The lactation period of hamsters typically ranges from 20 to 30 days. During this time, mother hamsters secrete milk to feed their newborn pups. The length of the lactation period varies depending on the species. For Syrian hamsters, the lactation period is approximately 20 - 25 days, while for Roborovski and Campbell's dwarf hamsters, it takes 23 - 30 days.
After the lactation period ends, baby hamsters usually start to eat solid food and gradually wean. Generally, three to four weeks after birth, baby hamsters can begin to consume solid food and are weaned at around four weeks. If there are a large number of pups in a litter, the lactation period can be extended to four weeks (28 days).
To ensure the health of both mother hamsters and their pups, it is recommended to separate the mother and the young hamsters for rearing after the lactation period. This helps avoid conflicts over food or space. Meanwhile, maintaining a clean environment and an appropriate temperature is also of great importance.