Baby Care
Baby hamsters do not need much
more care than adult dwarfs. From birth through 10 days, they
should be left alone with mama. Do not change the cage or touch
them. From 10 days on, you can change the cage weekly and handle
the babies briefly if mama will allow it. Hold them over something
soft like a tub of shredded paper because they are very jumpy
until about 4 weeks of age and can be easily injured. If mom will
not let you handle the babies, you can still tame them very well
by handling them from weaning on (18 days). You can take the babies
away from mom when she has another litter (roughly 20 days after
the first if the male is still present) or, if she is not pregnant
again, you can remove the babies and place them in their own cage(s)
at 4 weeks of age. At 4 weeks they should be split by gender into
same sex groups (males in one cage and females in another). This
is to prevent unwanted babies, unwanted inbreeding and unwanted
surprises for anyone adopting one of your female babies. From
10 days to 4 weeks of age, the babies should get a good portion
of oats, oatmeal, wheat germ or small birdseeds. They can eat
lab blocks from 3 weeks on but will not thrive on them until older.
They grow much more quickly if offered small grains. You can also
offer slices of cucumber or red apple from 10 days of age until
the babies can reach the water bottle. This prevents dehydration
and mama naturally starts to nurse them less. Babies should not
be sold or given away until they are 4 weeks of age.
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