Top Care Tips for Hamster Breeding Season

Important Considerations for Hamster Pregnancy

1. Separate Housing for Male and Female Hamsters

Upon discovering that a female hamster is pregnant, pet owners should immediately separate her from the male. The presence of the male can pose a significant threat to the hamster pups, as he may attempt to eat them. Additionally, it can lead to the female hamster continuously breeding, which can adversely affect her health.

2. Provide Adequate Nutrition for the Pregnant Female Hamster

During pregnancy, the female hamster's food and water requirements increase dramatically. With a relatively large litter size, she needs to distribute her nutrients among multiple pups. Therefore, it's crucial for pet owners to ensure that the pregnant female receives a rich supply of nutrients. Goodnatured females often gather food proactively during pregnancy to prepare for the pups' arrival. Given the strenuous nature of giving birth, especially to a large litter, it's essential to support the female hamster with ample nutrition. This can include feeding her a mix of mealworms, nutritional paste, nutritional water, and dried fish to supplement her diet.

3. Maintain a Quiet Living Environment for the Pregnant Hamster

Pregnant female hamsters are more sensitive than usual and can become highly stressed by changes in their surroundings. Prolonged stress can weaken their health and prevent them from providing adequate nutrition to the pups. Therefore, pet owners should keep the hamster's cage in a quiet location and, if necessary, cover the cage with breathable cotton fabric to help soothe her nerves and promote a calm pregnancy. Additionally, placing more soft materials like cotton and tissues in the cage can assist the female in nestbuilding.

4. Avoid Changing the Hamster's Living Environment Suddenly

Before the pups are a month old, pet owners should avoid changing the cage bedding or rearranging the cage items. Such changes can startle the mother and lead to her reluctance to nurse the pups or, in extreme cases, to eating them.

These are just some examples of the important considerations for hamster pregnancy provided by Oxygen Pet Doctor. There are many more aspects to consider when caring for hamsters. Follow Oxygen Pet Doctor for more tips and techniques on hamster care.