Is my new hamster pregnant?

Bluefeather

Hi there!
I have just joined this forum and would really appreciate some advice. I bought a hamster for my daughter yesterday to replace an elderly one that recently died. She's a Golden type and very big. I've watched her on and off and wonder if she's heavily pregnant. Apart from being very large (especially around the middle), I've noticed a bit of missing fur either side of her hips. Her 'bottom end' appears rather large too. In fact, at first glance you'd think her to be male. She's spent a bit of time on her back (which I never saw my old hamster do) and when she sat in the middle of her cage she looked as though she could literally roll over (because of her large pear shape)!
She's 12 weeks old and seems to be otherwise healthy. (She's eating, drinking/has bright eyes, etc)
Is there any tell-tale signs I can watch out for? I read somewhere that they develop teets but I don't want to disturb her too much while she's settling into her new environment.
thanks in advance.

shadylady

the missing hair on either side of her hips is probably her/his scent glands, maybe it is a male cus i presuming the hamster was in its own cage/enclosure in the petshop as he/shes 12 weeks. did the petshop tell you what it was.. and if your hamster is pregnant the gestation period is only 2 weeks so you will have babies fairly soon.. so the best thing to do is wait as its not very long.. do you have a pic of him/her post it on here and then im sure i can tell you what sex it is.. but a full body pic as in males the rear is more elongated.. and the females rear is more round.

and your right in saying the nipples become more visable and in general, you dont really know until the very end of a pregnancy as they become quite big but if the litter is small you wont notice..
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Twig

Hi, sounds like if shes preggie, she'll be giving birth pretty soon I'd guess within the next 24-48hrs, poor girl! Sad

Shes still only a baby herself! You'll want to start feeding her protein foods daily, lactol is a type of puppymilk you can buy at most petstores and you dilute it with twice as much water and can soak some oats or bread in it so it can't spill and pups can't drown. Hard boiled egg and cooked chicken can also be fed. She will need these daily. Wink

Keep her somewhere quiet and don't touch the babies until they are 14 days old at least as mum will kill them if she smells your scent on them, also, as shes such a young mum in a new environment, don't be surprised if she does eat them. If she doesn't have the strenght, mentally or physically, or detects something wrong with them (which is common in inbred animals, and assuming the dad is also her brother) she may well destroy them.

They can have upto 24 pups in a litter, but 8-12 is normal, so you'll want to start looking for homes now. Don't let them go for free or the owners may see them as disposable pets and be neglectful, charge a small fee, like £5 and include a caresheet by printing off some info such as proper feeding and housing to give to the new owners. Wink

Good luck!

GerbilPunk

oh, best of luck with the babies Very Happy

please show us some pics when/if they are born Smile

where did you get her from?
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Only this crazy guy can understand the true joys in playing with washing...

RIP my little Retro. Run free at rainbow bridge http://www.youtube.com

jenvetnurse

she may just be very fat!

as many hamsters are!

If no babies soon then this is probaly the case - if so go easy with her food + try to get her out to exercise daily.

Laughing

GerbilPunk

how fat should a hamster be exactly? Confused

I am looking after my friends hamster chester, and he is about 2-3 months old. When i pick him up, i cant get his enitre stomach around my hand Confused

I've come to three conclusions... either my hands are small for my age, he is fat, or i am so used to Bruce that he seems fat Confused

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Only this crazy guy can understand the true joys in playing with washing...

RIP my little Retro. Run free at rainbow bridge http://www.youtube.com