Quick answer: Small pet pregnancies range from about 16 days in hamsters to about 111 days in chinchillas. Rabbits carry for about 31 days, ferrets about 41 and guinea pigs about 68. Short pregnancies produce bigger litters of helpless babies, while long ones produce a few well-developed young.
How long are small pets pregnant?
It depends far more on the species than on body size. A hamster is pregnant for just over two weeks, while a chinchilla of a similar size carries for almost four months. The table below shows the average, the normal range and the usual litter for each pet.
| Pet | Average | Normal range | Usual litter | Due date tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamster | 16 days | 15 to 18 days | 6 to 8 pups | Hamster gestation |
| Rabbit | 31 days | 31 to 33 days | 4 to 12 kits | Rabbit calculator |
| Ferret | 41 days | 39 to 42 days | About 8 kits (1 to 18) | Ferret gestation |
| Guinea pig | 68 days | 59 to 72 days | 2 to 4 pups | Guinea pig gestation |
| Chinchilla | 111 days | 105 to 118 days | About 2 kits (1 to 6) | Chinchilla gestation |
Why are some small pet pregnancies so much longer?
It comes down to how ready the babies are at birth. Rabbits, hamsters and ferrets have short pregnancies and give birth to helpless young that are hairless or nearly so, with their eyes shut. Guinea pigs and chinchillas carry much longer, and their babies arrive furred, with open eyes, and nibble solid food within days.
This changes what you need to do. Helpless babies depend on a warm nest and their mother’s milk for weeks. Babies born ready need a safe, roomy cage and easy-to-reach food and water from day one.
Can small pets get pregnant again right after giving birth?
Some can. A guinea pig can get pregnant again right after giving birth, a rabbit about a day after kindling, and a winter white dwarf hamster straight away too. If the male stays in the cage, she can be pregnant again before the first litter is weaned. Separate the male before the due date to give her time to recover.
What should you watch for in each pet?
Each species has its own risk. These are the ones owners most often miss:
- Guinea pigs: a first litter is safest before she is 7 months old. After that, birth can get much harder. See the guinea pig gestation guide.
- Ferrets: an unspayed female who stays in heat for a long time without mating can become seriously ill. The ferret gestation guide explains why.
- Hamsters: disturbing the nest in the first week can cause the mother to abandon or harm her pups. Details are in the hamster gestation guide.
- Rabbits: she needs a nest box a few days before kindling, and a late litter is a reason to call the vet. Use the rabbit gestation calculator to find those dates.
- Chinchillas: the long pregnancy is easy to miss, so weigh her weekly if she has been with a male. The chinchilla gestation guide covers the signs.
How do you know if a small pet is pregnant?
Weight gain is the most useful sign in small pets. Weigh her on a kitchen scale once a week at the same time of day. A steady rise over two or three weeks, along with a rounder belly and a bigger appetite, points to pregnancy. A vet who treats exotic pets can confirm it by feel or ultrasound.
The Merck Veterinary Manual has a reference table of small mammal data, including gestation and litter size.
Frequently asked questions
What should a pregnant small pet eat?
Her normal diet, with a little more of it and fresh water at all times. Guinea pigs also need daily vitamin C. Ask an exotic pet vet before adding any supplement.
Is it safe to pick up a pregnant small pet?
Handle her as little as you can, especially late on. If you must lift her, support her whole body and belly with both hands and keep her low to the ground.
Should I take the male out before she gives birth?
Yes. Guinea pigs, rabbits and some dwarf hamsters can get pregnant again almost as soon as they give birth. Move the male to his own cage before the due date.
Which small pets are born with fur?
Guinea pigs and chinchillas. Their babies are born furred with eyes open. Rabbit, hamster and ferret babies are born with little or no fur and closed eyes.
Can two females in a cage both get pregnant?
Only if a male has been with them. Females kept on their own cannot get pregnant, but some, such as rabbits, can show signs of a false pregnancy.
Do small pets need a vet during pregnancy?
A check-up with an exotic pet vet is a good idea, especially for a first litter or an older female. Call right away if she stops eating, strains without babies or bleeds heavily.