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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
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on July 17th, 2015
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.
11Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
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.
9Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 26th, 2018
Hello. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1. Make sure she has a high quality diet. You can also add in some other good foods to increase her energy like spinach, boiled egg white, nuts and grains like quinoa. The mother may not want to get up and move around so put food and water close to her so she doesn't have to get up.
2. Don't touch the babies. Wait until they have plenty of fur, their eyes are open, they’re eating solid food and they getting around well on their own.
3. If there is a male hamster in the enclosure with them move him IMMEDIATELY or she will get pregnant again right away. They can make a new litter every 3 weeks!!
4. Keep the area around them calm and quiet.
5. At 5 weeks of age you will need to separate the babies into males and females and house them separately or you will end up with more babies.
Hope this helps. Best wishes.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful