You can clean the hamster cage about 15 to 20 days after the hamster gives birth. During this period, both the mother hamster and the baby hamsters need a quiet and stable environment to recover and grow. If you clean the cage too early, it may startle the mother hamster and cause her to abandon nursing the pups.
When cleaning the cage, the following points need to be noted:
Avoid Direct Contact
Try not to touch the baby hamsters and their surrounding environment directly with your hands. You can use chopsticks or tweezers to handle things.
Observe the Mother Hamster's Mood
If the mother hamster is grumpy or has an unstable mood, it's better to wait longer before cleaning the cage to avoid scaring her.
Wean Gradually
Baby hamsters start to be weaned at around 3 - 4 weeks old. At this time, you can gradually introduce hamster food and fresh vegetables, but be careful to control the amount of food to avoid indigestion.
Separate Cages for Feeding
After the baby hamsters reach one month old, separate them into different cages according to their genders to prevent inbreeding and fighting.
By following these precautions, you can ensure that the hamsters and their pups grow up in a safe and healthy environment.