Has the big day arrived? Your female Is your hamster about to give birth? Here is what you should do and what you should avoid, to make her labor easier. You will see, it is very simple.
Understanding the gestation period of the hamster
Before we talk about what to do when your hamster gives birth, let's first look at the gestation period. The length of gestation varies according to the species of hamster: about 16 days for dwarf hamsters, and 18 to 22 days for adult hamsters. Syrian hamsters. During this period, it is recommended to avoid handling the female too much to avoid causing unnecessary stress.
Prepare the space where your hamster will give birth
In order for your hamster to give birth in the best conditions, prepare its space with care, such as
- Choose a quiet room Your hamster needs to feel safe to give birth. Keep him away from sources of noise and commotion to avoid stress.
- Provide suitable bedding A soft and comfortable bedding is essential for the mother to prepare a cosy nest to its young. Choose a dust-free paper or cellulose litter.
- Make sure the cage is clean and secure Clean the your hamster's cage The cage should be secure enough to prevent the babies from escaping, but avoid chemicals that could be harmful to the babies. Also, make sure the cage is secure enough to prevent the pups from escaping.
Monitor the behavior of the female during delivery
During delivery, observe the female discreetly to ensure that she is doing well and taking good care of her young. Here are the signs to watch out for:
- The female seems nervous or agitated This may indicate that she is about to give birth. Make sure she has a quiet, safe place to retire to give birth.
- She removes hair from her belly This behavior is normal for hamsters that are expecting young. The female hamster creates a cozy nest for her babies when they are born.
- She rejects some babies If the female rejects one or more of her babies, do not attempt to intervene. Unfortunately, this usually means that the babies are weak or sick and the mother considers them unable to survive.
- She eats some of her babies Although this may seem shocking, it is actually a natural behavior for hamsters. In the wild, a female hamster may eat some of her young if she feels that they will not survive or if she lacks the resources to feed them.
What to do if the female seems to be in trouble?
If you notice that your hamster is having trouble giving birth or seems to be suffering, contact a veterinarian specialized in exotic animals immediately. He will be able to give you advice adapted to the situation and eventually intervene if necessary.
Take care of mother and babies after delivery
And after the birth, what to do? You will see, it's easy:
- Leave the mother and babies alone Do not handle the pups during the first few days after they are born, as this may stress the mother and cause her to abandon them.
- Provide a suitable diet increase the food quantity You can also offer her celery for hydration. You can also offer her celery for hydration.
- Check the water bottle regularly Make sure that the water bottle is always full and functional so that the mother can hydrate properly to feed her babies.
- Watch the babies Keep an eye on their growth and development to make sure they are growing normally. Baby hamsters should gain weight daily and begin to open their eyes around day 10.
When to separate babies from their mothers?
We recommend that you separate baby hamsters from their mothers between 3 and 4 weeks after birth. At this age, they are independent enough to fend for themselves and can be adopted by new families if you wish. It depends on the breed of hamster:
| Species | Weaning |
|---|---|
| Russian Hamster | between 18 and 28 days after birth |
| Syrian Hamster / Golden | between 21 and 35 days after birth |
| Hamster Roborovski | between 20 and 25 days after birth |
| Campbell's Hamster | between 18 and 28 days after birth |
| Chinese Hamster | between 21 and 25 days after birth |