Pregnant or not

Louise_Redwood · 11-30-2011, 12:52 PM

Hi, I recently got a hamster (i have her pedigree) and in the last few days i have noticed that she has been getting quite fat and firm around the hips, so i was wondering if this was a sign she is pregnant, i have never thought about breeding my hamsters but i have a feeling this one is, i got her on the 25th of this month and she has never been around a male hamster while with me..

Also she seems to be 'nesting' i think as she is dragging bits of paper and toilet paper and her sawdust in to her house and hoarding her food and she is also getting very impatient and restless, as i bring her out for about a hour or two everyday i have had her to play with her and get her used to me and for her to get some more excersie while running around in my bedroom and climbing over her ttoys, but she seems be biting her cage a lot none of my hamsters ever do this unless i take their wheel out but she still has hers...could she be pregnant?

lisab · 11-30-2011, 02:05 PM

That is normal hamster behaviour to bulid a nest and to store food and to chew the cage.

To be safe though I would leave her alone for 16 from when you had her. if she is getting bigger then that would mean that she would be due soon. just feed her and give her water as normal but dont take her out of the cage. take the wheel out for now.
Have a read up on what to do (nothing really untill there eyes are open) just incase.
Once you get past the 16 days you know she wasnt pregnant

Louise_Redwood · 11-30-2011, 02:31 PM

Okay i will do that

thanks for the help, but any more info is greatly appreciated in case she is.

souffle · 11-30-2011, 02:52 PM

If she came from a breeder with a pedigree she really shouldn't be pregnant. Perhaps you should contact the breeder and check if there is any chance at all she was left too long with her siblings or escaped or anything like that? It would be very irresponsible to sell a hamster that might be pregnant!
There is some great advice here
Breeding Syrian Hamsters - Advice & Guidance - National Hamster Council
Some hamsters just grow really quick when they have their own food and everything they need. Don't feed too many sweet treats etc.
Other causes of swelling in the abdomen are things like a bowel blockage or tumour and in females a womb infection or pyometra. They sometimes chew the water spout and get all bloated up with water too. Does she do this? If she shows any sign of illness you should see a vet of course.

Louise_Redwood · 11-30-2011, 05:41 PM

The breeder said she was put in by accident with another litter when i first bought her but i didnt think she would end up pregnant if she does i do not mind as i will be able to pay for vet bills and have room just in case i cannot find homes for the potential babies but i am hoping she won't be as i am wanting to get to know my hamster and not have to wait for weeks before she can be taken out of her cage because of potential pups..

StarlightSerenity · 11-30-2011, 06:08 PM

I'm sorry but if she has pups it's the breeders responsibility to sort out homes etc - she's the one who's made the mistake.

How old is she exactly and when would she have been in with the other litter?

vanilla-yazoo · 11-30-2011, 06:29 PM

i do agree with SS if the breeder put her in with males, they should take responsibility, ild say start genlte training, like taking food, accepting your hand in the cage, stroking, if she will let you hold her, do it but gently, and give her some extra goodies just in case, they love a bit of chicken and some veg(every other day, can make runny tummys) mine particularly like 'grandpas sunday lunch' baby food, its one of the few thats safe(no garlic, or spices or citrus) and has the veg and chicken pureed together. its terrys favorite food in the world!
if she starts putting on alot of weight on the tummy area, ild ajust her cage, clean it out, give ltos of nesting material, wait for the 16-18 days to pass, if you get to 20 days and no pups, you are fine

hope everythings well

xxlisaxxmariexx · 11-30-2011, 06:30 PM

i hope your hamster is ok and that the pups will be okay.

souffle · 11-30-2011, 11:41 PM

If she has been in with males there is every chance she is pregnant. Prepare as the article link I gave you suggests and wait and see what happens. The nipples usually start to show around 12 days and also the bulges over the hips. We always see what we call 'water wings' as the milk glands develop sort of under the 'armpits' Good luck. Remember you won't be able to clean out for 2 weeks at least and you should take out any small hamster houses as they are too small for babies. We use a big cardboard box or nothing at all except a huge pile if toilet tissue bedding. (NO fluffy bedding)
Females can get pregnant from 4 weeks!

Demecat · 12-01-2011, 09:08 AM

Also, don't be surprised if she has a large litter! Syrians can have up to 20 babies, and the younger the mother, the closer she is to having that many!

If you can afford to buy it, the Hamsterlopaedia is the best hamster book on the market and has a whole chapter dedicated to breeding hamsters!

Hamsterlopaedia: Amazon.co.uk: Chris Logsdail, Pete Logsdail, Kate Hovers: Books