Baby hamsters should not drink cow's milk. Baby hamsters will be weaned at around 21 days old, and the synthesis level of lactase in their bodies will drop to 10% of that before weaning. After weaning, hamsters are unable to synthesize enough lactase on their own, and lactase is an enzyme required for the digestion of lactose in the small intestine. Therefore, the lactose in cow's milk will cause lactose intolerance in baby hamsters, manifested as soft, yellowish or greenish stools, and in severe cases, it may even lead to direct diarrhea.
Reasons Why Baby Hamsters Can't Drink Cow's Milk
Lactose Intolerance: After weaning, baby hamsters cannot synthesize enough lactase by themselves, and lactase is an essential enzyme for the digestion of lactose in the small intestine. The lactose in cow's milk will cause diarrhea in baby hamsters.
Boiling and Skimming Are Ineffective: Even if the cow's milk is boiled or skimmed milk is chosen, the lactose content in the milk cannot be reduced. Therefore, these methods cannot solve the problem of lactose intolerance in baby hamsters.
Substitutes and Suggestions
Although baby hamsters cannot directly drink cow's milk, they can choose some processed dairy products, such as cheese specially designed for small pets or goat milk powder. The lactose in these dairy products is usually broken down during the processing, so it will not cause discomfort. In particular, goat milk powder has a relatively low lactose content and contains probiotics, which helps to promote the absorption and digestion of the gastrointestinal tract of baby hamsters. However, when using these dairy products, it is also necessary to pay attention to the appropriate amount, as overfeeding may still lead to diarrhea.