Possible pregnancy?

Plush · 03-24-2005, 08:37 PM

Hello all.

I got Honey about 5-6 days ago from a pet shop. She is a full-size adult syrian but I believe she could be pregnant.

What are the basic ways to tell if she is or not? Besides extra weight, of course.

I'm fully prepared to take care of her and the babies if she is in fact pregnant.

Here are two photos I took tonight.

Emma · 03-25-2005, 02:56 AM

Was she kept with other hamsters in the pet shop, did they attempt to sex them? I know lots of pet shops refuse to guarantee sex (of the hamster!) but some will at least try.

I'm sure someone who breeds will be able to answer your question better than I can

but the only sure-fire way may be just waiting 10 more days and seeing. A swollen abdomen and more prominent nipples might be clues, and perhaps some behavioural changes, but as you haven't had her very long these might be difficult to spot and differentiate from just "new hamster" behaviour.

Sorry I can't be of more help

although one hamster I got from a pet shop a few years ago, we were convinced she was pregnant from the rate she grew outwards but not upwards, but she turned out just to be greedy, not pregnant! You won't have long to find out either way though.

Emma x

SnuggleHam · 03-25-2005, 06:25 AM

I agree with Emma, I think the only way to know is by watching her behavior, is she nesting allot? Moving her nest around? When they get close to the birth they may act a bit more lethargic maybe not use their wheel as much?

But you may just have to wait and see if you find some pink little bodies. In some hamsters you can never really tell if they are pregnant, sometimes you wont really see a change until a few days before they give birth,

It would be exciting is she was though!

Plush · 03-25-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma

Was she kept with other hamsters in the pet shop, did they attempt to sex them? I know lots of pet shops refuse to guarantee sex (of the hamster!) but some will at least try.

I'm sure someone who breeds will be able to answer your question better than I can

but the only sure-fire way may be just waiting 10 more days and seeing. A swollen abdomen and more prominent nipples might be clues, and perhaps some behavioural changes, but as you haven't had her very long these might be difficult to spot and differentiate from just "new hamster" behaviour.

Sorry I can't be of more help

although one hamster I got from a pet shop a few years ago, we were convinced she was pregnant from the rate she grew outwards but not upwards, but she turned out just to be greedy, not pregnant! You won't have long to find out either way though.

Emma x

She's larger today than when I posted this yesterday so I'm going to assume that she is in fact pregnant.

Her nipples seem much larger now and her belly is swollen and a little firm.

Shouldn't be long now.

Thanks for your help.

**babyboos** · 03-25-2005, 08:30 PM

Nipples are a good indicator - they will be quite red and swollen as she nears her time...

Emma · 03-26-2005, 12:39 AM

Oh exciting

are you going to let the pet shop know? Even if they don't seem to care, if something goes wrong with a pet shop ham I go back in to let them know, in case someone who works there does care enough to do something about it! (ie sex hamsters better in this case).

Have you thought where to find homes for the babies now?

Hope it all goes well with Honey, good luck

Plush · 03-26-2005, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma

Oh exciting

are you going to let the pet shop know? Even if they don't seem to care, if something goes wrong with a pet shop ham I go back in to let them know, in case someone who works there does care enough to do something about it! (ie sex hamsters better in this case).

Have you thought where to find homes for the babies now?

Hope it all goes well with Honey, good luck

I will be calling the pet store Monday to mention it. All the hamsters in Honey's cage were female (I looked at them all and Honey won me over!), so she must have gotten pregnant before the shop got them in. They did say they had only had them for 2-3 days before I came in. Its a pretty nice store. I've gotten a few really great hamsters that lived LONG healthy lives.

I'm going to keep 1 or 2 of the babies. As of now I can safely say I can find a home for at least 1 or 2 more. After that I'll maybe post something at work about them. Hopefully, Honey won't have too many (just kidding)!

She is getting pretty big now. They should be here soon.

Emma · 03-27-2005, 02:14 AM

Wherabouts are you?

Plush · 03-27-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma

Wherabouts are you?

I'm from the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (US) area.

**babyboos** · 03-27-2005, 10:32 AM

You could always put an advert on the Classified Section of this forum - not sure if we have any other members near you but at least you will know they are going to hamster lovers

I do hope she doesn't have too many, she is a young lady and it does take a lot out of them - make sure you are giving her lots of extra food rations, and focus on a high protein content.