The feeding of baby hamsters mainly includes two methods: breastfeeding and artificial feeding.
Breastfeeding
Newborn baby hamsters mainly rely on breastfeeding within the first two weeks. If the mother hamster has no intention of nursing, you can dip a cotton swab in breast milk and gently apply it around the baby's mouth to stimulate the baby to suck. Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for baby hamsters, because the mother's milk is rich in nutrients, which helps the healthy growth of the cubs.
Artificial Feeding
If the mother hamster is unwilling to nurse, you can use special hamster milk powder for artificial feeding. Select sugar-free and fat-free milk powder, mix it according to the ratio specified in the instruction manual, and feed it to the baby with a feeding bottle. Feed about 6 to 8 times a day, and the amount of each feeding is about 1 to 2 milliliters. When artificially feeding, the milk temperature should be kept at 37°C. Use a small syringe or dropper to feed small amounts multiple times each time to avoid the baby hamsters from having diarrhea.
Environment Arrangement and Care
Cage Selection: Choose a cage that is large enough to ensure that the baby hamsters have enough space to move around. Wood shavings or sandpaper can be used at the bottom of the cage, so that the baby hamsters can build nests and excrete on it.
Temperature Control: Baby hamsters are relatively sensitive to temperature, and the suitable temperature range is 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. You can use a heating pad or an infrared lamp to maintain a constant temperature.
Humidity Adjustment: The suitable humidity range is 50% to 60%. You can use a humidifier or place a water basin to maintain the humidity.
Reduce Disturbance: Baby hamsters have a low ability to adapt to the environment. Try to reduce unnecessary disturbances, and avoid frequently checking them or directly grabbing them with your hands, so as not to make them feel uneasy.
Precautions
Nutrition of the Mother Hamster: Ensure that the mother hamster has enough food and water to ensure that she has enough milk to feed the baby hamsters.
Safety Measures: Avoid placing running wheels and toys in the cage to prevent harm to the baby hamsters.
Environmental Hygiene: Clean the wet bedding, food bowls, and water dispensers every day to keep the environment clean and hygienic.