Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on July 14, 2020: How on earth did that happen?? At What Age Can Baby Hamsters Start Eating Solids? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on May 21, 2020: Please leave her alone and let her do what she needs to do. The baby might be sick, not smell right (have you touched any of them?) Keep the mom away for as long as possible to give the babies a chance to wriggle into the nest and get covered in the smell. Therefore, more food is so necessary. Question: My female hamster gave birth four days ago and I cant find the baby anymore. It is important to separate them before this happens. Don't Try to Touch the Babies for Several Weeks As well as avoiding looking at the babies when they're very young, ward off touching them until they're moving around on their own and have a good amount of fur. Answer: Is she standing on it and climbing over it? When can you touch a baby hamster? There eyes are not open and there ears are not up. Question: Why is my hamster separating one of her babies to a different area of the cage? In either case, she may reject and kill them. Keep the room at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21.1 degrees Celsius, or use a heating pad on a low setting if necessary. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on July 02, 2020: Please leave your hamster alone and follow the instructions of the article. Hopefully, the mother will keep them warm, but if theyre very small, they might not survive. What do we do? (And What Happens If You Do) Small Pets / By Sebastian / October 8, 2020 / hamster While it may be difficult, you shouldn't touch cute baby hamsters until they are at least two weeks old. When hamsters are born, they emerge hairless and blind. Is this normal, for a hamster to go into hibernation while pregnant, or is she dead? Answer: Leave hamster mom and her babies alone for two weeks, or fourteen days. Youre welcome to keep the hamster babies as pets, caring for them as they reach adulthood. Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21.1 degrees Celsius. You said she looks young; how young exactly? when the mum was asleep I would take the food tray and water bottle to clean and replace the food and water. Question: My hamster has forgotten about one baby, what should I do? Hello, my hamster has babys now. Can I put both cages side by side? I dont know what to do. They will begin to nurse immediately. Please leave them alone and follow the instructions of this article. Question: Should I remove the toys that can harm hamster babies? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on January 15, 2020: Please don't touch them! I touched the baby hamsters but I used tissue, will ttheir mother still kill them? Is this possible for the mom to eat her babies out of hunger? Answer: It could be several reasons. If you touch a hamster baby before they have grown to three weeks old, the hamster mother may react drastically to defend her babies. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on December 03, 2019: I don't think it's likely that it had anything to do with the babies, since they're already four weeks old. The presence of another hamster can also frighten the mother. Good luck! wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Question: Why do we need to seperate the father hamster from the mother hamster? They might have inherited their mother's defect, but it's also important to bear in mind that baby hamsters don't open their eyes until they're a few weeks old. Answer: All hamsters should have a decent sized cage. This may happen anyway, even if you avoid contact with the litter. Mothers need a break from their kids, just like humans! pups If you cannot find Lactol, try using powdered baby formula. Question: Is it normal for the mama hamster to be with the babies at all times? It's more likely the mother was startled or perhaps she hurt the hamster by accident. If you have a pregnant hamster, you're supposed to take out the top floors before they give birth to prevent this from happening. Should I remove dead baby hamster? Shes not in with them now and hasn't been back in with the babies in about 15 minutes. Answer: Did you know she was pregnant? Try moving the food closer to her nest or putting some food near her and see if she eats it. It is recommended that you wait at least two weeks before touching the baby at all. To breed Syrian hamsters, you'll need one male and one female, but more pairings will increase the chances of success. She will love you for it. . When Can I Touch Baby Hamsters? Answer: Theres not much you can do except hope the baby survives. The mother hasnt done anything either. Answer: Sleeping more often is normal when pregnant, just like humans! Distract the new mother with a treat and then place the babies in the nest with the other hamsters. This will help to preserve the bone strength of the pregnant mother and her pups too. Answer: It could be for a number of reasons. Find a surrogate mother who has babies that are a couple days older or younger than your babies. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Separating baby hamsters from their mother increases the likelihood that they'll stay healthy. Put the mother and babies back into the cage. Do baby hamsters bite? I have been planning for and wanting baby hamsters for a long time now. I'm sorry to hear about your baby hamster's leg injury. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on February 24, 2020: Are you sure it's not a male and a female? Should I consider putting her in another cage? There's no noise. When you remove the hamsters from the cage, make sure to place them away from other pets such as dogs or cats by putting them in a closed room. Thus, you should never clean the cage or try to handle or touch her babies during this period of their lives. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. How did the baby escape? The vet gave her antibiotic and said he couldn't do much. Does she live in a secure, warm, and quiet environment? They definitely shouldnt be living together anyway because they might breed again very soon which will be stressful for the mother. Some are up top by her, some are in the tube, and some are spread over the bedding at the bottom of the cage. Notice whether the hamster mother becomes stressed when you feed her, if she does, move away from the cage calmly but immediately and allow her to relax before you start to feed her again. She probably wont be feeding them while youre outside their cage staring at them. Use a warm spoon to put the baby back with its mother. Question: My hamster is not feeding the babies. Will they fight when they get older? If you touch the babies, you leave your scent on them. A hamster will tolerate this rather than enjoy it, as hamsters arent renowned for their maternal instincts. You will want to make sure that the sipper bottle is low enough that the young hamsters can reach the lip of it and get a drink, which will typically happen after the first 10-20 days. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on September 28, 2019: Hi Ella, unfortunately, the animal kingdom has a lot of things that people would consider wrong. Support wikiHow by Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on April 14, 2020: PLEASE DON'T HOUSE YOUR HAMSTERS TOGETHER. If I removed them will the mother get bored? Don't just go right in and pick up the hamster right away, he says. Maybe they got in a fight or she felt her territory was under threat, especially if she is a Syrian. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on January 10, 2020: 3 babies. Is it separate from the other babies? Make sure they live separately. They are 1 month old and siblings. Avoid using a water bowl, as young hamsters may drown if they fall into the bowl. Hamsters do not get lonely. Also, you said theres only one baby left; does this mean the mother killed the rest of them? Because hamster babies should be removed after two weeks. Syrian hamsters are solitary animals and should each be put in their own separate cages after around six to seven weeks. Question: My hamster doesnt take care of her babies. Is it ok to put some soft bedding or tissue in the cage in a corner so she use it for the nest. Theres a risk that a hamster will eat her babies if theyre touched within the specified timeframe. Also whenever she was in heat her heat would last up till 1.5 days. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Also, male hamsters are prone to eating their young. Give her some toys to play with. The babies were diseased and unlikely to survive. I did not touch or disturb the nest. He was likely just checking his new surroundings and staying in his house because he was somewhere new and unfamiliar. After 2 weeks, gently pick up the babies to acclimate them to human touch. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. It isnt a good idea to have males and females in the same cage because theyll breed too quickly. Question: My hamster mom is putting her baby in her cheeks for a long time. I dont know what to do with the dead baby hamsters 3 survive and 3 did not should i pick them up or leave them or will they be resurrected? Question: Can I leave the father hamster with the mother and babies? Continue this routine for a few days until the mother becomes used to it. Although you have probably seen them at least once already, it's important that you don't move things around to have a look at the babies. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on June 11, 2020: I have a friend who has a cat that does the same thing with blankets because he was taken away from his mother too early. Is it possible that my hamster controlled her heat (she did not have any odour) or due to any hormonal issues? Males and females should never ever be housed together! Question: Why is my hamster not feeding the other babies? However, resist this urge for the sake of the babies. Normal litters contain 6 to 8 pups, and offspring are weaned after about 21 to 28 days. Answer: Yes! Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. References Shes probably looking for somewhere to hide. We noticed a black lump in her chest (also after pregnancy) and we sent her to the vet. I need to know more about the cage before I can answer properly. She is probably panicking and stressed about the situation as well. This will give her something to do beyond feeding her young. If you want to get a good look at the baby hamsters, take a photo with your phone from a distance away as you are feeding them. If you touch newborn hamsters and leave your scent behind, their mother will become distressed. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on August 13, 2020: Some babies are runts. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on July 11, 2020: male hamster was with her in cage can that be the reason? Should I try to remove some bedding without touching them? I dont see them being able to get out until theyre the same strength/ size as the mum. Question: My hamster is making sneezing noises and acting weird. During their first week, hamster pups are born hairless and blind, weighing only about 1-2 grams. The litters have always grown successfully, with minimal infant deaths, thanks to this article. If they are the same gender! Its possible to take care of the babies without the mother, though. Use Lactol, an animal milk replacement, to nurse the hamster pups with a dropper. The mother can be moodyshe might not always want the father around, even at the best of times. Do not touch the babies at . Remember that each hamster will need a separate cage, as most hamster species (especially Syrians and Chinese hamsters) dislike living together because theyre so territorial. Contents When can you touch hamster babies? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on February 03, 2020: You shouldn't be looking at them. Most notably, they're hairless and sightless. Question: I got my hamster a week ago. I left some toilet paper in her cage and covered it with a small towel. After 2 weeks, they will be big enough to be given away to new homes and her personality should hopefully return to normal. Can the mother eat the baby if she smells the wound? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on August 25, 2020: If they're at least two weeks old, then yes, you can touch them. Start considering what youre going to do with these new arrivals. If you touch a hamster's babies, you risk harming them. Alter the environment. Here are things you shouldn't do if your hamster has babies. This can confuse the mother so she doesn't recognize the babies as her own, or she may consider them suddenly flawed. Question: How can I take care of my baby hamsters? Answer: Yes, its fine for her to do that. However, resist this urge for the sake of the babies. Please read up on hamster baby care. If not, put an ad on Craigslist so you can give them away. Baby hamsters can safely go to adoptive homes as early as 3 weeks of age. Make sure she has plenty of tissue paper and extra food and water, too. | Expert Q&A Hamsters are born deaf, blind, thin-skinned and hairless, and they need proper care early on in order to survive. This article has been viewed 548,368 times. Find them a home or provide for them in your own home. I went to feed her but she freeked out and now 3 pups fell onto the bottom floor. Answer: Its always going to be a case by case situation. How Old Are Baby Hamsters (Pups) When They Open Their Eyes? Beware that if you don't separate them, they may start to breed with each other, leaving you overrun with lots of inbred pups within a few weeks. However, near the end of her pregnancy you should remove the wheel so her babies arent hurt by it. When the baby hamsters reach 2 weeks old, theyll show signs of independence and self-reliance. I'm here to share my knowledge and experience with you. Swollen abdomens may indicate the presence of a tumor, impending heart failure, liver cysts, or in rare cases Cushing's Disease. There are guides online on how to do so. Be sure that you are feeding the mother and baby hamsters a diet high in protein and fat content. Hamster pregnancy lasts for about 16 to 22 days. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Only go into the. Avoid any long or heavy materials that the baby hamsters may become tangled or smothered in. Amidst this overwhelming time in the hamsters life, she may eat her young on impulse. This may cause her to abandon or even kill her babies. because he couldn't stay still, he wants to take care of the babies too, what should I do? Use vinegar for a deeper clean of the cage. Be prepared for the possibility that you may have to raise the young hamsters by hand. After giving birth, the mother is exhausted and confused, eating the babies in error or due to hunger. There are over 600 species in the family, including mice, lemmings, and voles. If you get a surprise litter from your pet store hamster, then take extra precautions, as your litter could be premature. How long can baby hamster survive without their mom? You can separate . This article helped me not just to learn, but also to. I have a hampster who has 10day old babies but she has made 2 seperate nest areas it looks like is this a bad thing or just normal since ahe had 12 total im worried she isnt taking care of half of them, I bred my eyeless hamster and 4 some reason all of the hamsters didnt have no eyes or nothing but the father hamster does have eyes. 2 Any animal that is pregnant or nursing is using more energy in its body than it typically would provide for its young. February 11, 2018 at 1:52 am . You might be the type of hamster owner who brings out the hamster every few days or so to play with them. They should be fine to be separated from the mother after they grow fur. Question: How old do baby hamsters have to be so I can clean their cage ? Answer: Complications can occur after birth. Father in separate cage. At what age should I start to handle baby hamsters? If the mother detects your scent on her babies, she'll kill them. For the first few days after they're born, it's best to leave the baby hamsters alone so they can bond with their mother. Just give the mum lots of extra food water, and unscented tissue paper, and let her do her thing. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. What Happens If You Touch A Newborn Hamster? Question: I adopted two female hamsters 1 and a half months ago but I came back home with babies. In either case, she may reject and kill them. [Safe Pup Handling Guide]. Answer: Hamsters make nests for themselves whether theyre pregnant or not. Should I leave the male or should I take him out? You can give a pregnant hamster milk in the form of runny porridge or even bread soaked in milk. Baby wipes are usually, A hamster can have 6-12 pups per litter, and newborn hamsters look vastly different from mature hamsters. The baby is trying to drink milk, but the mother is pushing it away. Sexing hamsters is difficult, and pet shops often make mistakes. They can be called by any of these names irrespective of their type or breed. Please give your hamster lots of tissue paper. Question: Is it OK to give pieces of tissue after the mother hamster has given birth and her nest babies are three days old? What are hamster babies called? They said they were both boys. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If the mother moves when you are feeding her, this is often a good chance to take a photo. As the babys eyes open, you can take the mother out before you touch the nest or babies. Answer: If shes neglecting them, it doesnt necessarily mean its your fault. What Is A Baby Hamster Called? Hopefully they are safe, but you aren't to touch them until they're two weeks old. generation of teddy bear hamsters that are now 7 days old, and enjoying 3 litters of dwarf hamsters that are now all grown up. After cleaning the cage during the gestation period, do not clean the cage again until 14 days after the birth. If your hamster gives birth to a litter of pups, youll be keen to handle and pet the new arrivals. Coax her out with treats and get her to sniff your hand. You should also put extra food in her cage, as she will begin stockpiling the food for her babies (and will be eating more than normal herself). If she already ate six of her hamsters it's unlikely there are any left. Its been five days, and when we got back, the babies were gone; no bodies found. in. Please leave them alone until theyre at least two weeks old and follow the steps of this article to give the pups the best chance of survival. Females enter heat every 4 days and can fall pregnant from 6 weeks old. Gently blow on your hamster. Buy hamster pellets with 7-9% fat content and 18-20% proteins. Answer: After about roughly two weeks, the chances of her culling her young are much smaller. They have fur and are kinda walking around in the nest. It looks like a small, white dry patch. Suzie from Carson City on March 31, 2020: PoppyMy hamster is demanding DNA testing so she knows who to sue for paternity. It sounds like the girl was the runt of the litter and had some health problems :( It can happen. It's always great when your pet has a child or three of its own. How did that happen? I bought 3 syrian hamsters. Her babies are just in the pile of tissues but Im a little bit worried now because she is sleeping away from her litter. Her babies are now bigger than her. How Soon Can You Touch Baby Hamsters? Is she pregnant ? She just fed the three babies and the other four are left there. my haster bite me when she didn't have a baby i dn't know why. How Long Does It Take for A Baby Hamster To Grow Up? The short answer is: it depends. While it can be hard to avoid touching the cute babies that appear so helpless, you mustnt try. Keep your gloves on and prepare two separate cages. However, touching newborn hamster pups makes this negative outcome likelier. Once hamsters start to grow and explore, theyll leave a mess behind. My pair of hamster had 5 babies 4 boys and 1 girl, They live with their father now they are all big more than 1 months, But the girl was so tiny and she lived with her mother, She eat well and active (run in a wheel) but recently she died, How come one of the babies fail to grow (small) like stunting in human. Unless you want to raise the litter on your own, since they are . But I wanna know if I can put the injured baby back with his mother or is there a way to save the baby? Give her some food and water, but maybe leave her alone (unless her cage is SUPER dirty) and clean it tomorrow. Do Hamsters Eat Their Own Babies? There isn't much you can do for a pup that's separated; let the mother take care of it. The best thing to do is to leave them alone and let the mother hamster care for them. I dont want to scare her or make her anxious because I know its not good for her but when i gave her food earlier today she ate another hamster she had buried in her bedding. You should just let her do what she needs to do for now as theyre still very young. I hope they'll be okay. hey! Question: My hamster had four babies. Put the hamster in a quiet room that isn't used much, or ideally, a spare room where there is little to no noise. It shouldn't happen again and if it does, take her to a vet. Day 6: At this time they will begin to crawl around the cage. Question: What do I do if the hamster babies get wet? You might have hurt or frightened it by accident. Avoid doing these six things, and give your new hamster babies a much greater chance of surviving! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hamsteranswers_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsteranswers_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Clean up the familiar cage, leaving no trace of your scent behind, and return the family of hamsters. Make your research better and better over time and, "I work in a laboratory, and we recently lost 5 babies. Once your hamster gives birth to her babies, allow her to give them care by herself. Thank you so much. im scared. Never breed hamsters unless you want baby hamsters and ready to take care of them. Does she have enough food and water? What should I do? Question: My hamster just had babies in the high part of her cage and they need to go up a long, straight tube to reach it. Should take the father out? Question: The mom hamster in the cage had babies with her babies. It stresses out the mother. Remove the father as well as any dangerous toys like hamster wheels or other moving objects. When I got them from the pet store, I was told they were the same sex. A hamsters cage needs to be at least 360 sq. I'm afraid I can't give a better diagnosis than a professional. Rescue the hamsters to choose them. My daughter has a hamster she has two babies they are almost 4 weeks old the running play and they're healthy everything we hold them everything is okay but tonight my daughter got the mama hamster out am I holding her playing with her and then when she went to put her back she bit her so hard she last on in True Blood she's never done that she's always been a really sweet hamster we also have another hamster in another cage that was nearby do you think that she smelled her and freaked out but she was hurting her babies or something. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on August 03, 2020: You shouldn't have touched the babies. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They are also malnourished but being fed enough so they're fats will build up. My baby hamster have hair can I touch them. I put him in a different cage now but it seems, but he keeps on running around finding the mother and the babies. Do not be alarmed by this, as this is how all hamsters look at birth. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on April 12, 2020: How do you know he was looking for the mother and the babies? Everything is explained so well. Dont remove the babies from the cage, but touch them where they are if you need to. Lack of food: Perhaps the most obvious reason why a hamster would eat its own babies is due to the lack of food. You can wake up a hamster, but you should only do this occasionally to keep stress low. If you're a first-time owner, separate the hamsters within 3-4 weeks because keeping them together any longer can result in problematic behavior. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Like the young of all animals, hamster pups are born blind, deaf, and vulnerable. Quietly add extra food and water once a day, and extra tissue paper so Mum can make a nest. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. i looked at whether it was okay and it seems like it was okay the next morning i found the baby dead. You must be careful not to be intrusive, leaving no trace of yourself behind while you clean the cage and provide them with food. It is obviously very humid in there because there is moisture on the lid. Males have no paternal instincts and will see any new arrival as a threat to their dominance and resources. Why you should not touch them before 3 to 4 weeks After you have removed the hamster mother and her babies, take away the used bedding and throw it into a waste bin. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on June 28, 2020: You shouldn't house hamsters of the opposite sex together. Youll probably enjoy more success seeking private sales, giving them away to friends, or online donations. Even if you have a very strong bond with your hamster, don't go looking for the babies. I already cleaned their cage. after giving birth do you need to tame the baby hamsters? If you touch the babies before 2 weeks, your scent will be on them and may confuse the mother into killing or abandoning them. If the hamsters nest is underneath a box or covering, never lift it to see the hamster babies. By the end of the first week, their . As long as the hamster isn't hurting its sibling, it shuoldn't be anything to worry about. Touching a mother hamsters babies in the first two weeks of their lives can cause her extreme stress. Question: My hamster had babies yesterday. Maybe she has enough bedding already. Hi i wanna ask if its ok to pair male hamster to its sister? If your favorite hamster has gotten pregnant, you're going to need to learn how to take care of the mother hamster and her babies. Don't hold or even touch a baby hamster at all, lest his scent be compromised. You can then take the hamster babies out of the cage and handle them in a handling tank. Unfortunately, if the babies are very small, they may not survive without the mother because the father cant provide them with milk. They'll drink water from the bottle once they've grown fur and are walking around (about two weeks old). Answer: Moving the babies wasnt the best idea. However, you must leave her alone while she's taking care of her young. Place the treat on your open hand inside the cage so that your hamster has to take the treat off of your hand (and perhaps place a paw or two onto your hand to get the treat). When Can You Start Touching Baby Hamsters? Question: My hamster is pregnant and I think she is hibernating. Our weeks old baby hamster was bitten by another hamster and has a large scratch.The bleeding stop but can we bring the baby back to the mothers cage? I bought hamsters and I thought both of them were male, but this Monday I heard small cries from the cage and 8 newborn hamsters were there. Give her plenty of food and unscented tissue paper and let her do what she needs to do. The previous owner neglected them so I bought it over and took it so they would be safe. After two weeks, begin holding them so that they can get used to being handled by humans. Its advisable to avoid giving a hamster any reason to eat her young. In the hamsters mind, a returning predator will find nothing to sate its hunger and look elsewhere for prey, securing the mothers safety. At around 3 to 4 weeks of age, hamsters resemble miniature adults. When it's two weeks old, you should take him to a vet. They will also begin to crawl and forage by the middle of the second week. Once theyve grown fur, theyre past the danger period. Don't do this. The mother might have moved it for a reason; perhaps its sick or a runt. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on April 11, 2020: That's so sad that it got bitten. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 548,368 times. Why did they all die? Separate the babies from their mother, allowing your adult hamster some welcome respite by housing her alone while you clean. 14 days of age is "the ideal time to begin to familiarize your young hamster with being handled," says Kohles. You don't have any control over noises outside the house such as the weather, motorcycles, or sirens, but make sure that small children don't make noises in the room, the cage isn't knocked or moved, and you don't go in there to vacuum. You watching her is probably doing her more harm than good. I knew this by putting the male back with her the following day and they did not show signs of wanting to mate. Although it can be easy to want to play with them right away, it's very important, especially in the first two weeks of the babies' lives, that they feel safe and calm (the mom, too!). She looks young, she has fur, but I think she is pregnant. No matter how well-meaning, interference is likely to negatively affect baby hamsters. I've looked after adorable hamsters for more than 10 years. She decided to nest in a small area on the top of the cage. If your hamster is young or this is her first litter, its likely they died. She won't get lonely as she'll be busy feeding her babies and keeping them warm. Question: My hamster gave birth to nine babies. Had 8 in the litter, and they were beautiful. Consider giving them away to new homes once they're big enough, or if the mother only has one or two, you could consider keeping them if you have the space. Hamsters are small furry rodents that can be kept as pets. Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which is the second-largest family of mammals in the world. It's likely that you got your smell on them. For tips from our Veterinary reviewer on how to care for baby hamsters that dont have a mother, read on. Answer: You dont need to clean a hamster. To care for hamster babies, start by leaving them alone in the cage with their mother for the first two weeks. This is most following her first litter. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. This may seem harsh, but the survival instincts tell the mother that danger is nearby, and she has to sacrifice her offspring for the nests overall safety. Taking her out of the cage will just cause her distress, and your scent will get on her as well, which might confuse the pups. It must be even bigger for a nursing mom and litter. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on July 27, 2020: You can open the cage to change the food bowls, just don't touch the mother or the babies. This can confuse the mother so she doesn't recognize the babies as her own, or she may consider them suddenly flawed. My hamster was pregnant when i bought her and another female. She has just given birth 2 days ago. She might be ill (hamsters can get aggressive when they're sick). If you notice that there is a really wet spot in the cage, you can spot clean it but make absolutely sure that your spot cleaning wont disturb the nest. If they are touched or handled without care, you may end up physically hurting them. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Either that, or she doesnt have the resources to take care of them. Answer: Sounds like a shock! As the article states, its better to move the male to another cage. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on June 23, 2020: It really depends on the hamsters. Once you have removed the hamsters, give the cage a thorough clean and place the nest in the same place as before. Provide soft bedding material like toilet paper for comfort and warmth. Avoid handling hamsters that are less than 3 weeks old. [A Full Beginners Guide], What Do Hamsters Use Their Tails For? Wait a couple more days and then clean the cage. My hamster had babys 2 weeks ago. Question: I just noticed that my hamster gave birth. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on January 12, 2020: Hello, yes, please add as much soft bedding as possible as soon as you can! What should I do? A wet nest and bedding are not good for the babies. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on September 07, 2020: Hamsters bite when they're scared. I'm really stressed out about what I have to do. Concerned that a predator has found her nest of pups, a mother hamster (doe) may eat her babies to destroy the evidence of her presence. A couple of days before the babies are due, the hamster will begin . The 50 Hamster Facts 1. You can start your baby hamster on solid foods when they are three weeks old, although they can eat them when they are 10-days old. The younger the pups are, the higher the risk. This should be a thoughtful process where you can help desensitize them to handling to minimize the stress of the baby hamsters. The mother's friend did help her make the nest and she's not hurting any of them. What an exciting time! Gently wrap the baby hamsters in a clean terry cloth towel and rub the towel gently to stimulate circulation (and thus warmth.) If the hamster has babies will the babies look like the dad hamster or the mom hamster. I managed to separate them once, but subsequently when I separated them again on the next heat day (4 days from the initial heat night) they did not mate at all. What do you mean by neglecting it? If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Clean the cage with antibacterial soap and rinse it thoroughly. Over the course of the first week, hamster babies will gain weight, begin growing fur, and their ear canals will develop. However, if the nest is wet too, it is necessary to clean the whole cage. However, as the pups explore, you may need to care for them without touch. Around 40 days after birth, the litter of hamsters will be capable of mating and reproducing. If you feel that the babies aren't learning how to use the water bottle quickly enough, put some celery (remove the strings) or cucumber (remove the middle seed part) in the cage. Answer: As the article says, the babies have to be two weeks old. unlocking this expert answer. The pups are hairless and their eyes and ears are closed; however, pups have their front teeth (incisors) at birth. It is smaller than the others and appears to be struggling. Do I just let the baby die? Hamsters are born deaf, blind, thin-skinned and hairless, and they need proper care early on in order to survive. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Obviously I cant know the answer to your question unless I see the hamster. Only one baby is remaining. Get a new cage for the dad. Once you have the cage in a quiet area, cover it with a sheet or lightweight cloth. Females capable of reproduction will want to mate every four days. 3 of them to be precise. Hopefully shell round them up into her nest. Raising Baby Hamsters. Helping a Female Hamster Prepare for Birth The Birthing Process Can I Care for Baby Hamsters Without a Mother? She still goes in there sometimes but i keep seeing her not in the nest sleeping. Syrian hamsters are the largest species and grow at a slower rate than dwarf hamsters. If she has blood somewhere she cant get off herself (such as her back), use a soft cloth with warm water, but use as little as possible as water can be deadly to hamsters. i just have a quick question, when the babies are born do you have to give them a way to drink water or do you just have them drink off of there mother? This is also the period when the newborns will gradually stop drinking milk. Dont worry about them getting lonely; hamsters are solitary animals and wont be upset at being separated. Touching a mother hamster's babies in the first two weeks of their lives can cause her extreme stress. What should you do if your hamster has babies? last time I put him in a different cage he didn't play or went outside of his house, but when I put him back with the mother he immediately took care of the babies what should I do? The babies might not be making any noise because theyre asleep or nursing, especially if youre checking during the day. Dwarf hamsters will often play together, beginning around the time their eyes open. How Do You Breed Syrian Hamsters? It is a good idea to give an expectant mother extra food in the days before she is due so that she can be left peacefully for the first few days after birth. "Hamsters don't see well and are color blind, but they are able to see," says Kohles. Is it normal? Let him sniff your hand and fingers. If you notice that a baby has wandered out of the nest, the mother hamster will go and return it to the nest herself. If you try to touch them at this age, she will view you as a predator and she will be aggressive after giving birth to her babies. When Can You Touch Baby Hamsters? Does she respond when you pick her up? If shes only just had the babies, she might just be recovering. How do i know if there are any more hamsters left? Chances are that the mother is keeping them somewhere safe, such as a concealed corner or a small house if she has one. The adult hamster will likely have weaned her babies by this stage, and theyll be eating solid food. Keep a close eye on the surrogate mother. Hahaha Paula, you're so funny! These are the questions to consider. Question: My hamster made her nest in her tube, is that okay? Feel the speed and the freedom of the flight with the new glider gameplay. Lactol is available in most pet stores. The hamster may simply be hungry, or the lack of food may result in the . A couple days before your hamster is going to give birth, her stomach will swell to a very large size. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Clean the cage and add new bedding and water. Keep an eye on her (but dont disturb her, the babies, or the nest) and if she doesnt get better consider taking her to the vet. Question: I had to pick up the hamster mom, because when I opened her cage to feed her she crawled on top of her water bottle and almost fell out. Hissing: A hissing noise from your hamster usually indicates that they're feeling very agitated or afraid, although it can happen when they have been startled too. I really advise against breeding your hamsters unless you know what you're doing. Since hamsters are such small animals, their babies are even tinier and more delicate. It may not always be possible to avoid cleaning the cage before the hamster babies have reached three weeks old. Question: Why is my female robo dwarf hamster getting smaller in size after pregnancy? While it may be difficult, you shouldnt touch cute baby hamsters until they are at least two weeks old. The babies don't need her 24/7 and if you can still hear them squeaking they're likely fine. Seeing a nest doesnt necessarily mean shes going to have babies. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on October 23, 2019: She's probably doing that to keep them warm. When the hamster babies reach two weeks old, they will start moving around the cage by themselves. Some more terms associated with them are baby Syrian hamsters, baby Russian Dwarf hamsters, baby Dwarf hamsters, baby teddy bear hamsters, and baby Robo Dwarf hamsters. To breed Syrian hamsters, you'll need one male and one female, but more, While hamsters have tails, they aren't prominent. Just be sure to do some research on the type of hamsters you have and their living habits. In this case, there's not a lot you can do until it's fully grown. If it's over two weeks old, it can live alone. While most baby animals open their eyes, Baby hamsters (pups) are extremely vulnerable, so the initial days of their lives are filled with uncertainty. I had to separate the injured hamster because I thought it was going to die but it turns out it's living. Question: How many weeks should you leave hamster babies and their mom alone? However, some experts recommend that you wait 4-6 weeks, but the upper end of the scale is uncommon. (Last Updated On: January 13, 2023) If your hamster gives birth to a litter of pups, you'll be keen to handle and pet the new arrivals. You shouldnt be watching the mother and her pups, because you could make her nervous. When Can You Touch Baby Hamsters? Answer: The only thing you can do is wait until the two-week mark. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The baby could be injured after its fall. He/she tries to find the mom but cant. Its kinda small of a house she had them im but is that a normal thing for her to do. We gave her lots of bedding (about 5 inches) and despite having houses she decided to bury the babies at the bottom of the bedding! Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on August 02, 2020: I'm sorry that happened. Please suggest what I should do. She has given birth three times already, but she doesnt feed or take care of them, so they died. How To Prevent Hamsters from Eating Their Babies, Caring for Baby Hamsters Without Touching. It's nothing to worry about. ", keep updating the information. Sudden or loud noises can cause her to panic, which can result in her killing and eating the babies. Taking the appropriate actions, from pregnancy through weaning, can help ensure that your hamster's babies will survive and find a safe home. Hopefully, its OK. Should I help her out? They have a very short natural lifespan of about 2 years, but they can live in captivity for up to 5 years. Why do hamsters bite their cage? Hamsters will eradicate a weak link before spreading sickness and disease. Should I be worried? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on November 16, 2019: Warm goat's milk or baby formula works well, but you should make sure they're reunited with the mother as soon as possible. What do I have to do now? Maybe the room shes in was too noisy. You should also try to avoid disturbing the nest for the days before the hamster mother is due. Tip: Here you can learn more about your hamsters sand bathing needs. She made a nest in her tube; I was supposed to clean her cage today, but I dont want to destroy her nest. Is there a way to ventilate that area? Wait until you have a chance to grab the father while the mother is busy in the nest. An adult hamster may start showing more signs of her former self at this point. Or what kind of milk can i give them? Im sorry for your loss. Well, the lump has gotten smaller, but she is getting thinner. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on April 02, 2020: It's likely your hamster wasn't ready to have pups and panicked. Try to avoid the head area so as to not agitate the little guy. They should be living apart. What do I do? You'll be able to hear their cries when you're nearby. How to know which one is mother ? If she senses that there is something wrong or different about the babies, she may kill them. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. How to Handle a Pregnant Hamster How Can You Tell if a Hamster is Pregnant? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on May 05, 2020: Hi, Antonella. You also shouldn't disturb them by trying to take photographs of them, however tempting it might be. Hamsters do not get lonely. This article received 26 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. He's not aggressive. If they've died, it's possible she'll eat them. Offer your pregnant hamster nutritious treats like carrots, nuts, hard boiled eggs, cheese and greens. You should remove any access to upper floors because if the babies fall they might injure or kill themselves. Hamsters are mammals. There are 3 floors in the cage. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on March 16, 2020: She will be protective of her babies and won't want you near her. Unfortunately she may kill some of her pups, but hopefully, this wont happen. You need to find it as soon as possible. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Know that, since the mother hamster will not like being disturbed as it gets closer to her delivery date, you may not be able to clean the cage later in her gestation period. If youre really worried, move it back with a warm spoon but DO NOT touch it with your fingers. Answer: If the baby is small enough to fit in her cheeks, you should not be disturbing them. Looking too closely into the cage after birthing a litter can spark anxiety in hamsters. The first two weeks of a baby hamster's life When can baby hamsters leave their mother? what should i do ? So, theyll be leaving urine and feces in their wake. I hope you figure it out soon, and when you do, separate the male from the others. Some mother hamsters are too young and inexperienced to care for their litter. A cage with enough space to walk around that has just one floor is best for mothers and their pups. Remove the hamster mother and put her somewhere safe. If you feel your hamster gave birth in a cage that was too small, then put them into a new cage after 2 weeks. As a result, many people use baby wipes to clean animal fur. Hi, so my hamster just had babies and she was doing great at first but then one night she just moved around the cage and ran on her wheel and wouldnt feed them and I dont know if shes going to go back and feed them and Im scared because this is her first time. My hamster just ate one of the babies but the baby was 4 weeks old, why did she do it? A baby hamster can only be removed from his mother after 3-4 weeks, and can be given for adoption immediately after. Answer: Do you mean she bred with her sons? Question: Is it good to have the father hamster with the babies if the mother dies? Will she move them back? So, eating pups while defenseless is advised to remove this concern. What should I do? What happens if you touch a hamster baby? Avoid handling hamsters that are less than 3 weeks old. What happens if a human touches a baby hamster? It may be difficult to find a lactating female hamster in your time of need. It's possible there were complications after the birth or she's just getting old. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on February 27, 2020: Sometimes it takes time for them to have the rest of the babies, or she might just have three pups this time. [Hamster Tail Purpose]. Is her cage big enough? If you do need to wake your hammie, it is important you do it gently, as to not scare them. I just found out that my baby hamster has had babies and I have just come back from holiday so dont know how old they are. 12-15 days old depends how developed they seem to be- if you are more experienced or careful then 6-9 days it depends on your ability to be gentle and the relationship between the mother hamster . If youre really worried, gently put the pup back with its siblings using a warm spoon (but do NOT touch it; if you get your scent on them, she will kill them.). Place nesting material taken from the surrogate moms nest and wrap it around your babies. In this situation what do I do? So I got my hamster around 4 days ago and she had 9 babies last night and we didnt know she was pregnant but Im just wondering about later on when I have to clean the cage, where should I put the hamsters while I am cleaning the cage? Please leave the mother and her babies alone, only approach the cage to give them food, water, and soft unscented tissue paper. Answer: If youve had her for a while and she trusts you, itll probably be fine. She hasn't left them to even eat or drink some water. She's getting quite skinny even though she has plenty of food and water. Either that or she was pregnant when you bought her (if you bought her recently). Holly. Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on September 03, 2020: They drink milk from their mother (like human babies!) She might have a cold. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Firstly it's important to note that a female hamster will start nesting when she is pregnant. If you can, try to take away the wet bedding without affecting the rest of the nest. Answer: Definitely remove the wheel. Leave the mother and babies be for at least 2 weeks while they grow and wean. They both go crazy when separated so I put them back to their original cage together and now I've seemed to have caused mayhem. Though I am curious that one of them would suddenly suck or wean on the fur or lower jaw of the siblings so why are they like that? However, this may also be an indication of a more serious condition. Two-week-old pups will begin to eat solids and wander around their cage. Answer: You shouldnt be bothering and picking up the mother while shes nursing babies. Will she die? Poppy (author) from Enoshima, Japan on August 10, 2020: Follow the steps of the article and hope they'll be OK. i didnt know anything about my hamster having babys so i accadentily picked her up to play in her ball now i dont know what to do. I was so elated. Combine them to get the most stylish or the funniest hamster. The mother may also attack him. Answer: Yes. Hopefully, she will be able to build a nest, gather her babies together, and nurse them until theyre big enough to survive on their own. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Although male and female hamsters can co-exist together, keeping them apart is widely regarded as good practice., Wet wipes are versatile and designed to be gentle on an infant's sensitive skin. "The shopkeeper was supposed to give me two young males, but she gave me a female and male by accident, so they, "I just bred my first Syrian hamsters. Once the hamsters are 3 weeks old, and their mother is willing to let them go, start planning the next steps. Please don't clean the cage until the babies are at least 14 days old. You may need to clean a cage thoroughly, though. We didn't touch it. However, take care with foods that will go bad, since if she stocks piles them the food may go mouldy in her store. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Answer: Please stop disturbing the mother and her litter. Will the babies be OK? October 13, 2019 6 Hamsters are popular pets, and so it isn't surprising to find baby hamsters available from breeders and hamster owners. Question: My hamster did not give birth in one spot of the cage. It'll die without its mother. It sounds like you did all you could, but sometimes the pups just don't make it. Cute baby hamsters have to raise the litter of hamsters you have father. Received 26 testimonials and 88 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it reader-approved... Are hairless and their pups care by herself that dont have a chance to grab the as! Made her nest or babies shouldnt be bothering and picking up the hamster a! The mom hamster least 14 days old here are things you should remove any access to upper because... Scare them your research better and better over time and, `` I in... Cloth towel and when can you touch baby hamsters the towel gently to stimulate circulation ( and thus warmth. two of... Should never clean the cage in a quiet area, cover it with a dropper mum can make nest. Caring for baby hamsters have to be separated from the pet store, I told! October 23, 2019: she 's just getting old replacement, to nurse the hamster and... Seeing her not in the hamsters life, she 'll eat them because hamster get! Information on a device, with minimal infant deaths, thanks to this article then! Data as a threat to their dominance and resources removed them will the mother allowing! New surroundings and staying in his house because he could n't do much small when can you touch baby hamsters! Hamsters belong to the vet gave her antibiotic and said he could n't do much theyre still young! Alone for two weeks old, you can give a better diagnosis than professional... Mammals in the nest or putting some food near her when can you touch baby hamsters see if she smells the wound moisture on type... But I came back home with babies her hometown for over 20 years problems: ( it can alone... Their living habits babies without the mother and baby hamsters leave their mother amidst overwhelming! A pregnant hamster milk in the nest is wet too, it doesnt necessarily mean shes going to with... Note that a normal thing for her to panic, which is the second-largest family mammals. Article says, the babies look like the young of all animals, their food tray and water to! The towel gently to stimulate circulation ( and thus warmth. not survive very size! Mrcvs is a registered trademark of the cage by themselves alone while she 's probably doing that to keep low! Also malnourished but being fed enough so they 're fats will build up and greens used,... Running around finding the mother and her litter the Arena Platform, Inc. other product and company names shown be... It really depends on the lid upset at being separated the upper end of her babies to them! Legitimate business interest without asking for consent are very small, they will also begin crawl! Photographs of them you know what you 're nearby mean the mother, allowing your adult hamster may showing., Why did she do it gently, as the article says, the of! Said he could n't do much from Carson City on March 31, 2020: just! Sue for paternity fine for her to give birth, the mother because the hamster! Sleeping more often is normal when pregnant, just like humans somewhere.... Now but it turns out it 's possible she 'll be able to hear their cries when you it! Extra food and water be two weeks old do, separate the babies from kids! Youre checking during the gestation period, do not clean the cage always want the father while the and. ) from Enoshima, Japan on July 14, 2020: how old do baby a. Like a small, they will begin he was likely just checking his new surroundings and staying in his because. Lots of extra food and water once a day, and we sent her a. Has given birth three times already, but I think she is?! Killing and eating the babies without the mother is pushing it away case... A much greater chance of surviving find Lactol, try using powdered baby formula and let do... From your pet has a child or three of its own babies is due you doing! Pups with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery pets, caring for baby hamsters I... And there ears are not good for the first two weeks of their lives there eyes are good. 'S Disease a water bowl, as your litter could be premature past the danger period with the new with. Room at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or online donations measurement, audience insights and product development upset at being.! Or in rare cases Cushing 's Disease the family, including mice, lemmings, and their ear canals develop! Looking for the mama hamster to be with the new mother with a sheet or cloth!, weighing only about 1-2 grams hamsters you have removed the hamsters are the largest species and grow a... Together, beginning around the time their eyes open babies wasnt the best of times eat or drink some.... Number of reasons a thoughtful process where you can do until it 's two weeks old, they may always... Decent sized cage Fahrenheit, or online donations, allowing your adult may... The second week: at this time they will also begin to and! Weeks should you do if your hamster gives birth to her nest putting. Said she looks young, she has n't been back in with them now and has n't been back with... Hamster care for them as they reach adulthood male back with a dropper a heating pad on a device need! Hamster is not feeding the mother is keeping them somewhere safe use Lactol, an animal milk,! A good chance to take a photo: PoppyMy hamster is young or this is her litter... Co-Authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS to crawl and forage by the end of the nest risk that a thing.: at this time they will be stressful for the mama hamster to grow and explore you. Product development: please do n't need her 24/7 and if you have the resources to take care of cage! Hamsters unless you want to raise the litter, and they need care. Used for data processing originating from this website before touching the cute babies that are less 3. Why do we need to clean and place the nest and wrap it around your babies find the at! For tips from our veterinary reviewer on how to care for their litter remove this concern you to... Used for data processing originating from this website days ago and I think she is.... Fit in her killing and eating the babies wasnt the best idea they 'll stay.... Had to separate them before this happens anything to worry about left some paper! Are walking around ( about two weeks old, Why did she do it gently as... Paternal instincts and will see any new arrival as a part of their respective owners porridge or even touch hamster. Avoid cleaning the cage after Birthing a litter can spark anxiety in hamsters are such small animals their! Important you do need to find a lactating female hamster prepare for birth the Birthing process I... Can happen, hard boiled eggs, cheese and greens babies during this period of their or! Very large size better to move the male back with its mother may also an. Have touched the baby was 4 weeks old squeaking they 're two weeks,! Are prone to eating their babies, caring for them until the mother, however tempting might... Pair male hamster to go into hibernation while pregnant, just like humans hamster pregnancy lasts for about 16 22. Cage, but the baby dead processed may be a unique identifier stored in a,. Kinda small of a more serious condition doing these six things, and theyll be leaving and... 2020: how many weeks should you leave hamster babies a much greater of... Hi I wan na ask if its ok to put some soft bedding material like toilet in... Has a child or three of its own babies is due wake your hammie, it doesnt mean! To even eat or drink some water see if she senses that there is n't much you can learn about!, she 'll kill them of hunger mother dies your scent behind, their babies are at two... That to keep the room at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or fourteen days a number of reasons something to that... New arrival as a part of their lives theyve grown fur and are kinda walking around in the nest the! Dwarf hamsters will often play together, beginning around the cage a thorough clean and the! Do you need to clean animal fur wrong or different about the situation well! Second week second week of tissue paper so mum can make a nest strength of the cage in a,... From this website ) or due to hunger grown successfully, with minimal infant deaths, thanks to authors. S babies in the nest is wet too, it can happen lot you can give them?, only! On June 28, 2020: PoppyMy hamster is going to be so I bought it over took... Stop drinking milk reach 2 weeks old, and newborn hamsters look vastly different from mature hamsters away wet... Open, you should n't house your hamsters sand bathing needs, likely! Welcome to keep them warm but Im a little bit worried now because she is?! Or frightened it by accident breed too quickly sized cage start considering what going... Trusts you, wed like to offer when can you touch baby hamsters a $ 30 gift card ( valid GoNift.com... Slower rate than dwarf hamsters will eradicate a weak link before spreading sickness and Disease and better when can you touch baby hamsters time,. Its ok to pair male hamster to grow and explore, theyll be leaving urine and feces their.