hamster pregnant

Question
Since my hamster has been pregnant, she is on the wheel constantly. Why remove the wheel? Im sorry I did not understand. What types of food should I give her?
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Followup To

Question -
I am not sure what breed my hamster is but she is not a dwarf hamster.

I have a pregnant hanster and I have cedar bedding. Do I need to change?

Also, I have a crittertrail 2 and she is making her nest up there? Is that bad?
Thanks Kelly!

Answer -
Hi Yezenia,

Since your hamster is not a dwarf, she is likely a Syrian hamster (the larger, more common type of hamster - also called "Black Bear," "Golden," and "Teddy Bear").

Yes, you should definitely change bedding as soon as you can.  Cedar beddings, as well as Pine, are dangerous to small animals because they have strong aromatic oils which cause respiratory infections and skin allergies.  Switch to either Aspen or Carefresh.  Clean the cage before you change bedding.  Also, avoid Bed Fluff, which is dangerous to adult hamsters and particularly dangerous to baby hamsters.

I'm assuming you mean she is making her nest in the Petting Zone at the top of the cage.  When you clean the cage and change the bedding, you should block the access to the tubes which lead up to the Petting Zone.  If the baby hamsters were to be born up there, they might fall down the tubes.  You want your hamster to make her nest on the ground level.  She should have her water bottle and food on the ground floor, as well.  (I know Crittertrail 2's water bottle is at the second floor, so you'll probably have to buy a different water bottle.  Buy one with a circular wire which will allow you to stick the water bottle through the wires of the cage.  You'll know what I mean when you see one at the pet store.)

Don't forget to not touch the babies until they are at least 14 days old.  Also, a couple of days before your hamster is due to give birth, remove the wheel.

Have a great weekend!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly

Answer
Hi Yezenia,

That's fine :)  I should have elaborated.

You should remove the wheel a couple of days before your hamster is due to give birth because the wheel poses a hazard to the babies.  They can get hurt on it.  The cage, or at least the main area where the babies will be, should be as simple as possible, just to be on the safe side.

Pregnant hamsters need extra protein. You can give your hamster small bits of scrambled or boiled egg, or some cheese.  (Like any food other than the hamster's regular mix, small pieces a few times a week will do.)

Have a great fourth of July!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly