After the hamster gives birth, careful care is needed to ensure the health of the mother hamster and the baby hamsters. Here 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 nutritious products 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 relatively dark place and cover the cage with a cloth to reduce noise and interference.
Baby hamsters are born without hair and are prone to catching cold, so it is necessary to add soft-textured and less-smelling wood chips or clean toilet paper as bedding in the nesting box for warmth.
Avoid changing the cage because the mother hamster will store a large amount of food in her cheek pouches 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 and only the obviously dirty parts should be cleaned locally to avoid disturbing the mother hamster 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 completely finished at about 28 days. During the weaning period, some solid foods such as hamster food can be gradually provided to the baby hamsters to help them adapt 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, the cage settings should be gradually adjusted and more toys and climbing facilities should be provided to satisfy their curiosity and exploratory desires.
By following the above steps, the health and happiness of the mother hamster and the baby hamsters can be ensured.