After the hamster gives birth, careful care is needed to ensure the health of the mother and the baby hamsters. The following are some key care steps:
Ensure Adequate Nutrition
The mother hamster needs to replenish a large amount of nutrients, especially protein and calcium, after giving birth. You can feed high-protein foods such as mealworms, barley worms, boiled egg whites, cheese, milk tablets, and other nutrients such as pet milk powder.
Provide fresh and sufficient drinking water. It is recommended to use distilled water or boiled water that has been cooled down for the mother hamster to drink.
Create a Suitable Environment
Move the hamster cage to a quiet and darker place, and cover the top of the cage with a cloth to reduce noise and interference.
Baby hamsters are born hairless and are prone to catching cold, so it is necessary to add soft-textured and less-smelly wood shavings or clean toilet paper as bedding in the nesting box to keep them warm.
Avoid changing the cage because the mother hamster will store a large amount of food in her cheek pouch after giving birth, and changing the cage may make her feel uneasy.
Reduce Disturbance and Touching
Try not to approach the cage for a period of time after the mother hamster gives birth to avoid disturbing them.
Never touch the baby hamsters directly, lest the mother hamster stop raising or even eat the babies because of the human smell. If you need to move the babies, you can wear disposable gloves.
Cage Cleaning and Maintenance
Before the baby hamsters are weaned, the frequency of cage cleaning should be reduced. Only the obviously dirty parts need to be cleaned locally to avoid disturbing the mother and the babies.
Gradual Weaning and Transitional Food
The weaning of baby hamsters is a gradual process. Usually, weaning starts at 18 to 21 days and is completed at about 28 days. During the weaning period, you can gradually provide some solid foods such as hamster food to the baby hamsters to help them start adapting to independent eating.
Other Precautions
Avoid startling the mother hamster and prevent loud noises or the approach of other people and pets in the breeding environment.
As the baby hamsters grow up, gradually adjust the cage settings and provide more toys and climbing facilities to satisfy their curiosity and exploratory desires.
By following the above steps, you can ensure the health and happiness of the mother hamster and the baby hamsters.