MY SITUATION :
My hamster just gave birth to 5 cute babies.
But the mother just ate up one and when I realised, I actually heard the cries from the hamster that's gonna be eaten.. I really feel very sad about it.. A life is taken just infront of my eyes.. My hamster just gave birth 4 days ago.. What should I feed the mother inorder to give her more protein? Please help! I really need help on what should I give the mother to eat so she'll stop eating the babies! And, does she even know that's her own baby? =/
2007-10-07 04:59:00 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
hamsters eat their babies when they sense something wrong, did u touch them? your scent on the hamster would make her think that they are not hers, hence she eats them, she doesn't eat them because she is hungry, but if u want her to be happy, give her, her favorite treats or some bread, she does know its her own baby, but some mothers just do this
at this time u can NOT seperate them, they need the mother to take care of them, also u can't clean the cage yet because they need to be alone for awhile
heres some help to deal with your little babbies!:
http://hamster-heaven.com/breeding_02.html
http://www.hamsterific.com/BreedingSyrians.cfm
2007-10-07 05:05:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hamster mothers need to be placed away from everything. Darkness even helps, just go there to feed and water and leave her and the babies alone.
The mother is afraid that you will take them from her. There are a few other animals that do that too. Hedge Hogs will do the same thing.
Until they grow enough to get their hair and needles there is you can do but stay away and keep everyone away.
2007-10-07 05:58:58 · answer #2 · answered by STEVEN P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many reasons why she could be doing this such as she didn't have sufficient food to provide her with the milk to take care of her young and so will kill the weakest of the babies or even if some of her younger were malformed or ill. The babies should definitely be removed and here is a site that can help you out! http://www.hamsterific.com/IllnessGuide.cfm#Cannibalism
2007-10-07 05:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't separate them like someone else said. They need to nurse and they will all die if you do that. Everyone else is right, sometimes they do that if something is wrong with the baby and they won't survive anyway. Just leave them alone and give her plenty of food and water. Once the babies are a little older and become more independant then you can start touching them so they become tame. good luck
2007-10-07 05:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by goodrad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this happened to our hamster several years ago. it's usually a first time mother hamster that eats her babies, she gets overwhelmed and doesn't know how to cope. but even experienced mother hamsters will eat their babies if stressed & do not have a quiet & private nest for them. our hamster ended up eating all her babies except one.she allowed that baby to live and grow up. the best thing to do is to place the cage in a quiet room & hope for the best.
2007-10-07 05:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by itsjustme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother also may be ill, besides lack of food there are several deceases and conditions which may cause this behavior. What she's doing is killing off and eating the weakest pups to provide milk for the others.
http://www.hamsterific.com/IllnessGuide.cfm
2007-10-07 05:08:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be hungry if so feed her
She could not like the baby she could have felt like she could not take care of it
all so if there is something wrong with the baby she would eat it instead of letting it sofer
2007-10-07 05:33:11 · answer #7 · answered by lolsmileyface 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would separate them. Put the babies in their own cage and make sure they have plenty of bedding and comfort so they stay warm. I personally don't know about how the babies need to eat or drink, but if you want to keep them alive you better find out and keep them away from their mamma. I don't know why they eat them, but it is not unheard of. It's sad.
2007-10-07 05:04:03 · answer #8 · answered by Missy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they will eat them, or just kill them if they feel threatened or someone has touched the baby. Let her alone, no visitors, just quietly give her food and water, she should be fine.
It is not from lack of protien, dogs and other mammals will do this too.
2007-10-07 05:03:28 · answer #9 · answered by Kiki B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes it is due to the babys having a scent that is unnatural. another cause is if the mother is stressed. also she may reject them for reasons unknown a possible cause either way you carnt intervine and have to let her get on with it
2007-10-07 05:06:24 · answer #10 · answered by turtleemo168 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋