Skip to main content

Care of a pregnant hamster

Care of a pregnant hamster

Hamsters are among the children's favorite pets, but many adults also joined admirers of these lovely rodents.If you have chosen to adopt a couple of hamsters, your female may eventually become pregnant and it will be essential to offer her the optimal conditions for the development of her pregnancy and the growth of her young.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we tell you the main care of a pregnant hamster to help you maintain the good health of your pet during the entire period of pregnancy and lactation.some tips to ensure that the offspring are born and grow up in a safe environment where they can develop strong and healthy.

Symptoms of pregnancy in a hamster

The gestation period of a hamster will depend fundamentally on its breed, but it can also vary according to the organism of each female.Usually, they are very short pregnancies that can last between 15 and 25 days.

This means that, in order to provide adequate care for your hamster during pregnancy, the symptoms of pregnancy must be recognized early.The number of offspring For each pregnancy it will also depend on the type of hamster: while a Russian hamster usually gives birth to 4 to 8 offspring, a golden hamster can give birth to 20 offspring.

Do you wonder how to know if you Hamster is pregnant? Of course, you will not be able to orient yourself just by abdominal dilatation , since females only develop this sign in the last 5 days of gestation.However, you can be aware of the following symptoms listed below:

  • Increased appetite: you should be aware if your hamster begins to consume a lot of water or if his appetite increases suddenly.In addition to a possible symptom of pregnancy, appetite disturbances may indicate some common diseases in hamsters or reveal that your female feels anxious, nervous or that she is being exposed to elevated levels of stress.
  • Sudden weight gain: if your female consumes more food than Normally, it is logical that you gain weight quickly.In addition, the weight gain is part of a pregnancy, as the young grow rapidly inside the womb.
  • Puffy nipples : if by observing the abdomen of your hamster, you observe that your nipples are swollen or look outside , this is a symptom that your body is preparing for breastfeeding.
  • Specific behaviors: if your female is pregnant, she will start build a nest inside the cage and store food inside for the time of delivery.During the first days of pregnancy, females tend to be more aggressive , mainly in relationship to males.But when the time of delivery is approaching, his temper will be more serene and your hamster will need long hours of sleep next to his nest.
Care of a pregnant hamster

Care of a pregnant hamster: veterinary follow-up

If you suspect that your hamster is pregnant or observed any of the symptoms mentioned, we recommend you consult a specialized veterinarian.In the clinic, the professional can not only confirm the pregnancy, but also verify the Female's health status and guide you about her specific requirements during pregnancy and lactation.

You can also take the opportunity to clarify your doubts about how many babies your hamster can give birth and when you should return to make a general examination to the young.In addition, we must not forget that periodic visits to the specialized veterinarian are part of the essential care for your hamster .

Feeding a pregnant hamster

While hamsters should receive complete and balanced nutrition throughout their lives, pregnant females will need special attention for their feeding.During pregnancy, your hamster will require a diet with high Energetic contribution , to prepare your body for breastfeeding and allow the correct development of their offspring.

Ideally, increase your daily consumption of protein and fat good.To do this, in addition to your usual diet, we will try to add natural sources of these nutrients , such as boiled egg, lean cheese, boiled chicken or turkey, cooked ham cut into small pieces, cereals and nuts (nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts and pipes).You can also offer mealworms or other small insects, which are marketed in some veterinarians and pet stores.

Fruits and vegetables recommended for hamsters will also help strengthen the immune system of the pregnant female, as they provide a large amount of vitamins, fibers and minerals.Remember to prefer food of organic origin (grown without agrotoxics) and remove the bones of the fruits before offering them to your rodent.And logically, we will always avoid the prohibited foods for hamsters..

During the emb scratch, we will apply the system "ad libitum" to feed the female.That is: we will leave food and fresh water at your disposal throughout the day.The females will look for food not only when they are hungry, but also to store food for the time of delivery.

Care of a pregnant hamster

Preparing the cage and the environment for your hamster and its young

As we mentioned, pregnant hamsters tend to become more aggressive because they feel vulnerable and defend their territory to ensure their offspring are born in a safe environment, so we must separate the pregnant female from the other hamsters , preparing a cage exclusively for her and her future babies.

In this cage, your hamster must find fresh water and food at his disposal, as well as materials to make his nest, such as straw, wood and twigs.During the entire pregnancy, it will be essential to keep your hamster's cage clean , daily removing the remains of food and feces.But if the female has already begun to build her nest, you must be careful not to undo it.

Gestation is a very delicate period for the female, who undergoes numerous physiological, hormonal and behavioral changes.Therefore, beyond preparing her cage, it will also be essential to provide a ambie Be calm and positive , where your hamster can live a safe and peaceful gestation.To avoid exposing her to high stress contexts, you should not touch her or approach the cage very often.It is important to transmit love and give dear to your pregnant hamster, you will also need to respect their territory.

Baby care

If you notice that your hamster has been a mother, you should give her privacy during breastfeeding and respect your adaptation time to her new reality, so you just have to approach the cage to replenish its water and food, temporarily suspending sanitation. You should not touch the mother or her offspring newborns under any circumstances.This can be interpreted as a sign of weakness and the hamster may eat to their young because they are considered fragile and unable to survive.

In addition, to prevent your hamster from eating its young, you can follow some preventive measures, such as providing a balanced diet of optimal quality, caring for your environment It gives you peace of mind and confidence, and keep them separate from other hamsters during pregnancy and lactation.

After 20 days of delivery, you can return to the cage normally and resume your daily cleaning .Both the ma Ma as their young will be prepared to play with you and receive all your affection.It will also be time to "introduce" the new members of the family to the other hamsters.In addition, it will be an excellent occasion to take the offspring to the veterinarian and control its growth, weight gain and health status.

It is also from this third week of life that baby hamsters are ready to be weaned, so you should be aware for the feeding and care of the offspring.In addition, as of their fifth week, small rodents tend to mature sexually.Therefore, you should seriously consider separating males and females to avoid fights and new unplanned litters.

Care of a pregnant hamster

Image: ultimatepethub.com

Attention to the reproductive control of your hamsters

When joining your hamsters again, you should keep in mind that these rodents reach their sexual maturity very quickly .Starting from their first or second month of life (depending on the breed of hamster), your new companions can already mate and generate new litters.In addition, the females can already get pregnant again about 24 hours after giving birth to their young.

Therefore, you should be aware of the Reproductive control of your hamsters and think very well before putting the males and females together in the same cage.As these rodents usually have many babies for each pregnancy, you can also consider finding responsible and caring people who want to adopt a hamster as a pet.

If you want to read more articles similar to Caring for a pregnant hamster , we recommend that you enter our Gestacion section.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 exotic birds of Chile

Chile is a country in South America that has an impressive geographical variety, due to the which can be found in mountainous areas, volcanic islands and even a polar strip.This multiplicity of climates and zones brings with it a great diversity of species in both flora and fauna. The exotic birds of Chile do not fall behind in terms of this diversity, thanks to which it is possible to find from small birds of warm climates, to penguins.Read reading this article of Animals and Pets Online so that you find out what are the most characteristic species of this country. 1 Andean Condor The Vultur gryphus , also called condor de los Andes, is considered the national bird of Chile , so it appears on the national shield.it's easy: its plumage is almost all black, with white wings and red head .It lives in rocky areas and feeds on carrona.Its appearance is imposing and intimidating. 2.Chilean Flamenco There are six species of flamingos around the world, and three of them ar...

How long does a flea live?

In this article of ANIMALS AND PETS ONLINE we will get into the knowledge of insects that with most often parasitize our companion animals: fleas.These unpleasant jumping parasites and hematophagous in their adult phase, that is, they feed on blood, can transmit diseases, in addition to causing an annoying itching that causes dermatitis in animals more sensitive to their bites.In more severe infestations anemia develops.As if that were not enough, fleas can also bite humans. Knowing how long a flea lives and how it develops will help us fight them using proper deworming.So, read on and take note of the recommendations to combat and prevent them. How long does an adult flea live? Observing a flea between the fur of our company animal is cause for alarm.We must deworm it, change the product if it is already being treated or make sure that we are applying it correctly. Adult fleas live on our animals, feeding on their blood by stinging.On them the females lay eggs , a maxim...

Can a sterile bitch be jealous?

A sterilized bitch can bleed and be in heat If during the surgery there is any remaining or ovarian remnant or it has an ectopic ovarian tissue, although sterilization is a routine operation in most veterinary clinics, for many caregivers this intervention remains a source of unknown and uncertainty.This article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain what is sterilization and what are its effects on the reproductive function, so that we can answer the question about whether a sterilized dog can be zealous, one of the Issues that caregivers usually ask.Whether you have sterilized your dog as if you are going to sterilize it in the future, this article interests you. What is dog sterilization? Sterilization consists in the removal of the reproductive organs of the dog with the aim of preventing her sexual cycle, that is, to avoid having the jealousy and can get pregnant .Bitches usually have their first zeal around 8 months, somewhat later in larger breeds and earlier in s...

The paratrooper cat syndrome

We have always seen cats as great balancers, agile, fast and very clever, both We say that they have 7 lives, but the fact is that their strategies do not always work out well, they have calculation errors, impulses that are difficult to control, among other factors, and sometimes flight, persecution or play go wrong and end up in an accident.. Did you know that there is a feline syndrome known as the parachute cat syndrome? A priori it may sound funny to us, but it is a problem that should concern those who have a domestic cat in their lives, especially if they live in tall buildings, precisely because of these natural mistakes they can make. Read on This new article from Animals and Pets Online to discover what the parachute cat syndrome is about and how to act in case it occurs. What is the parachute cat syndrome This syndrome, also known under the name of the flying cat syndrome, deals with the domestic accident that cats most commonly suffer and that falls from great heig...

Gingivitis in cats

The cat is one of the domestic mammals with fewer teeth: it is 30, and like other mammals lose their deciduous teeth between 4 and 6 months.The health of the cat's mouth is paramount since it uses its mouth to hunt, do its cleaning and the most vital: feed. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums and is a common problem in cats, but if not treated properly it can get worse.Gingivitis can affect cats of all ages but occurs more frequently in young or young adults. This article of Animals and Pets Online we will tell you how to recognize gingivitis in cats and how to act against feline gingivitis. Recognize a gingivitis: symptoms of gingivitis in the cat The first thing to help a cat with gingivitis is to identify the problem: a gingivitis usually starts with a thin red line along the gums and they look swollen and red gums.A cat with gingivitis You will suffer pain and you can eat less especially refuse to eat dry feed because this type of feed is hard and causes more ...

How to walk your dog correctly?

The walk is undoubtedly one of the most important moments of the day for our dog.It not only allows you to make your needs, it also helps you to continue socializing, lower stress levels or exercise if possible.However, many owners overlook essential details for that your dog has an enriching and complete walk , turning this routine into a little motivating habit for his companions. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will give you some basic handling tips so that Know how to walk your dog correctly , as well as some tips that you can apply to offer an extra stimulation to the day to day of your dog. 1.The right equipment, according to the dog The tools you use to walk with your dog will determine the quality of the walk , so it is essential to choose correctly.Then we review the most popular fasteners: Collar : indicated for dogs that know how to walk correctly and without pulling. Anti-escape collar : recommended for fearful dogs that they walk without pul...

Why does my dog ​​lose hair around the eyes?

Have you noticed that your dog loses hair around the eyes? eyes? Does the edge of the eyes red? It could be called demodectic mange , also known as canine demodicosis, a health problem caused by elacaro demodex canis . In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will move on to detail the symptoms that can produce localized demodectic mange, how to diagnose the presence of mites in the eyes of the dog and what will be the treatment to follow. Keep reading and discover why my dog ​​loses hair around the eyes with the mass advice for your case: Symptoms deacaros in the dog's eyes If you wonder why my dog ​​loses hair around the eyes, perhaps it is due to the appearance of localized demodectic mange .This problem caused by poracaros usually affects the dog's face although It can also occur in paws and other areas of the body.It usually affects young, elderly dogs or those with a weak immune system. The symptoms of localized demodectic mange are usually the follow...

How to help a dog to give birth?

Generally, bitches stop alone without the need for any human intervention.That is why, if we ask ourselves how to help our dog to give birth, in a high percentage of cases the answer will be that the best help is to do nothing.But, just in case any complications arise, in this Animals and Pets Online article we will explain the signs that tell us that a dog is in labor, as is the normal course of it and that problems should alert us to call the veterinarian. If you consider that your dog needs you to intervene and Therefore, you are interested in knowing how to help a dog to give birth if she cannot , read on to know all the keys. How does the birth of a female dog begin? If we want to know how to help a dog to give birth, the first thing is to acquire the basic knowledge about childbirth in this species.The bitches have a gestations of about 62 days .It is not an exact science, if we can count on the delivery to be triggered around those days.A considerable delay should mak...

How to teach a puppy to do his needs on the street?

Around three months of life, the Puppy has already received the first vaccines and it is the perfect time to start teaching him to urinate outside the house.It is not just a habit to keep the home clean, the walk is fundamental for the welfare of the dog and to continue with the socialization of our puppy, which is essential for him to relate positively to people and other dogs. Probably your puppy has already learned to urinate in the newspaper and, perhaps, this process is a bit confusing but don't worry, with patience and the use of positive reinforcement it will be very easy to find.Find out in this article from Animals and Pets Online how to teach a puppy to do his needs on the street : Before teaching the puppy to pee outside As we have mentioned in the introduction, it will be essential that before going out to the street your dog already has the first vaccines , it will be essential because otherwise you can suffer all kinds of diseases, such as distemper, parvov...

What to do if my dog ​​does not want to walk on a leash?

The walk is an indispensable routine for the dog, since It depends on her that she can socialize, sniff, make her needs and, in short, enjoy the well-being that corresponds to her.However, sometimes, it may happen that our dog does not let go of the leash that stands in the middle of the road and does not want to move forward . In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will show you how you should act to positively associate the strap, harness or collar, as well as some tricks to encourage your dog when walking on the street. Don't you know what to do when your dog doesn't want to walk on a leash? Then we solve all your doubts, take note: Why doesn't my dog ​​let on the leash? There are different situations that can cause a dog not to put on the leash.It may happen that we are facing a puppy that has never walked before or before an adult dog that is afraid or shows aggressiveness , perhaps due to a bad experience in the past. Except in severe cases of ...