by Danielle Friedl

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

A lot of hamster pregnancies are a surprise - usually the result of innocently bringing home a new pet only to find out a week or so later that she's expecting! Hamsters are very solitary animals. They can live quite happily in their own habitat, provided they are properly cared for by their owner, and pregnant hamsters are no different.

Hamsters are able to breed at only 3-4 weeks of age and gestation time is a short 16-21 days. When it is becoming visibly obvious that a hamster is pregnant, i.e. she's getting fat, there is roughly 6-7 days left in the pregnancy. Now is the time to help with her impending birth and then step back to let Mother Nature take its course.

While hamsters in general like to live alone it is even more important for pregnant hamsters as to prevent any unnecessary tragedies. A pregnant hamster can continue to eat her regular hamster feed but she would benefit from some extra protein and vitamins. Adding bits of hard boiled eggs and cut up raw carrots is a great healthy treat. Make sure she has plenty of clean, fresh water at all times.

About 3-4 days after she is noticeably pregnant give the cage a thorough cleaning. Take away her exercise wheel and add extra fluff or bedding for her to make a proper nest for her impending newborn babies. Many pet stores carry a nesting igloo where the female can give birth and spend the first week caring for her babies without intruding eyes, however this is not necessary. Attention to the habitat from that point on should be limited to feeding, watering and light housekeeping of the bathroom corner of the cage. Don't linger too long or the hamster may get scared or angry, which could lead to her eating her young.

From this point on the mother hamster will take care of everything herself. On occasion she may eat some of her own babies even if she hasn't been disturbed. Although distressing for the pet owner, it is perfectly natural if the mother feels that there is either something wrong with the baby or she is overwhelmed. The most important thing to remember with a pregnant hamster is not to interfere. Mother Nature has equipped her with all the necessary tools for handling it on her own.

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