How Long Are Hamsters Pregnant For?

Having hamsters as your pet? They are really cute and lovable pets. If you are a new owner and thinking about breeding your hamster, then you must know certain things. Each and every detail about the hamster’s pregnancy is important to take care of it properly. Just like any other animal, hamsters too need a lot of care and support during their pregnancy. To know all the details about how long the pregnancy lasts for hamsters, what they can eat or not, and more, read on. We have provided all the important details below to help you.

HOW LONG IS THE PREGNANCY PERIOD FOR HAMSTERS?

The total duration of the pregnancy for hamsters is really short. It lasts for about 16 days to 22 days in total, depending mainly on the type of hamster. While Syrian hamsters’ pregnancy can last for 16 to 17 days, other hamsters like Roborovski can last for 21 to 22 days. You will notice that the abdomen of the hamster is getting slightly enlarged just a few days before she gives birth to the babies.

Female hamsters can get pregnant several times in their life. But it is better not to breed them more than 3 times. This is because their health tends to decline after 3 litters. An average lifespan of a typical hamster can range from only 2 years to 3 years. So, you need to be very careful while breeding your hamsters. There are many more things that you need to know.

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY IN HAMSTERS

You will not know for sure whether or not your female hamster is pregnant. It can be quite difficult. Also, their total span of pregnancy is so short that by the time you will get to know them, it will be their time to deliver the babies. One of the most common ways to know if your hamster is pregnant is by checking the shape of the body. When the shape of the body changes along with the weight, you will know that your hamster is pregnant. The shape will appear to be like that of a pear when the hamster is pregnant. If you have any doubts, then you can take your hamster to a reliable vet right away to get a confirmation.

There are some other ways too for identifying whether or not the hamster is pregnant. First of all, you have to check the nipple of the female hamster. The nipples tend to become more and more prominent when they are pregnant. Also, you will notice that the female hamster starts to eat more food than usual when she is pregnant. A time will come when you will see that the hamster is making a nest for her babies. This time you will be confirmed that your hamster is pregnant. But the hamster tends to make the nest when there is only a few days left for the delivery.

WHAT TO FEED HAMSTERS?

When the hamster is pregnant, one of the major concerns that can bother you is what to feed them. Of course, that is important to ensure they are healthy and well. While they are omnivores in nature, it is better to feed them vegetables (fresh) and fruits or nuts during their pregnancy. Also, make sure to provide them with plenty of water.

Pellets, nuts, grains, seeds, timothy hay, and cracked corn are the must-have for hamsters that are pregnant. You can discuss with the vet to know more about what to provide them as food and what not to. Make sure to avoid the sugary treats to your hamsters. This can make them obese and can cause a spike in the blood sugar level of your hamster which can be fatal too. You need to provide these healthy and nutritious foods throughout your life to ensure healthy pregnancies and babies.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF HAMSTER DURING PREGNANCY

There is no doubt that hamsters are very amiable, timid, and social animals. They love people’s company and prefer to be petted. But during pregnancy, hamsters can change their social behavior. While not all hamsters do that, some may prefer to live on their own. They can get aggressive when unknown people come near them. So, you need to be careful about this. If your hamster does not like the presence of other people around them, provide them with their own space to keep them happy and content.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAMSTER’S PREGNANCY

There are many important things, as mentioned above, that you need to know when it comes to the pregnancy of a hamster. Some of the most interesting things are:

* The female hamster who is pregnant tends to get very active and restless as the time of delivery approaches
* You may also notice some vaginal bleeding from the hamsters but that is not a thing to worry
* Hamsters are omnivores and you need to feed them healthy and nutritious foods when they are pregnant
* Make sure that you are not breeding your hamsters unless and until they are 8 weeks to 10 weeks old
* Early breeding can lead to stillbirths and also it can be fatal for the female hamster too
* The estrous cycle of the female hamster can last for about 4 days
* The prime time for hamsters to mate is during the evening as they are nocturnal in nature
* After the hamsters give birth to the pups, the pups remain blind for the first 2 weeks
* The weaning will occur after 3 weeks to 4 weeks approximately

CONCLUSION:

This is all about how long the hamsters remain pregnant, how to know they are pregnant, and what you must do. Hopefully, these will help you to know everything in detail. With all this information, it will be quite easier for you to take care of your hamster when she is pregnant. One thing that you need to have is the contact information of a reliable vet. In case there are any issues related to its pregnancy or anything, you can take your hamster to that vet right away. Professional vets can help you through it.