my new Hammie is pregnant I think......

[ipodhammie]

I just recently as of less than a week ago got a new hamster and I am very sure she is pregnant.........Not too sure what to do and hoping that maybe I am just being paranoid but it seems like she is getting bigger..........ANY suggestions???? her name is Ipod

[PetLuver21257]

Ok, first off, I have a question:

What kind of hamster is it, a Syrian or a kind of Dwarf?

For Dwarves and Syrians, DO NOT TOUCH THE BABIES UNTIL THEY ARE AT LEAST 14 DAYS OLD!

Make sure, before the mom has her babies, clean out the cage well, and give her plenty of toilet paper so that she can make a nest.

Syrians: They can have up to 20 babies. They are loners, so each one of the babies needs a separate cage when they start to quarrel. Leave the cage completely ALONE for 14 days. Just go in there to change the food and the water. Change the bedding when the babies are 14 DAYS OLD. Give the mother bread soaked in milk before the birth.

Dwarves: Dwarves can have up to 12 babies, but they most likely will have 3-8 babies. Dwarves are social, they can be kept in pairs or in small groups, so you have to separate the males and the females after they are weaned. Here is a checklist on what to do and when to do it:

Days 1 - 7: Leave the cage completely alone. Don't bother the mother. Only get in the cage to change food and water.

Day 8: Cut up tiny pieces of apple (or carrot) and put them in the nest with the pups. It's very funny to watch them eat the pieces! These foods will help keep the babies from becoming dehydrated, which is crucial when they are this age.

Day 9: Offer mom snacks and let her have a break from motherhood. Take her out of the cage and hold her for a few minutes or let her run around in a ball.

Day 10: As with Day 8, offer the babies more soft fruit pieces.

Day 11: Lower the water bottle to 1/2" - 3/4" from the bedding so the babies can reach it.

Day 12 - 14: Continue to offer very small amounts of apple and carrot, but do so sparingly. Around the 12th, be sure to always have plenty of their regular diet (seeds and pellets) available because the babies will start to eat this. Also, let the mother have some alone time by handling her or putting her in her ball.

Day 15 - 18: Make sure the babies are eating the regular seed/pellet diet, just like the mother. Watch to make sure they have found the water bottle and know how to drink from it.

Day 19: The babies are now ready to be separated from mom. Though it might seem upsetting, the mom will be glad for the rest and relaxation time!

But, I would suggest that the babies be separated at age 24 days old... Good Luck and keep us posted!

[Zouave]

Great advice.

I would also add they should be separated by gender at 5-6 weeks. If Syrians, they must be separated from each other at about 8 weeks.

[ipodhammie]

I have a syrian Hamster I have bred dwarves before and that was a mess didnt think I would ever have babies again but I cleaned her out and Im just waiting for the babies because She is showing discomfort........ Thank you for the advice....

[PetLuver21257]

I have bred dwarves before and that was a mess didnt think I would ever have babies again Wait, you have bred dwarves on purpose or accidently? What happened to them? Why was it a "mess"?

Well, Syrians are MUCH harder to care for if they have babies because they each need their own cage... Good Luck and your welcome for the advice.