6 Things Not to Do If Your Hamster Has Babies
Do you know how to care for a baby hamster?
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So, Your Hamster Had Babies
Your female hamster gave birth to a litter of cute little pink babies. What an exciting time! If this has happened to you, congratulations! It's always great when your pet has a child or three of its own.
Although it can be easy to want to play with them right away, it's very important, especially in the first two weeks of the babies' lives, that they feel safe and calm (the mom, too!). Here are things you shouldn't do if your hamster has babies.
1. Don't Look at the Babies
Although you have probably seen them at least once already, it's important that you don't move things around to have a look at the babies. Chances are that the mother is keeping them somewhere safe, such as a concealed corner or a small house if she has one. If the mother sees you trying to find her offspring, she may take this as a threat, no matter how much she trusts you.
Hamsters are very territorial creatures and, after all, you are a lot bigger than she is. Even if you have a very strong bond with your hamster, don't go looking for the babies. You'll be able to hear their cries when you're nearby.
The mom will hide her babies!
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2. Don't Make Loud Noises
It's very important that the hamster cage is somewhere quiet after the mom has had the babies. Sudden or loud noises can cause her to panic, which can result in her killing and eating the babies. This may seem harsh, but the survival instincts tell the mother that danger is nearby, and she has to sacrifice her offspring for the nest’s overall safety.
Put the hamster in a quiet room that isn't used much, or ideally, a spare room where there is little to no noise. You don't have any control over noises outside the house such as the weather, motorcycles, or sirens, but make sure that small children don't make noises in the room, the cage isn't knocked or moved, and you don't go in there to vacuum.
3. Don't Try to Touch the Babies for Several Weeks
As well as avoiding looking at the babies when they're very young, ward off touching them until they're moving around on their own and have a good amount of fur. If the mother detects your scent on her babies, she'll kill them. You also shouldn't disturb them by trying to take photographs of them, however tempting it might be.
4. Don't Let Other Hamsters Into the Cage
Unlike humans, hamsters don't really get attached to their children beyond the initial care when they're very small. It might be tempting to let the father hamster, if you have him, into the cage to meet the children. Don't do this.
The mother can be moody—she might not always want the father around, even at the best of times. The presence of another hamster can also frighten the mother. Keep all other hamsters away from the mother's cage.
5. Don't Clean the Cage
Hamster cages are supposed to be cleaned at least once a week, but after a hamster has babies, cleaning the cage is a big no-no.
Drop kitchen roll and extra food into the cage (as quietly as you can), and change the water every day as always. The hamster will use the kitchen roll to make softer bedding for her babies, and she'll also need extra food. If she thinks there isn't enough nutrition for her and her children, you guessed it—she might end up killing her little ones.
6. Don't Pick the Mother Up or Take Her out of the Cage
You might be the type of hamster owner who brings out the hamster every few days or so to play with them. However, you must leave her alone while she's taking care of her young. She won't get lonely as she'll be busy feeding her babies and keeping them warm.
Taking her out of the cage will just cause her distress, and your scent will get on her as well, which might confuse the pups. Leave her alone for at least a couple of weeks.
He has fur, finally!
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Prepare for Success
Avoid doing these six things, and give your new hamster babies a much greater chance of surviving!
Once your hamsters have grown a little, it's time to decide what to do with them. Consider giving them away to new homes once they're big enough, or if the mother only has one or two, you could consider keeping them if you have the space. Just be sure to do some research on the type of hamsters you have and their living habits. Good luck!
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Questions & Answers
Question: My female hamster had six babies this morning, so I immediately separated my male hamster from them all. Now I am only left with one baby hamster, but my grandma asked me to put the father with the mother and baby because now the father does not have a cage. He looks very lonely, but I am not sure if I should after reading the article. What do I do?
Answer: You should buy a cage for the father! Females and males shouldn’t be living together because they’ll breed too much. Make sure they live separately. Hamsters do not get “lonely.” Also, you said there’s only one baby left; does this mean the mother killed the rest of them?
Question: Why is my hamster separating one of her babies to a different area of the cage?
Answer: It could be several reasons. The baby might be sick, not smell right (have you touched any of them?) and she might be preparing to cull it. If you’re really worried, gently put the pup back with its siblings using a warm spoon (but do NOT touch it; if you get your scent on them, she will kill them.)
Question: My hamster mom is putting her baby in her cheeks for a long time. Why is this?
Answer: If the baby is small enough to fit in her cheeks, you should not be disturbing them. Let her do what she needs to do.
Question: My hamster gave birth to nine babies. Why did they all die?
Answer: It could be for a number of reasons.
Maybe the nest was disturbed too much, or the mother thought there wasn’t enough food for them all. Maybe the room she’s in was too noisy. Maybe the mother is too young to take care of a litter. Did you do any of the things mentioned in this article?
Question: My hamster is not feeding the babies. What should I do?
Answer: Please stop disturbing the mother and her litter. She probably won’t be feeding them while you’re outside their cage staring at them. Please leave them alone and follow the instructions of this article.
Question: Can I leave the father hamster with the mother and babies?
Answer: No, you can't. Please read the article carefully. The father must be removed as soon as possible because he may attack and eat the babies. The mother may also attack him.
Question: My hamster had babies yesterday. She decided to nest in a small area on the top of the cage. It is obviously very humid in there because there is moisture on the lid. Will the babies be OK?
Answer: Did you know she was pregnant? You should remove any access to upper floors because if the babies fall they might injure or kill themselves.
Is there a way to ventilate that area? I need to know more about the cage before I can answer properly.
Question: Our mother hamster just gave birth. I got home and looked at her babies (just a look). Her babies are just in the pile of tissues but I’m a little bit worried now because she is sleeping away from her litter. Did I do something wrong?
Answer: If she’s neglecting them, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your fault. Mothers need a break from their kids, just like humans! She might just be having a nap and taking a break from nursing. Check back on them in a couple of hours and hopefully she’ll be nursing them. You have to be quiet, though, as your presence may disturb her.
Question: Our hamster just had babies and we cant find our other hamster to separate them. Would the mother harm the father?
Answer: Yes, she might. Or the father will attack the babies. Please find and remove him as soon as possible. You shouldn’t be housing males and females together anyway.
Question: What happens if l let the mother hamster out of the cage?
Answer: This isn't a good idea if the babies are less than two weeks old. She'll be busy nursing and doesn't need as much exercise as usual. If you pick her up, your smell could get onto the pups. Leave her alone until the babies have fur.