So, you’re the proud new parent of a litter of hamster babies.
Congrats! But before you start posting pictures of your adorable new furballs all over social media, there are a few things you should know to make sure your little ones stay happy and healthy.
I know from experience, trust me.
I remember the first time my little lady hamster, Hamtaro, gave birth. I was so excited to finally have a little hamster family of my own.
I had read all the books, watched all the videos, and even set up a little nursery for her in a shoe box (I know, I know, not the most glamorous setup, but I was a broke college student). But when it came time for the big day, I was completely caught off guard. I had no idea what to do.
Hamtaro had given birth in the middle of the night, and when I woke up to check on her in the morning, I found her lying in her bedding with a bunch of tiny, squirming babies crawling all over her.
I was so excited that I woke up my roommates and dragged them out of bed to come and see. But as soon as we saw the little ones, we all panicked.
“What do we do now?” I asked, looking to my roommates for help. They shrugged, just as clueless as I was.
We didn’t know if we should touch the babies, feed them, or leave them alone. We were afraid we might hurt them or stress out Hamtaro. So, we just stood there, staring at the little family in shock.
After a few minutes, Hamtaro started to clean the babies and move them around. And we finally realized that she knew exactly what she was doing.
We were the ones who needed help. So, we did some research and learned everything we needed to know to take care of our new little family.
And that’s why I’m writing this article for you. So, you don’t have to panic like I did. I’ve got your back. Here’s what you need to know about what to do when your hamster gives birth.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Leave Mom Alone
The first thing you need to know is that your hamster mom knows what she’s doing. She’s been carrying those babies for a while and she’s got a natural instinct to take care of them.
So, the best thing you can do is just leave her alone. Don’t try to touch the babies or move them around. Just let her do her thing.
This also means not handling the babies too much. Hamster babies are delicate creatures and you don’t want to stress them out by handling them too much. It’s best to just let them be for the first few days.
Step 2: Keep an Eye on Mom
Even though you should leave mom alone, you still need to keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s eating and drinking enough.
Check to see if she’s keeping the babies clean and if they’re all nursing. If you notice that something’s off, then it’s time to intervene.
Step 3: Prepare for the Future
Hamsters usually give birth to around 4-12 babies at a time, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough space for them all.
Set up a separate cage for the babies, or at least section off a part of the cage for them. This will give them a safe and quiet place to grow and will also make it easier for you to keep an eye on them.
You’ll also need to make sure you have enough food and bedding for the babies. Hamster babies will need a diet of mostly protein and fat, so make sure you have a good quality hamster food on hand.
And don’t forget the bedding! Babies like to burrow and make little nests, so make sure you have plenty of soft, clean bedding for them.
Step 4: Separate the Boys from the Girls
Once the babies are old enough, usually around 4-6 weeks, it’s time to separate the boys from the girls. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at a young age and can start breeding as early as 3-4 weeks old.
So, if you don’t want any more surprise litters, it’s best to separate the sexes as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start handling the babies?
You should wait at least a week before handling the babies.
By this point they should be big enough and strong enough to handle a little handling without getting stressed out.
How can I tell if the babies are boys or girls?
It can be difficult to tell the difference between baby boy and girl hamsters. The best way to tell is to wait until they’re a little older and then check their genitals.
Boys will have a little bump, while girls will have a little indentation.
How long will the mom take care of the babies?
Hamster moms will usually take care of their babies for about 4-6 weeks. After that, the babies will be big enough to fend for themselves and the mom will kick them out of the nest.
My Conclusion
So, there you have it, everything you need to know to take care of your new little hamster family.
Just remember to keep an eye on mom, give the babies their own space, and separate the sexes as soon as possible.
And most importantly, don’t stress out like I did, your little furballs got this.