hamster / Gestation period(Syrian hamster pregnancies tend to last 16 to 17 days.) You may notice a slight increase in girth or a larger abdomen in a pregnant female a few days before she gives birth.
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.
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.
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.
How do I know when my 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.
How do you know if a hamster is in labor?
How to know when your hamster is in labor. If you notice your pregnant hamster acting restless and frantic, there is a good chance she has gone into labor. She will alternate between eating, grooming, and nest building almost non-stop. Another sign she is in labor is if she hisses at you if you reach in the cage.
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.
What should I give my pregnant hamster?
What Do Pregnant Or Mother Hamsters Eat? Mother hamsters need extra protein while they are pregnant or nursing. 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.
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.
What to feed a hamster that just gave birth?
Provide lots of extra foods for mom. Include treats that will provide her with added nutrition necessary for giving birth and nursing. These include carrots, cheese, greens, nuts and hard-boiled eggs.
Should I separate father hamster from babies?
If the dwarf father remained in the cage, mating will likely occur soon after birth—as little as three to four days, so a new litter of hamsters could appear when the first litter is about 3 weeks old. To avoid unintended pregnancies, it is suggested to remove the father hamster from the cage.
How do you know if a hamster is in labor?
How to know when your hamster is in labor. If you notice your pregnant hamster acting restless and frantic, there is a good chance she has gone into labor. She will alternate between eating, grooming, and nest building almost non-stop. Another sign she is in labor is if she hisses at you if you reach in the cage.
Why do hamster eat their babies?
Fear: It is normal for mothers of many species to want to protect their young, and hamsters are no exception. But when hamsters are scared or fearful, this emotion can result in killing and eating their own young.
What does pregnant hamster eat?
What Do Pregnant Or Mother Hamsters Eat? Mother hamsters need extra protein while they are pregnant or nursing. 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.
How many days pregnant is a hamster?
By the time you suspect your hamster is pregnant she is probably 10 or more days into pregnancy, so expect baby hamsters soon! Here are tips for dealing with your hamster during this fun and exciting time: Refrain from handling your hamster as this could cause her extra stress.
How long does it take for a hamster to get pregnant?
In many cases, you will not realize your hamster is pregnant until she is close to 10 days into her 16-day gestational period. Typically, these are the signs that tell you your Syrian hamster may be pregnant: Her nipples will begin to swell and pucker out.
How do you know if a hamster is in labor?
How to know when your hamster is in labor. If you notice your pregnant hamster acting restless and frantic, there is a good chance she has gone into labor. She will alternate between eating, grooming, and nest building almost non-stop. Another sign she is in labor is if she hisses at you if you reach in the cage.
Why do hamsters clean their cages?
This prevents the mama hamster from overdoing it before giving birth and keeps the pups safe while they get strong and healthy. Keep the cage dry! A wet cage can be deadly to baby hamsters. This is the only reason to clean the cage once the babies are born until they have opened their eyes.
How long does a hamster's pregnancy last?
That’s why we’ve prepared this thorough guide for you, based on experience – as well as intensive research. In a nutshell: Pregnancy lasts for 16-17 days in Syrian hamsters. The female gives birth to 5-15 babies, known as hamster pups.
When do hamsters open their eyes?
At about 14-15 days of age , your hamster pups will finally open their eyes and take their first look around.
How to keep hamsters from smelling?
Be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible while around your hamster’s cage. Wear powder-free rubber gloves to keep your scent off the food and other items in the cage. Remove all toys and non-essential items from the cage, this includes the exercise wheels, ramps, and sand baths.
What to feed hamsters?
For example, chop up a hard-boiled egg or add a handful of nuts. You can also feed your hamster whole grains, like oats or barley, or some insects, like mealworms. If you give it bits of cooked chicken or beef, be sure there is no salt or seasoning on it. ...
How to help 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.
How to keep hamsters from drinking water?
Provide 1 to 2 bottles of clean water for drinking. Fill the bottle with room temperature water and clip it to the cage at a height that the hamster can easily reach. Refill the bottle with fresh water every day. Monitor the water bottle to make sure it never is completely empty.
How to tell if hamster is pregnant?
1. Look for a swollen stomach as a sign your hamster is about to give birth. Know that unlike humans, a large, distended stomach is actually one of the last symptoms of pregnancy in hamsters and becomes visible right before the birth.
How to make hamsters stronger?
On alternate days from when you give your hamster protein, supplement its pellets with calcium-filled food to make your hamster stronger and fortify the milk it will give its pups. For example, place a shallow bowl of milk in the cage for your hamster to drink or feed it small pieces of cheese.
What to give a hamster to keep it clean?
If you have to clean the cage during the pregnancy, clean around the nest. Do not disturb it. You can also put empty toilet paper rolls or pieces of cardboard in the cage for your hamster to use.
How long does a hamster's pregnancy last?
For example, the gestation period for a Syrian hamster is 16 days whereas it’s 18 to 21 days for dwarf and Chinese hamsters. If you aren’t sure what species your hamster is, ask your vet.
How to tell if a hamster is pregnant?
Signs of possible hamster pregnancy: 1 She had the opportunity to be in the same space as male hamsters after she reached the age of maturity (hamsters are able to conceive three to four weeks after birth. The younger the hamster, the riskier the pregnancy). 2 She has an obvious swollen belly. Some would describe a pregnant hamster’s body shape as a pear. 3 She has been building a nest and hoarding food more than usual. 4 She will have visible nipples.
What to do if hamster is in labor?
Prepare an emergency vet contact to call immediately if your hamster shows any indication of distress during labour. However, if labour is progressing well, simple step back and observe from a distance. It is very important to give the mother as much privacy and space as possible during this time. Only interact to intervene in a critical situation.
How long does it take for a hamster to conceive?
Signs of possible hamster pregnancy: She had the opportunity to be in the same space as male hamsters after she reached the age of maturity (hamsters are able to conceive three to four weeks after birth. The younger the hamster, the riskier the pregnancy). She has an obvious swollen belly.
When to separate hamsters?
Refer to our hamster guide here to properly set up the cages. Syrians must be separated by the 8th week.
When can Syrians be separated?
Syrians must be separated by the 8th week. It is possible for same-sex Winter Whites and Roborovskis from the same litter to live together, but fights often break out nonetheless, which you must intervene in each time.
Do pregnant hamsters eat their own pups?
Pregnant hamsters are more likely to be highly guarded and aggressiv e. The more unsafe she feels, the greater the likelihood of her eating her own pups, so ensure that the mother’s living conditions pre- and post-birth living make her feel safe and comfortable.
Do pawrents eat their pups?
It is only natural that every pawrent wishes for all the pups to survive their infancy. Unfortunately, reality is harsher than any ideal, and it is fairly common for pups to get eaten by their mothers.
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.
How Often Should I Feed My Syrian Hamster?
Ideally, you should feed your hamster every day. This applies to all hamster breeds, not just Syrian hamsters. All hamsters require fresh food and water every day.
What Can Syrian Hamsters Eat?
There are many foods that hamsters can eat, and many foods that hamsters shouldn’t eat. In this section, we’ll be covering everything you should feed your hamster, and we’ll be covering the foods you should avoid in the next section.
What Are Syrian Hamsters Allergic To?
There are many foods that you should never feed your hamster, but it’s also possible that your hamster, as an individual, has developed an allergy to something. Here’s a list of things you shouldn’t feed your hamster.
How Long Can Syrian Hamsters Go Without Food?
This applies to all hamsters: hamsters can’t go for longer than three to four days without food and/or water. It depends on when did they have their last meal, what did they eat, how much did they eat, and how active they have been for the past few days.
How many babies does a Syrian hamster have?
On average, a Syrian hamster will have 4 to 12 babies. Sometimes it can happen that your hamster has up to 20 babies. This depends on the age of your hamster. If you’re new to breeding and you’ve accidentally bred your Syrian hamster with some other breed, the babies could have birth defects.
What is a Syrian hamster?
Syrian hamsters are hamsters that originated from dry parts of Syria and Turkey. They are also known as golden hamsters. They are the most common hamsters people keep as pets because they are easy to tame and take care of and fun to play with. Most of these hamsters will have golden brown fur with a lighter belly.
How big of a cage do hamsters need?
Syrian hamsters need very big cages because they need a lot of exercises. The smallest cage you can put your Syrian hamster into can be 1x2x1 feet. You can choose between a plastic cage that has a wire on the top and a glass aquarium.
How long does it take for a Syrian hamster to mature?
Syrian hamsters become sexually mature when they are 5 weeks old, but they won’t be successful parents until they are 4 months old. All-female hamsters come into heat every 4 days, which means that you can breed them every 4 days. There are some things you should think about before you decide to breed your hamster.
Why do hamsters bite?
Syrian hamsters can sometimes bite, but that’s mostly people’s fault because they don’t know how to handle them. Syrian hamster will have to learn to trust you while you handle it, and that’s why you should never shake or squeeze it. In the wild, Syrian hamsters are very solitary and territorial.
How big of a box do you need to breed a Syrian hamster?
To breed your Syrian hamsters, you will need a box that is 18 inches square and about 12 inches high. You should also wear gloves in case the female doesn’t want to mate and starts attacking the male and you have to intervene. Place the female hamster and the male hamster into the box and watch how they act.
How old should a hamster be to mate?
The female hamster should be at least 13 weeks old because younger hamsters have problems in 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. ...
What causes hamsters to look pregnant?
Possible illnesses that may result in a pregnant appearance include: Pyometra, which is a womb infection that distends the hamster’s tummy with pus. Enlarged internal organs such as the liver or spleen, which are likely the result of cancer. Heart disease, which can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the belly.
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 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 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.
