First time owning a pregnant hamster

[MeganAndMisty]

So I kind of ended up with a pregnant hamster and I have no clue how to take care of. I know it sounds terrible but first let me explain. So I was in my local pet shop and this 13 year old girl comes in and tries to sell this pregnant hamster and the lady behind the counter wont buy it. The poor hamster was in a tiny cardboard perfume box so I'm already worried about it. The girl turns around and tells the lady that if she doesn't take the hamster her mother said to drown it! So obviously since the lady wasn't gonna buy it I couldn't let her kill the poor hamster.

She's currently in Misty's old 10 gallon cage (I know it's terrible) But I literally have no idea how to care for a pregnant hamster or babies. I looked for hamster rescues and the nearest one is over 3 hours away but no one in my house drives. I don't know how close she is until she gives birth. Is there anything that I should or Shouldn't do? I'm not trying to tame her because as I discovered when trying to put her in the tank she likes to bite. (I know you're not meant to touch new hamsters right away anyway.) But is there any foods I shouldn't feed her? Should I remove the wheel from her cage? What about toys? Should I add In an extra bed for her? Can anyone give me advice for when she gives birth she's extremely stressed out right now and I don't want her to eat the babies when they're born.

I know this whole situation might seem stupid since I wasn't even considering getting another hamster anytime soon. And I've barely had much experience owning hamsters. But I couldn't just let her die. Any advice would be amazing. Thank you.

[Pebbles82]

Firstly - well done for rescuing this hamster! And her babies. I'm sure one of the breeders will come along soon with good advice. All I know is it's best not to disturb her. Make sure she has plenty of substrate and a big pile of torn up plain white toilet paper for a nest, then don't disturb anything other than to change the food and water each day - no cleaning or handling and don't go too close or do anything that might make her feel threatened (so she doesn't cull the babies when she's had them). I think once the pups are out of the nest and you can see them - handling may be possible then. Also try and give her extra protein as well as her hamster mix. I'll leave one of the experts to advise on that

I would think a 10 gallon tank would be ok for the Mum while she is having babies. And you'll need extra cages/bin cages/tanks at some point for when the babies are separated from the Mum (one for the boys, one for the girls) - at some point.

[Vectis Hamstery]

It sounds a stressful situation for you and the poor hamster!

I'd just give her good quality hamster mix right now to let her tum settle from the move. When she has the pups I'd start giving protein-rich extras like egg or chicken. I tend not to feed my girls too much extra protein before delivery as I don't want the pups to grow really large before birth and cause birthing problems.

Taking the wheel out is a good idea. As she's stressed, she might find a nest box reassuring as she can hide away. I use cardboard boxes a lot - and cut the base of it out so it's more like a hut and open to the substrate at the bottom. Give her plenty of nesting material - plain unscented toilet paper is good. Avoid fluffy bedding.

I'd settle her tank somewhere quiet and calm. Perhaps put a towel over one end to make it dark and cosy which will help her feel less stressed. When the pups come, leave absolutely well alone. Only go in the tank to add food and water once a day. No peeking even through the sides of the tank at the pups given how new she is to your home and how stressful this is for her.

Good luck

[BCjetta]

Since she's in the 10 gallon I'd just keep her in there until the babies have eyes open and are starting to wander around and then I'd move everyone to a bigger cage (you could make a bin cage pretty quick and cheap). I'd also take the wheel out.

Where abouts do you live?