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05-22-2019, 06:20 PM
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#1
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Hamster change in behavior
My girl is still sweet, social and active. She has 10 inches of bedding so her favorite place to sleep is under all that. For the past few days she started to eat and store so much food in her pouch, even the pellets she refused before. She hardly comes out, when she does it’s to do her thing (wheel, eat, drink or use the sand bath, will hang out fine with me if I offer my hand) then back to her underground world. She wasn’t like that before, she’d hang out outside ALL night, even napping in a corner on top of the bedding if needed. She’s chubbier but in a 8 shape of some sorts since her cheeks are full. It’s getting colder and winter will hit in a few weeks so that might be it? I live in a tropical country so it doesn’t get very cold. I’m worried she’s sick or pregnant, which is an irrational fear I can’t shake off, not prepared to deal with pups from my first hamster, I can see her nipples depending on the angle
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05-23-2019, 12:15 AM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 3,640
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Has she been near any male hamsters?
Syrian hamsters are only pregnant for about 16 days so if she’s not been near any other hamsters recentely, she’s not likely to be pregnant.
In preparation for winter, some hamsters do seem to stash a bit more and spend more time in their nests. I guess that it’s a trait leftover from their days in the wild. That’s not necessarily anything to worry about but Syrian hamsters do enter a semi hibernation state called torpor if they get too cold so keep an eye on the temperature in the room that she lives in.
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05-23-2019, 02:37 AM
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#3
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffagrams
Has she been near any male hamsters?
Syrian hamsters are only pregnant for about 16 days so if she’s not been near any other hamsters recentely, she’s not likely to be pregnant.
In preparation for winter, some hamsters do seem to stash a bit more and spend more time in their nests. I guess that it’s a trait leftover from their days in the wild. That’s not necessarily anything to worry about but Syrian hamsters do enter a semi hibernation state called torpor if they get too cold so keep an eye on the temperature in the room that she lives in.
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She’s a Russian dwarf actually and today marks 21 days since I’ve had her so I guess we’re in the clear for pregnancy? I got her from a pet store, so maybe she was with males, not sure... I know it’s not ideal, but I didn’t want a hamster, I wanted HER. tonight she had her pouches emptier, but her nest is out of sight unless she burrows food against the glass. I’m covering half of her tank with a light blanket during the night, daytime is still warmish. She’s in my daughters room, so it’s always a good temperature. I’ve had other pets before, she’s by far my favorite, so I worry a lot hahah
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05-23-2019, 06:08 AM
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#4
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PM Fluffy for custom title
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Don't feel bad about getting a pet store hamster, that is an entirely personal decision that nobody but the owner can make.
That being said, some pet store employees just aren't aware of how to properly determine what sex a hamster is(or even guinea pigs for example)so there is an inherent risk with any pet store hamster being pregnant.
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05-23-2019, 07:51 AM
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 3,640
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dearest
She’s a Russian dwarf actually and today marks 21 days since I’ve had her so I guess we’re in the clear for pregnancy? I got her from a pet store, so maybe she was with males, not sure... I know it’s not ideal, but I didn’t want a hamster, I wanted HER. tonight she had her pouches emptier, but her nest is out of sight unless she burrows food against the glass. I’m covering half of her tank with a light blanket during the night, daytime is still warmish. She’s in my daughters room, so it’s always a good temperature. I’ve had other pets before, she’s by far my favorite, so I worry a lot hahah
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It may be possible that she may have been with males in a pet shop as employees are not always able to accurately sex hamsters, particularly Russian and Roborovski Hamsters where it may not always be as glaringly obvious.
A Russian Hamster's usual gestation is about 18 days but they can delay pregnancy so it can be up to 25 days gestation. Often pregnant Syrians will show in the run up to the due date but this is not always the case and I had a Chinese who barely showed at all when she was pregnant with her 7 babies. If she is pregnant then it's best to keep disturbances to a minimum until the pups are about 14 days old. If they've recentely given birth you may notice them spending very little time outside of the nest, and once out, they will often rush back again. You may also hear squeaks or rustling in the nest that might give you an indication that there are babies on the way and you may notice some change to the mother's shape.
Hopefully this is not going to be the case and the changes in her behaviour are down to seasonal variations but just in case I thought I ought to cover it. There are several breeders on this forum on hand to give advice if she is pregnant so don't worry we can help you with information on that.
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05-23-2019, 10:37 AM
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#6
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 21
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Aww my very best wishes to your little sweetie. I also just something I wanted to note something since you mentioned that you live in a tropical country. Are you able to keep her surroundings at a range between around 68-72. That's very helpful to maintaining her long-term health and comfort, and certainly for her and her pups if she is indeed pregnant. I hope things go well. Keep us updated. -M
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05-23-2019, 05:21 PM
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#7
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams
Don't feel bad about getting a pet store hamster, that is an entirely personal decision that nobody but the owner can make.
That being said, some pet store employees just aren't aware of how to properly determine what sex a hamster is(or even guinea pigs for example)so there is an inherent risk with any pet store hamster being pregnant.
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Oh thanks! I gave up fish keeping because of the pet store abuse so it felt a bit odd. But I just wanted her and I’m sure she wanted to be mine too, she begs to be held since day one, falls asleep on me, empties her pouch on my hands so she can eat it. So I’ve come to terms that it is what it is and I’m happy I can give her a good life from the start thanks to this forum.
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05-23-2019, 05:25 PM
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#8
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffagrams
It may be possible that she may have been with males in a pet shop as employees are not always able to accurately sex hamsters, particularly Russian and Roborovski Hamsters where it may not always be as glaringly obvious.
A Russian Hamster's usual gestation is about 18 days but they can delay pregnancy so it can be up to 25 days gestation. Often pregnant Syrians will show in the run up to the due date but this is not always the case and I had a Chinese who barely showed at all when she was pregnant with her 7 babies. If she is pregnant then it's best to keep disturbances to a minimum until the pups are about 14 days old. If they've recentely given birth you may notice them spending very little time outside of the nest, and once out, they will often rush back again. You may also hear squeaks or rustling in the nest that might give you an indication that there are babies on the way and you may notice some change to the mother's shape.
Hopefully this is not going to be the case and the changes in her behaviour are down to seasonal variations but just in case I thought I ought to cover it. There are several breeders on this forum on hand to give advice if she is pregnant so don't worry we can help you with information on that.
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Thank you! In my sort of freaking out moment I did some research on pregnancy and pup care, but it only made me want babies less and less lol. I hear nothing in her cage so that’s a big relief. I can’t wait until the one month mark so I can put this behind, sounds silly, but it’s pure nightmare fuel to me. No idea what I’d do with 7 babies after they wean
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05-23-2019, 05:27 PM
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#9
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Quote:
Originally Posted by merlin
Aww my very best wishes to your little sweetie. I also just something I wanted to note something since you mentioned that you live in a tropical country. Are you able to keep her surroundings at a range between around 68-72. That's very helpful to maintaining her long-term health and comfort, and certainly for her and her pups if she is indeed pregnant. I hope things go well. Keep us updated. -M
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Thank you! Keeping her warm in the winter is easier, I’ll have to figure out how to keep the room colder during summer, but I guess it won’t be too hard. I live in the 14th floor so not much direct sun and a nice breeze, also not a super hot city.
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06-05-2019, 08:44 PM
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#10
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 24
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Re: Hamster change in behavior
Hey guys! A update: I’ve had Poppy for a month now and no babies! I’m so relieved! I had no idea what I’d do if she showed up with pups, I’m an adult but I have a daughter (who is gentle and caring but I know it’d be difficult for her to understand the no touching mom and pups) and no space to even separate by sex. So thank god that never happened. Poppy is still a bit odd, very social and begs to be held when out, but if I don’t act fast she’ll hide again under the bedding and take a few hours to come back. It’s getting even colder here now so I’m covering her cage at night, just gave her a bit more bedding to dig and she loves it. We’re working on making her more toys and hides. I got her the cutest little house last week but her tunnels are still a favorite. So I guess the change in behavior was really coming from the cold weather. Thanks guys!
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Tags
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it’s, eat, hang, hamster, she’s, bedding, full, deal, pups, colder, winter, nipples, chubbier, depending, needed, angle, hit, sorts, shape, cheeks, prepared, worried, i’m, top, cold |
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