Are you a new parent to a baby hamster? If so, you may be wondering how to feed your little one. Hamsters are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, but there are some foods that are better for them than others. In this blog post, we will discuss the best food options for newborn baby hamsters. So, read on to learn more!
How to feed a newborn baby hamster
The precautions include:
- Place a tissue roll inside the cage for the babies to take a rest on
- The mother should feed them only a small amount of food.
- Every 1-2 minutes, the mother has to check whether there is any baby hamster inside the food substance because if not a single baby remains over the food substance then it means they are suffocating and this may lead to their death.
- The mother should change the food substance after 4-5 feeding because if not, it will turn sour and cause health problems for the babies.
- Sometimes it happens that a baby hamster hides itself in some corner of the cage and doesn't eat anything from food substances. If that is the case then the mother hamster should not disturb the baby and remove that food substance from the cage after 10-15 minutes.
The items required to feed a newborn baby hamster:
- Hamster milk formula ( available in pet shops)
- A small dropper (available in medical stores)
During feeding:
- The mother should be very careful while feeding the newborns because there are chances that they may suffocate in the food substances.
- Place a tissue roll inside the cage for the babies to take a rest on
- Every 1-2 minutes, parents has to check whether there is any baby hamster inside the food substance because if not a single baby remains over thr food substance then it means they are suffocating and this may lead to their death.
- The mother should change the food substance after 4-5 feeding because if not, it will turn sour and cause health problems for the babies.
What to feed the baby hamster
1. In the first week of a hamster baby's life it does not need any food. The mother deals with everything, and this is quite enough for the smallest of these animals.
2. In the 2nd-3rd days, a tiny drop of diluted milk can be put on a piece of cotton wool or gauze in front of the baby. If the hamster is hungry, it will drink milk, and this is a good sign.
3. After 3 days you can give the newborn a little porridge of oats with water or diluted milk, but only very small portions so that all animals are able to eat it. A young mother should always be on duty by the babies so that they do not get under the feet of adult hamsters.
4. After 4-5 days, you can already put a little specially prepared porridge into the nest every 2 hours. The older animals will be removed from the nest and taken to another container with hamster food, but this should be done carefully so as not to intimidate the babies.
5. After 5 days, you can already give your pets little chopped vegetables and some seeds, as well as boiled noodles and buckwheat porridge. A teaspoon of soup should be poured into a clean container several times a day so that all young animals have food.
6. At 7-8 days, the hamsters are already completely independent of their mother's milk. It is good if you give them a mixture of raspberries and fresh hay at this time.
7. At 10-12 days old, the hamsters should be given dry food - special crumbs for young animals. This must be done very carefully because not all animals are able to eat from a bowl. Some hamsters may try to steal food from others, but this is normal. But you can not give more food than your pets will be able to clean up in 2-3 hours.
8. At 14-16 days old, the hamsters already need their own food bowl where they will be able to eat independently. Dry food can be given as a main course, and also you can put a teaspoon of porridge in the bowl every day.
9. In 2 weeks, you can give small portions of moistened bread soaked in milk or vegetable puree once a day. The plate with food should remain in the cage only for a short time - no more than 1-2 hours. Young hamsters can steal from each other, from an adult animal or a young one.
10. At 22 days old, hamsters should be given dry food as a main course and fresh vegetables every day - carrot, cucumber, and greens. At 2 months, you can gradually start feeding your hamster with specially prepared food for adults.
11. If the mother rejected young animals or died, then the pups must be taken to an experienced breeder who will know how to feed and care for them at the correct age. Be sure to choose a reputable breeder if you do not want your pets to suffer and die.
How often should you feed a baby hamster?
When you get your new hamster baby it is best to look after them the same way as you would a newborn baby.
Hamsters can't eat solid foods until they are at least three weeks old and should not be weaned before four weeks. This is because their digestive system isn't developed enough yet, and they could get ill or die if they eat the wrong things before then.
If you have to go away for a few days, ask somebody you trust very much to look after your baby hamsters. They should only be given specially-made hamster milk replacement formula, but should not be handled or fed anything other than that. The best thing is to get a friend to come over at least once a day, every day until the baby hamsters are four weeks old.
Conclusion
Hamsters are little animals that require a lot of care. Feeding them is one way to ensure they stay healthy and happy. The hamster diet should consist mostly of seeds, green vegetables, dried fruit, freshwater daily, occasional treats like yogurt drops or boiled egg yolk with the shell removed. When feeding your newborn baby hamster make sure you avoid overfeeding or giving it too many high-calorie foods because this can lead to obesity which could shorten its life span by up to 20%. Make sure you also wash all food before offering it as well as feed-in moderation so they don’t overeat!
We hope you found the information in this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we would be happy to answer your question promptly!
