Pregnant? Fat? or just strange? :P

spyro87 · 07-21-2014, 04:43 PM

Ok, so, I've noticed some very odd behaviour from Honey in the 10days I've had her.

She's put on 10g in a single week, whereas my other hams (on the same diet but + a milk bone once a week) only put on 4g average per week.

She didn't have a pouch of food or anything, and this week she was given her new 29cm wheel... so I find her 10g increase even more perplexing.

She's been twitchy, and jumpy when I go to her bin cage. But once she's in my hand she's calm, wonderfully calm, calmer and more still than ANY of my other hams. When I wrap my hand around her tum she feels a little, hard/tight tummied... but it could just be that she's tense cause I'm picking her up....

I give her a bowl of food and she practically wolfs the whole tablespoon of food down in one sitting, minus a few nuggets that she stashes. Her stash is the smallest out of all my hams. Her bowl sits empty for most of the day after this. i'm reluctant to feed her more as I feel 1 tablespoon is enough - the rest of my hams find it to be more than enough.

So, I guess my question is; is my hammy likely pregnant? just fat? or really, really strange...?

I've attached some photos. By my estimation she should have a maximum of 6days left - if its pregnancy - if I'm honest I think pregnancy is unlikely.

Anyway opinions are appreciated

thank you all in advance.

Colby and the Dwarfs · 07-21-2014, 04:53 PM

The belly picture makes her look pregnant to me. This is Mozza when she was pregnant:

**DrKMcK** · 07-21-2014, 04:58 PM

Hey Spyro. Uh oh. Could be. I do see nipples very clearly. I had one pregnancy where Mama Sandy only had 3 babies. So, she never really got very large. Any female hammy has the possibility of being pregnant if there was any, any, chance they had contact with a male hammy before you got her. So, the only thing you can do is behave as if Honey is pregnant. Don't stint on her food because, if she is pregnant, she and the babies will need the extra nutrition. Start a pregnancy diet now. You only have 6-8 days to be sure she is, or is not, pregnant. I'd count up to 18 days before saying it's a no go. Oh dear.

humfry · 07-21-2014, 05:06 PM

can I make it quite clear that if Honey is in the family way & there is any suggestion that the daddy is called humfry then it is not ME! Don't want people getting the wrong idea like!
humfry snr

oh dear! I am increasingly relieved I went for a male hamster. hope things go well with Honey if she is having babies - start gathering spare cages!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-21-2014, 05:06 PM

I couldn't guess either way but I guess if in doubt act like she is and time will tell. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she's not for you

spyro87 · 07-21-2014, 05:16 PM

lol @Humfry Sr, nope it's definitely not little Humfry Jr's babies xD they came from 2 different places.

Oh dear... I was worried you'd all say possibly pregnant... ok, I'll top up her food often and just feed her til she's happy xD and I will cross cross and triple cross my fingers that she just luuuuurves food...

Hekomi · 07-21-2014, 05:17 PM

On Java, you can see hers just as well, and Cora and Nony were similar - I think it's just the nipples are more prominent on hamsters with a white belly.

I'd put her on pregnancy watch just in case, and keep an eye.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-21-2014, 05:34 PM

I can see Eggbiscuits nipples, she's a satin cinnamon banded and she's definetly not pregnant - the same went for Fwirl (who was the same colour and coat). Hamsters can also look that round without it being anything... The problem is that both can be nothing or both can be something, its always really difficult to tell

**DrKMcK** · 07-21-2014, 05:58 PM

I think anytime a new female hammy comes home and her behavior is even just a little bit "nesty" or "hungry" the concern of a possible pregnancy comes up, unless you can be certain no male was near her. I don't blame you at all for your concern. Since you aren't sure, better to give her a better diet for 6-8 days just in case. I think because of all the babies we've had here on the site, babies are at the top of our minds. It won't hurt Honey to have more food for a week, so no harm will be done.

Hekomi · 07-21-2014, 06:01 PM

Agreed. Java was the same, hence her pregnancy watch, and she defied all the odds when she reared, lol.