To determine if a hamster is pregnant, you can comprehensively judge by observing changes in its behavior, physical characteristics, and conducting medical examinations. Below are specific methods for identification:
I. Behavioral Changes
Decreased Activity Level: Pregnant hamsters become more lethargic, with a noticeable reduction in activity. They may prefer to curl up in corners or their nests to rest, minimizing unnecessary movement.
Food Hoarding Behavior: Hamsters naturally have a habit of hoarding food, but pregnant hamsters may become more active in storing food to prepare for their upcoming offspring. They may carry food in their cheek pouches and bring it back to their nests.
Increased Aggressiveness: Pregnant hamsters may become more aggressive, especially when other hamsters or humans approach their nests. This is to protect the unborn pups from disturbance or harm.
Frequent Water Intake: Pregnant hamsters may drink water more frequently due to increased bodily needs. This is a normal physiological phenomenon, but it is still important to ensure clean and sufficient water supply.
II. Physical Characteristic Changes
Body Shape Changes: A pregnant hamster’s abdomen will gradually swell, making its body appear rounder. This is one of the most intuitive ways to judge pregnancy. As the gestation period progresses, the abdominal swelling will become more obvious.
Weight Gain: Pregnant hamsters will gradually gain weight. You can use an electronic scale to weigh the hamster regularly and check for a significant increase. Generally, a pregnant hamster’s weight will increase by approximately 10% to 20%.
Prominent Nipples: A pregnant hamster’s nipples will become more visible, especially those near the abdomen. This is to prepare for nursing the pups after birth.
Cautious Movement: Pregnant hamsters will move more cautiously, avoiding strenuous exercise or jumping to prevent harm to the unborn pups.
III. Medical Examinations
Professional Veterinary Check-Up: If you are unsure whether a hamster is pregnant, you can take it to a pet hospital for a professional examination. Veterinarians can confirm pregnancy through methods such as palpation (feeling the abdomen) and ultrasound.
X-Ray Examination: In some cases, veterinarians may recommend an X-ray to confirm a hamster’s pregnancy. X-rays can clearly show the number of pups and their developmental status inside the hamster’s body. However, it is important to note that X-rays carry a certain radiation risk for hamsters, so this method should be used with caution.
IV. Other Auxiliary Judgment Methods
Observing Nest-Building Behavior: Pregnant hamsters may start building nests to prepare a comfortable living environment for their upcoming pups. They may use materials like wood shavings and paper scraps to construct the nests.
Monitoring Dietary Changes: Pregnant hamsters may experience changes in their food preferences, such as developing a stronger liking for certain foods or increasing their food intake. You can observe the hamster’s eating habits to check for obvious changes.