- Feed your dwarf hamster commercial hamster food. Dwarf hamsters have a similar diet to other hamster varieties.
- Give your hamster fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables add extra nutrition as well as variety to your hamster’s diet.
- Include a good protein source in your dwarf hamster’s diet. Protein is an important nutrient for your dwarf hamster.
- Add fiber to your dwarf hamster’s diet. Natural sources of fiber, such as timothy hay and alfalfa hay, are good sources of fiber.
- Feed your dwarf hamster hard treats once a week. Hard treats help your dwarf hamster keep his incisors filed down, which is good for his overall dental hygiene.
- Provide your dwarf hamster with fresh water. Water is just as important to your dwarf hamster’s diet as food.
- Learn which foods you should not feed your dwarf hamster. ...
What vegetables are best for a dwarf hamster?
- Leafy vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, bok choy, and lettuce
- Kale, swiss chard, dandelion leaves, broccoli
- Cauliflower, cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus
- Celery, carrots, squash
- Radicchio, bell peppers, parsnips
- Sweet potatoes, cooked potatoes, hay, squash
- Melon, figs, parsley, turnip, green beans, etc.
How much should you feed your dwarf hamsters?
- Commercial hamster food has a high nutritional value, but should not be the only type of food you feed your dwarf hamster.
- The pellet formulation allows your dwarf hamster to gnaw on his food, which can be good for his dental hygiene.
- Choose a commercial food that has about 15 to 20% protein.
What is the best food for dwarf hamsters?
List of the best grains, seeds and nuts for a dwarf hamster:
- Barley
- Cashew
- Flaxseed
- Lentils
- Millet
- Oats
- Peanut
- Popcorn (unsalted)
- Pumpkin seed
- Sesame seed
What treats are good for dwarf hamsters?
- Fruit Treats. Often prepared with yogurt, these sweet fruity treats are easy to digest and a solid source of calcium for your hamster.
- Chewy Treats. Hamster chew treats are actually prepared with fortifying ingredients such as apple wood, which your hammie can nibble and gnaw upon to their heart’s content; strengthening their teeth ...
- Treat Sticks. ...
What can I feed a baby hamster?
General Hamster Feeding Information Discuss with your veterinarian supplementing your hamster's diet with small and controlled amounts of fresh produce, both vegetables and fruits. Never offer your hamster any specific vegetables or fruits unless you're 100 percent sure that they're hamster-safe.
How do you take care of a newborn dwarf hamster?
To care for hamster babies, start by leaving them alone in the cage with their mother for the first two weeks. Then, after a week, scatter some food around the floor of the cage to encourage the babies to explore the area. After two weeks, begin holding them so that they can get used to being handled by humans.
How do you feed baby hamster milk?
Feed them with Lactol; a milk formula as a replacement for mother's milk. Milk is to be given every hour until they are 7-10 days old using an eyedropper. Do not squirt the milk but instead, let a drop of milk hover on the dropper and let the pup suck or lick it.
Does baby hamster need milk?
While adult hamsters can drink small quantities of milk, orphaned baby hamsters need milk that matches the mother's milk as closely as possible. Levels of fat and protein in hamster's milk are different from those in cow's milk.
Can Dwarf hamsters drink milk?
Like humans, hamsters would probably prefer whole milk, but whole milk has way too much fat. Skim milk is a much healthier option. You never want to give your hamster chocolate milk as it can be loaded with sugar, and chocolate is poisonous to hamsters. Also avoid other flavored milks, such as strawberry.
How do you keep baby hamsters alive?
Make feeding and watering time as efficient and calm as possible. Keep quiet when you are in and around the cage so you don't stress your hamster out. It's okay to have a quick peek in the cage on occasion, but you should avoid sitting and watching the hamsters for long periods of time.
When can I touch baby hamsters?
14 days14 days of age is “the ideal time to begin to familiarize your young hamster with being handled,” says Kohles. This should be a thoughtful process where you can help desensitize them to handling to minimize the stress of the baby hamsters.
How do you feed a newborn hamster without a mother?
At around 7-10 days, the babies will be ready to get food and drink from a source other than the mother. Don't put a water bowl in the cage, as they may drown in it. Instead, place a sipper bottle with the nozzle about 1–2 centimeter (0.4–0.8 in) above the bedding.
Can baby hamsters drink cow milk?
Which is great for calves, but many other animals get tummy troubles if fed on cow's milk. Feeding milk to hamsters can lead to diarrhea and which in small animals leads quickly to dehydration, and can be fatal for hamsters.
When can I touch baby hamsters?
14 days14 days of age is “the ideal time to begin to familiarize your young hamster with being handled,” says Kohles. This should be a thoughtful process where you can help desensitize them to handling to minimize the stress of the baby hamsters.
When can baby hamster be separated from their mother?
Removing the Pups You can remove weaned hamsters from their mother at approximately 3 to 4 weeks of age, though if a litter has exceptionally small hamsters or babies that failed to flourish, let them stay with their mother an extra week. Baby hamsters can safely go to adoptive homes as early as 3 weeks of age.
How do you give a baby hamster water?
Giving the pups water is actually not as easy as it sounds. For instance, a baby hamster can drown in a bowl of water. Instead, you should use a shallow dish for water for the first 10 days. After that, you can use a sipper bottle.
What Do Baby Hamsters Eat?
The mother hamster usually takes good care of the hamster babies. However, there are some additional foods that you can offer to the babies to help them in their development.
What Should a Mother Hamster Eat?
When a mother hamster is expecting hamster babies they require a diet that is high in protein. It is a good idea to feed your hamster egg, unsalted chicken or beef, and mealworm (available at pet shops).
To sum up
Whether you are looking after a motherless baby hamster that has been rejected or has lost its mother, or you want to give your baby hamsters the highest level of care, there are a few things that you can do.
What to feed a hamster?
Feed them boiled egg, bits of cooked unseasoned chicken or beef, mealworms (usually available at high-end pet stores) and fruits or vegetables rich in vitamins A (natural A is good) and E. Broccoli, sweet apple (as opposed to sour green apple), cantaloupe, and peas are all good fruit and vegetable choices for your hamster.
How to care for a baby hamster?
Baby hamsters are usually well cared for by their mothers, but you can offer a few foods to help the hamster pups along. Baby hamsters will likely benefit from wheat germ cereal early in their development, so sprinkle a little close to the nest. Also small seeds such as millet are good for hamster pups, even those younger than 10 days old. Place a whole sprig of millet in the cage as an extra treat for the mother. This gives her something interesting to do, because she will need to gather the seeds off the stem.
How many pups can a hamster have in a litter?
Nursing 14 to 28 pups in a litter can sap a mother hamster’s reserves; she’ll be able to use the fat in the seeds to keep from losing weight. Always provide plenty of hamster food for a nursing mother hamster. She’ll need the food both physically and emotionally.
How long do hamsters nurse after birth?
Hamster babies continue to nurse for almost three weeks after birth.
How to nurse a hamster?
Saving a motherless hamster pup involves more than just feeding it, but our focus is nutrition. Feed a pup evaporated milk mixed in a 50/50 solution with water. Warm the solution to 90 degrees Fahrenheit before feeding it to the baby hamster.
When do hamsters start eating?
Hamster pups start using their teeth at about 5 days old on smaller seeds. If you provide wheat germ by sprinkling it close to the nest, small hamster pups will lick at it. During the third week you should see hamster pups eating from the bowl of solid foods.
Do hamsters eat sunflower seeds?
Pregnant hamsters need the extra folic acid and vitamins as well as the fats and proteins that sunflower seeds provide, which is why mother hamsters can eat more. Protein needs for a hamster increase 60 percent during pregnancy.
What to feed a dwarf hamster?
Grains, Seeds, & Nuts. Whole grains make for a great healthy snack for dwarf hamsters. When it comes to cooked pasta, whole-grain rice, and wheat toast, make sure that they are cooled before you serve them to your pet.
Can dwarf hamsters eat?
Dwarf hamsters can eat a variety of food but some are safer than most. Here is a comprehensive list of food that your dwarf hamsters would be able to eat without any risks to their health. This should be the main food group that you feed your dwarf hamster because it contains the essential nutrients your pet needs.
Do dwarf hamsters have diabetes?
Roborovski dwarf hamsters, however, are less likely to develop diabetes.
Can you feed a dwarf hamster pellets?
Hamster mixes and pellets should make up the bulk of your hamster’s food as they come with more or less the complete nutritional requirements needed by your pet. Fresh food is also a viable source of nutrients for your dwarf hamster but you should be careful when it comes to feeding your pet fresh food because not all of them are safe to eat. ...
Can hamsters eat fruit?
When it comes to fresh food, experts advise hamster owners to feed their pets fruits with high water content. However, this doesn’t mean you should go overboard with feeding your hamster high-water containing fruits because doing so might result in diarrhea – a disease which is all too common in the hamster world.
Is eating almonds bad for hamsters?
Almonds, for example, contain cyanide which is poisonous to hamsters. Garlic, onion, and chocolate are also toxic to hamsters just as they are to cats and dogs.
What do hamsters eat?
It’s also important to add fiber to your hamster’s diet. Natural sources of fiber, such as timothy hay and alfalfa hay, are good sources of fiber. Another thing that you should know is that Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters absolutely love insects, and you should feed them (not all insects) if you can.
What is the best food for a dwarf hamster?
Here are some of the best options when it comes to hamster food that’s best for dwarf hamsters: Kaytee Fiesta Hamster Food – this food mix is actually great for both dwarf hamsters and larger Syrian hamsters. It has natural veggies and fruits to add some variety and improve the nutrient content of the mix.
How long can a hamster live without food?
Know that hamsters can only live three to four days without food and/or water. You should feed your hamster twice a day, once in the morning, and once again in the evening. Your hamster should get a full tablespoon of hamster food mixture daily – so give your hamster half a tablespoon of mixture each time you feed it.
How long does it take for a dwarf hamster to get out of the house?
Fruits and vegetables can become spoiled and moldy very quickly, and it’s especially important to take them out after 24 hours. Something that you should keep in mind is that dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes. Their bodies are very small and it’s difficult for them to deal with high levels of sugar in their bodies.
What is the most popular hamster?
Dwarf hamsters definitely top the group for the most popular hamsters in the world. They’re immensely popular all around the world, and their numbers only grow by the day. If you’re an owner of this furry species, then you have to know their dietary requirements, how much they need to eat, and what they’re eating.
Why does my hamster sneeze?
If you’ve noticed your hamster sneezing, they may be allergic to their bedding or something in their food. It could also be microscopic dust in the air. Try switching beddings, foods, to an unscented fabric softener, and use an air filter by your hamster’s cage to eliminate all allergens in that environment.
What to feed a hamster?
Provide your hamster with different types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds on a daily basis. Don’t fear to reduce the sizes of your hamster’s meals if you notice that it’s gaining a lot of weight, as you don’t want it to become too fat. When you’re feeding your hamster, it’s best to use a food bowl.
What do hamster babies look like?
By this point, hamster babies will begin looking like smaller versions of their parents. Their fur will be completely grown in, their eyes and ears will be open, and they will begin finding food by themselves. At this age, pups are no longer reliant on their mother for food, warmth, or safety.
How many baby hamsters are in a litter?
Like most other small mammals, a hamster mother will have several baby hamsters in one litter. The average litter size is usually 4 to 6 pups. But some litters may have up to twenty pups!
How big is a baby hamster?
The size of the pup will vary depending on breed. But since the largest breed, the Syrian hamster, is only four to seven inches long when full grown, you can bet that your baby Syrian hamster will be quite tiny.
How long does it take for a baby hamster to open its ears?
Baby Hamsters: Week One. In their first week, pups will not be very active. For the most part, they will huddle in their nest and nurse. Depending on the species, their ears might open at the end of this week. Or it might take until the end of week two. At the end of the first week, fur might be visible.
What is a baby hamster called?
A baby hamster is normally called a pup. Occasionally, you will also see them being referred to as kittens. That general term covers any of the following, and more: baby Dwarf hamsters, baby Syrian hamsters, baby teddy bear hamsters, baby Russian Dwarf hamsters, and baby Robo Dwarf hamsters. You can really feel free to choose and use ...
How long does it take for a hamster to go into labor?
After the designated gestation time frame, the mother hamster will go into labor. Generally, labor occurs for about one to two hours, with pups arriving every 15-30 minutes.
How long do hamsters live?
This is due to the fact that these are small, delicate creatures who require recovery time after delivery. And hamsters typically only live around two to three years. The exact gestation period for a hamster varies a lot depending on the species.
What to do if a hamster smells like a pup?
This is not easy either. If a mom smells a pup that is not hers, she will eat it. Your best bet is to first clean the baby hamsters to remove the scent of their old nest and then cover them in the other mother’s nesting material to mask the scent.
What happens if you mate two hamsters?
If you mate two of these together, you will get all white newborns that are eyeless and will die in a matter of two weeks. When you pair two hamsters that are closely related (small gene pool), you might get babies that have mental illnesses.
How long does it take for a hamster to give birth?
The gestation period, the time from mating to birth is extremely short; 16 days for Golden Syrians, and 18-20 for dwarf types. During this time the mother will begin eating (need) a lot of protein hamster foods as well as collecting soft bedding and build a birthing nest. Recommended Bedding.
How many babies can a hamster have?
Finding homes: Female hamsters can have a litter of 4 to as many as 15 babies. Bad genetics: You might end up with offspring that have genetic defects or mental illnesses.
How often do Syrians mate?
Females are ready to mate for a 12 hour period every four days. When mating occurs, it’s very brief and shortly afterwards, the female (syrian breeds) will become aggressive to the male. This is why you should only place a male Syrians in with a female counterpart for a short time.
When do hamsters lose interest?
Week 2: The eyes of the hamsters will now be open and the youngsters will be able to see fully. Month 3: The mom will nurse her young for up to the third month and then begin to lose interest. Month 4: At this time the mom will abandon them but still tolerate them in her habitat for a short while longer.
How long do wolves mate?
When a female is in estrus and she is willing, she will go into the lordosis; mating will then occur. Females are ready to mate for a 12 hour period every four days.
How long does it take for a dwarf hamster to get pregnant?
Whatever the case, here is how the pregnancy happens and how you can tell your hamster is pregnant. First, the pregnancy lasts from 18 to 22 days, time in which the hamster’s midsection will become larger and larger.
How long does it take for a hamster to be adopted?
Touching the babies is a big mistake, when they’re so young. A baby hamster can only be removed from his mother after 3-4 weeks, and can be given for adoption immediately after. You will notice the mother has weaned them when she pushes them away after they try to nurse from her.
How to save hamster babies from being eaten?
How to save the hamster babies from being eaten. Do not stress the mother. Leave food/protein for the mother before she gives birth. Give the mother plenty of space, in a large cage. Do not disturb the mother or cage for at least 2 weeks after giving birth.
What to feed a hamster when it gives birth?
If you notice that your hamster has give birth overnight, bring her some protein. This is the food that will help her regain her strength immediately. Something like cooked egg white, or c ooked plain chicken is good for your hamster.
Why do hamsters eat their babies?
Mother hamsters are not as emotional as human mothers. There are a few reasons a hamster mother might eat her young, and here they are: 1 She feels stressed/threatened like if you constantly check on her and the litter 2 Her personal space in too small, the babies take up too much space in a cage that is too tiny 3 She is very hungry after giving birth 4 Accidentally storing them in her cheeks to carry them 5 Biting them too hard when she carries them 6 She thinks something’s wrong with them (diseased, or something physical they can’t survive) 7 You or someone else have touched them (changed their scent) and she doesn’t think they’re hers 8 Father hamsters are liable to eating their young as well
How big is a hamster cage?
The absolute minimum for a hamster cage is 24 x 12 inches, and about 12 inches tall. That’s 61 x 30.5 cm, and about 30.5 cm tall. That’s the minimum for a Syrian hamster, and it’s what I’d recommend for a dwarf hamster as well. A hamster mother giving birth to 6-12 babies at once is going to fill up a cage fast.
How to know if your hammy is giving birth?
So if you know your hammy is about to give birth, be careful when approaching her in the morning. Do not poke at her or the cage, talk to her, or try to interact with the babies. Keep her warm and well fed, and make sure she has plenty of quiet and small children or other pets can’t reach her.
