Signs a Hamster Is About to Give Birth, and What to Prepare

1 Signs of Impending Labor

A hamster’s gestation is only about 15-20 days. Watch for these signs before delivery:

1. Increased Water Intake

About 2-3 days before delivery, a hamster starts drinking more. Check the water bottle; if the level drops quickly and there is no leak, it is likely about to give birth.

2. More Urine

With more drinking comes more urine. The weight of the litter also causes the uterus to droop and press on the bladder, prompting frequent urination. If your hamster urinates in a fixed spot, you may notice it squatting there often.

3. Enlarged Body

Before birth the babies are fully formed. Though each is only peanut-sized, a litter can be 4-12, taking up a lot of room, so the mother’s size changes noticeably.

4. Contractions

As the babies develop, they become active and jostle each other in the womb, keeping the mother from sleeping and causing full-body twitches of contraction pain.

5. Nesting Behavior

A few hours before delivery, the hamster wanders the cage, measuring the space with its body to avoid crowding the babies after birth.

6. Genital Licking

Just before birth, a little bloody discharge appears. The hamster licks its genitals to clean itself and soothe the pain.

7. Swollen Nipples

In late pregnancy nipples swell noticeably; just before delivery a little milk may leak. Prepare for birth at this point.

2 What to Prepare Before Delivery

Clean the cage and replace the bedding. Provide medical-grade absorbent cotton, or torn strips of tissue paper as a substitute; the hamster will gather these to build a nest and deliver more comfortably.

Provide plenty of food and water, dim the lighting around the cage but keep air flowing, and keep things quiet so the hamster can labor in peace.

A hamster normally handles the whole birth itself, so do not disturb it, or it may be frightened.

Once the babies are born, avoid touching them so your scent does not make the mother suspect them and harm them.