My dwarf hamster just had babies(3days old now) and I am using pine bedding which I here can be harmful. I know i can't touch the babies, but what should I do?
2007-09-06 15:30:31 · 10 answers · asked by Naomi G 1 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Whatever you do, DO NOT change their bedding for at least 10 days from birth. Don't worry that the cage is a little messy, she will be OK for another week. Do not listen to anyone who says leave it a day or two then scoop them up. If you try and handle the babies before this time, or even just put your hand in the cage, there is a high probability of the mum cannibalising the young as she will either be scared, or you will make the babies smell like you not her so she will not recognise them. If she gets scared she will stuff the babies into her cheek pouches, which can end up in them suffocating, so it really is best to keep away. At 10 days, it will be OK to give them a quick clean out. You should also start handling the young at this time so they are friendly to go to their new homes. Rub clean hands in their sawdust first so you smell like the cage that way you minimise the risk of scaring mum and young. There are lots of websites dedicated to breeding dwarf hammies, just do a web search for "breeding dwarf hamsters" and there should be plenty to answer any more questions you have. Oh and pine sawdust is not harmful, it is the cedar ones you have to worry about. For their actual bedding where they sleep, use shredded tissue or toilet paper. I bred and kept hamsters for years with no problems using woodshavings from my local pet store. Good luck with the babies!
2007-09-06 20:47:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try this: Find a small box, bowl, or container that is big enough to put over top of mom and babies to hold them still. Cover them up, and scoop out all the bedding outside of their area. Then replace it with the new bedding and uncover the hamsters. Leave the bedding they're lying in alone. Moms usually move their pups from place to place, so just wait until she picks a new spot (if you make her a nice little nesting box she might be more tempted to move- you can get paper nesting material from a petstore, and get a small box, or a little wood or plastic hiding place from the store and put it in a corner for her). Once she abandons the spot with the last bit of pine, you can scoop that part out too and replace it.
2007-09-06 15:47:56 · answer #2 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can not touch or move the babies or they will eat them or not take care of them!! You need to look online about hamster care , look it up to be sure and safe if you want them to survive !! I'm sure if you search online you can find something about taking care of newborn baby hamsters!!! good luck !! don't move them until you find out something for sure !! I don't think the pine bedding will harm them !! I've had hamsters before and dwarfs too, i used pine for them, look on the bag you have of it, doesn't it say its for hamsters??!!
2007-09-06 15:39:10 · answer #3 · answered by monkeymomma46 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would wait at least 72 hours before touching or moving the babies, and when you do handle them try not to touch them directly if you can help it. I scoop up a little of the bedding as I scoop them into my hand from their "nest". Also, pine bedding has aromatic oils that can be harmful, not nearly as bad as cedar, but it would better to change to low aromatic shavings, or CareFresh which is a paper bedding. If you are afraid to touch the pups at all, you could scoop them up gently using a large cooking spoon.
2007-09-06 15:55:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
when the mummy hamster is nursing the babies, gentle scope out all the area except the nesting area with as little noise as possible.
just curious: why are you using pine bedding in the 1st place when you know it can be harmful?
2007-09-06 17:43:25 · answer #5 · answered by ジャンリン 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i does no longer reccomend the timber shaving form bedding. in case you pass to large Pets, or Petsmart, or perhaps Wal-Mart, there's a form of fluffy bedding it is obtainable in a clean %. with a green front. I forgot the call of it, besides the fact that that's available in specific assorted colorations. i've got confidence that that's terrific for hamsters, and all of my hamsters look to delight in this form greater advantageous.
2016-10-10 02:42:21 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some soft bedding in for the mum to put in her nest. she will use it.
Dont touch or pick them up till their eyes are open. and 1st time you do handle mum 1st and then the babies, I always do that with my baby rabbits.
once their eyes are open and out of nest you can change the bedding.
2007-09-07 00:26:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-01 02:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by hsiu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me, only change half of the bedding. The mother will get very excited for awhile, just to prepare you.. Only change minimal, as the mother will suspect. And never touch the babies or else the mother will eat them.
Good Luck :)
Sabby
2007-09-06 18:25:24 · answer #9 · answered by Sabby 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't thing u can change their bedding now cause i tried that before then the mother juz eat up her baby!So dont try that!
2007-09-06 18:50:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋