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My mother hamster died, how do I care for her newborn babies?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My Hamsters Just had babie & She died Right After , I Need Help To Know What To Do With The Babies

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on July 17th, 2015

You'll need to set up a baby safe cage. A basic cage (preferably one without fancy tubes and tunnels), paper towels, Pet-safe bedding (NOT sawdust), Hamster muesli, Fresh vegetables (carrot or cucumber being better choices for babies), and a water bottle. Keep this all warm with a hot water bottle wrapped in two thicknesses of towel or a heating pad underneath only half the cage, that way if it gets too hot they can move away from it. From 1-14 days old hourly feeds with kitten formula are required. Pups get dehydrated in a matter of hours so not feeding them hourly could kill them. It is a very time-consuming task hand feeding pups.You have to take it slow. Any hurry or forceful feeding can lead to milk being inhaled into the lungs and causing death within the minute. Gently hold the pup in your hand being careful not to squeeze them tightly. Using a pipette or eyedropper full of milk, place it near the pups mouth. They are not used to being fed this way so resistance is natural. Try not to squeeze vast quantities into their mouth, they’ll choke! Little and often is the way to go. Allow the pup to lick/bite the end of the pipette on their own to take in milk. If they don't show an interest, a small drop of milk on the bottom lip can be licked up. Wait for the pup to stop ‘chewing’ the milk (its how they swallow and is normal) then repeat About 2 or 3 drops in one sitting is plenty for a little hamster. Anymore and you may be doing more harm than good. When the pups are eating soft/solid foods (approximately between 10-16 days) the milk weaning can begin reducing feeds to every 3 hours. When the pups are comfortably feeding themselves, milk feeds can be stopped altogether.

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    Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Orphaned hamsters will still need to be given a milk supplement if their mother is not alive to do so. If you have another nursing mother, you may also be able to get her to "adopt" the babies and begin feeding them by gently introducing her their smell through mutual bedding and rubbing of their scent near her. If you must care for them yourself, KMR can be used as a milk replacement and pups should be given .5-1ml of it every 2-3 hours. Looking up how to raise orphaned hamsters online or talking to your local pocket pet vet can also provide you with additional care information. Your vet can also asses their health and provide you with supplements as needed.

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