After a hamster gives birth to babies, it is necessary to keep the environment quiet and stable, avoid touching the young, separate them into different cages in a timely manner, and provide high-nutrient food. The following key points can be referred to specifically:
Core Precautions
Environmental Management
Keep Quiet: The mother hamster is sensitive after giving birth. Noise, strong light, or frequent disturbances should be avoided to prevent her from abandoning or harming the babies due to stress.
Control Temperature and Humidity: Maintain the temperature between 18-26°C. Avoid direct sunlight and strong wind. Ensure air circulation, but there should be no cold drafts.
Do Not Clean the Cage within Two Weeks: Keep the original bedding to maintain the familiar smell for the mother hamster, preventing the babies from being abandoned.
Mother Hamster Care
Separate Cages Immediately: If the male hamster is still in the cage, it should be removed immediately to prevent it from attacking the babies or causing "postpartum mating" (the mother hamster mates right after giving birth).
High-Nutrient Diet: Provide cooked egg whites, chicken breast meat, special nutritional powder for hamsters, and fresh vegetables to ensure that the mother hamster has sufficient energy during the lactation period.
Baby Hamster Care
Avoid Touching: Do not touch the babies with your hands within 14 days after their birth to prevent the mother hamster from abandoning them due to the change in smell. If necessary, you can use gloves or tools to operate.
Observe the Health Status: Judge whether everything is normal by observing the activity frequency of the babies and the mother hamster's licking behavior from a distance.
Gradually Introduce Food: The babies can start trying to eat at 14 days old. It is necessary to provide food for young hamsters that is easy to gnaw on and supplies for grinding their teeth.
Timing of Cage Separation
Separate Cages After 3-4 Weeks: Solitary breeds such as Syrian hamsters need to be strictly separated into different cages to avoid territorial conflicts after they reach adulthood.
Additional Suggestions
Handling Special Situations: If it is found that the mother hamster eats the babies or the babies are extremely thin and weak, it is necessary to check the environmental pressure and nutrient supply. If necessary, supplement with pet goat milk powder.
Gradually Adapt to Contact: After the babies open their eyes, you can interact with them gently to help them get used to the smell of humans.
By taking the above measures, the healthy growth of the mother hamster and the babies can be guaranteed to the greatest extent.