De-stressing A First Time Mommy Hammy

Unless you have been constantly observing your hammy, it always comes as a surprise when a hamster would give birth. With the normal period of gestation of 18-21 days, hamsters would show signs that they are on their way to motherhood. However, the bulging tummy would only pop out around 7-4 days prior to giving birth.

Most first time mommies would give birth to a small litter but there are still a few cases that first time mom hamsters has given birth to a big litter. Understandably, since this is their first time to have small babies on their own, these hamsters are stressed out. The worst scenario for a mother hamster getting stressed is eating its own baby.

How do you avoid this casualty from happening. Here are some tips in de-stressing a first time mother hamster.

a. Give privacy to your hamster. After giving birth, mother hamsters tend to be protective of its litter, hence, avoid staring at your hamster for long periods of time. Having you around might come as a threat to your hamster that you might take its litter.

b. More privacy can be observed by placing your hamster in an opaque enclosure. This would keep your hamster from watching all its surrounding. A bin with a solid color would free your hamster from seeing the outer world.

c. Before your mother hamster would have given birth, it is also a wise idea to place her in a clean enclosure, big enough for a big litter. Always assume that your hamster will have many babies so you can give ample space for them. Hamster instincts about space and food supply are the main reason for mothers eating their pups. Make sure that your mother-to-be is assured of a wide space for her litter to roam around and enough food supply. If the mother feels that space and food are not enough for everyone, then she will eat the weakest pups to give better chances for the others to survive.

d. Lastly, there are hamsters who are naturally not a mother material. They will always chew on their pups even if you have given the best amenities in their enclosure. If this is detected then better not let your hamster have another set of pups. Hamsters of this kind will never be responsible in taking care of their pups.