My hamster just had babies! I do not know what to do! can some one help me! I already took the dad out so they don't have anymore babies and I haven't and I WILL NOT touch the babies...I mean I no some of the basics but still some one help me! I am scared like what if she eats them and accidentally leave them alone and then they will die!
P.S. No rude comments..I really don't know what you are doing
2006-09-19 07:34:58 · 10 answers · asked by Some one Special 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
For the most part, mother hamsters do a superb job of caring for their young. Sometimes, though, there are things you can do to help her along. Below is a list of things you can do after her litter has been born.
Days 1 - 7: Leave the cage completely alone. Don't bother the mother. Only get in the cage to change food and water.
Day 8: Cut up tiny pieces of apple (or carrot) and put them in the nest with the pups. It's very funny to watch them eat the pieces! These foods will help keep the babies from becoming dehydrated, which is crucial when they are this age.
Day 9: Offer mom snacks and let her have a break from motherhood. Take her out of the cage and hold her for a few minutes or let her run around in a ball.
Day 10: As with Day 8, offer the babies more soft fruit pieces.
Day 11: Lower the water bottle to 1/2" - 3/4" from the bedding so the babies can reach it.
Day 12 - 14: Continue to offer very small amounts of apple and carrot, but do so sparingly. Around the 12th, be sure to always have plenty of their regular diet (seeds and pellets) available because the babies will start to eat this. Also, let the mother have some alone time by handling her or putting her in her ball.
Day 15 - 18: Make sure the babies are eating the regular seed/pellet diet, just like the mother. Watch to make sure they have found the water bottle and know how to drink from it.
dont touch them for the first 2weeks!!!
good luck
2006-09-19 12:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't to anything, just make sure mom has lots of water. When the babies start eating hamster food instead of nursing, try to get other people to take them so they do not continue to breed. If the parents eat them there is not really much you can do but be grossed out and try to get them all separated & adopted to prevent further breeding. Once they get a taste for the baby blood that never goes away, trust me, I had a very difficult time with this years ago.
2006-09-19 14:44:53 · answer #2 · answered by Chloe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I heard that touching the babies does not cause the mother to eat them. Usually, it is the lack of space or inbreeding that causes such behavior.
I would think the mother should do fine with the babies. If she does kill them, there isn't much you could do about it. I am sure there is a way to hand raise them yourself. Maybe a pet shop could lead you hamster formulas. However, this is a great under taking!
If she has not eaten them within the 1st 72 hours, I would imagine that she has accepted them in her tiny abode. Give her extra food and water to help her make plenty of milk.
Good Luck and Take Care
2006-09-19 14:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by escapingmars 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do NOT touch them. Let the mother do her job. Make sure she has plenty of food and water. Hamsters are cannibalistic and if she feels that her babies don't have enough food or water for them all to survive, she will eat some of the babies. If the mother trusts you, she may let you touch them in the next couple of weeks. You should wait until they have hair if this is her first litter.
2006-09-19 14:51:52 · answer #4 · answered by A Fire Inside 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just let them be with the mother for a few weeks. Feed her a very little piece of cheese every day whle she's nursing. Don't disturb them or move them, the mom will get frantic and may end up killing them. Remove any wheels if you can, because they can get hurt on them. When they're eyes are open, and they seem old enough, get rid of them. The males are able to start breeding I think about 6 weeks and will go after the mother. Around that time, if you still haven't gotten rid of them, try to sex them and separate them-but it's very hard to sex them. We misjudged one, and ended up with another litter. So, strongly recommend finding a mom and pop pet store that will take them when they're old enough.
2006-09-19 14:49:00 · answer #5 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first.. it's good that you took the dad out of the cage... second don't touch the babies this can cause the mother to eat them... third she should be able to look after them... try putting a little house in the cage so she can move them and hide them... just keep an eye open that they are getting bigger...
2006-09-19 14:45:10 · answer #6 · answered by sharessa@rogers.com 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should be fine however look at them and see if there is one tht is smaller than the rest. If there is then you need to remove him and take him to a vet. The other babies will eat the runt. If they all look the same size, then everything should be okay, but keep your eye on them. If one looks like it's not getting as much to eat as the others, then remove him and take him to the vet.
2006-09-19 14:44:37 · answer #7 · answered by jdecorse25 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if u really care 4 them u should touch them
or sell them or take the mom out if ur scared thes gunna eat them
2006-09-19 16:45:46 · answer #8 · answered by ~^~ M.Lay ~^~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let them grow up to be about 3 weeks and sell them.
2006-09-19 14:43:32 · answer #9 · answered by G. B. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recomemnd eating the babies untill they are all gone
2006-09-19 16:24:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋