Syrian hamster pregnancies can be tricky to detect, as pregnant hamsters often don’t display overt symptoms immediately. Fortunately, some tell-tale signs can help you keep an eye on your furry friend’s health.
If your Syrian hamster is pregnant, the nipples will swell and become more noticeable, and your hamster’s belly will grow larger, mostly extending to the sides. She may also become more aggressive and territorial, nesting and hoarding food in her cage.
To properly tell if a Syrian hamster is pregnant, you should first understand the estrous cycle of a Syrian hamster. In this article, I will discuss the estrous cycle, the signs and symptoms of a pregnant Syrian hamster, and how long the pregnancy lasts.
What Does a Pregnant Syrian Hamster Look Like?
When a Syrian hamster becomes pregnant, you may see physical changes in its appearance. Once your hamster is about 10 days into her pregnancy, you should be able to tell if she’s expecting. As the pregnancy progresses, your furry friend’s body will swell and expand as her babies grow.
Here are some signs that your Syrian hamster is pregnant:
Visibly Swollen Belly
A pregnant Syrian hamster’s abdomen should become noticeably swollen as the babies grow. The swelling should start to become visible after 10 days of pregnancy. You may also feel the babies moving around inside her belly.
Weight Gain
Your Syrian hamster should gain around 10-15% of her normal body weight during pregnancy due to the growing babies. This weight gain should be visible and noticeable when you pick up the hamster. The hamster’s fur may also look unkempt due to the increased body size and difficulty grooming.
Increased Appetite
A pregnant Syrian hamster will also have an increased appetite. She’ll need more food to nourish herself and her unborn pups. Ensure you always have plenty of food and water, and check that it is fresh and free from mold.
Nesting Behavior
If your hamster is pregnant, you may also notice that she will display more nesting behavior. She’ll gather bedding materials and collect food items to store in her nest to prepare for the arrival of her pups. You may even see her gathering materials from outside of her cage.
Swollen Nipples
Your Syrian hamster’s nipples will become enlarged and more visible when she is pregnant. This swelling should start to be noticeable after a few days, and the nipples should remain swollen until she has given birth. The nipples are preparing for lactation.
Aggressive Behavior
Your Syrian hamster may also become more aggressive and territorial as her pregnancy progresses. This is due to hormone changes and increased maternal instinct. You may also notice that she is more reluctant to be handled and starts spending more time alone in her cage.
Changes in Activity
A pregnant Syrian hamster may also become less active and sleep more than usual. This is normal during pregnancy, as the body uses more energy to support the growing pups. Monitor your hamster’s activity levels and ensure she still eats and drinks regularly.
How Long Does a Syrian Hamster Stay Pregnant?
A Syrian hamster stays pregnant for about 16-18 days. After this time, she should give birth to a litter of 5-9 pups per litter. During pregnancy, give your hamster plenty of space and nesting materials, such as shredded paper or pieces of cloth.
After birth, the pups are naked and blind, but the hair will grow in a few days. They should be weaned after 19-21 days, and they’ll be ready to go to their new homes. The pups will reach full maturity at around 5-8 weeks old.
What Should You Feed a Pregnant Syrian Hamster?
You might probably notice your hamster is pregnant when it’s almost time to give birth. But you can still boost its nutrition during pregnancy. A healthy diet should include plenty of fresh vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, and kale.
You can also give your hamster some seeds, nuts, and grains. The food should not be so rich, which can make the pups in the belly grow too quickly. A pregnant hamster should also have enough fiber in her diet, which helps digestion and prevents constipation.
Pregnant hamsters should also have access to plenty of water to stay hydrated. You can even give your hamster a special treat like a banana or apples (make sure to cut them into small pieces).
When your hamster is pregnant, it needs extra nutrition. If you feed your hamster the wrong food, it will lead to malnutrition and harm the pups.
Can You Play With a Pregnant Hamster?
You may be tempted to give your Syrian hamster plenty of attention during her pregnancy, but resist the urge. While a pregnant hamster usually won’t mind being handled, you should keep her stress levels low as much as possible.
Avoid sudden movements or loud noises, and do not handle her too often. If you handle your hamster, do it gently and avoid squeezing or putting pressure on her abdomen. Not only is this the best way to ensure your hamster’s comfort, but it will also help you avoid accidentally harming any babies.
The same goes for playing with her. Leave this activity until after she gives birth. During the pregnancy, you should provide a secure and comfortable environment for your hamster and let her relax.
Should You Separate Your Pregnant Hamster?
You should separate your pregnant hamster so it can rest and prepare for motherhood. It is a good idea to separate the female from any other hamsters in the cage and any potential mates.
This will help reduce stress and ensure she gets all the nutrition she needs to deliver healthy babies. Put your expectant mother in a cage by herself, and ensure it has plenty of nesting material and bedding. Keeping the cage clean is also important in preventing disease.
The Estrous Cycle in Syrian Hamsters
The estrous cycle in Syrian hamsters is a process that occurs every 4-5 days. During this period, the female will display her willingness to mate. This is otherwise known as being “in heat.”
It usually lasts 12-48 hours and can be characterized by the female hamster becoming more active and vocal than usual. To determine if a female Syrian hamster is pregnant, you should understand the estrous cycle.
After mating, the female hamster will enter a gestation period of approximately 16-18 days. During this time, her behavior will change as she becomes less active and more possessive of her nest.
How Often Can a Syrian Hamster Get Pregnant?
A female Syrian hamster can become pregnant every four weeks (up to seven times per year) if she is not separated from the male hamster. Keep a close eye on your hamster and monitor her behavior closely, as she can become pregnant quickly and unexpectedly.
Scientists do not recommend a Syrian hamster having more than three litters in her lifetime because of the strain it puts on her body.
Final Thoughts
The best way to tell if a Syrian hamster is pregnant is to watch for signs such as weight gain and an enlarged abdomen and monitor her behavior closely. Understanding the estrous cycle and paying attention to when she mates will help determine if your hamster is pregnant.
Provide her with plenty of nutrition and a safe, comfortable environment while she’s expecting. Don’t forget to separate your hamster from potential mates and provide her with plenty of nesting material.