How to Feed Baby Hamsters Without Mother?

Hamsters are one of the most popular pets that pet owners love to have in their houses. They’re fun, cute, and easy to care for.

Unfortunately, sometimes an unfortunate situation arises in which a hamster doesn’t have a mother to take care of her young or has died, leaving them without anyone to feed them or keep them warm.

In this situation, you should know how to properly care for these newborn baby hamsters so that they grow up strong and healthy and can live long lives as pets in your home.

Once you’ve done your research and have the proper supplies in place, it’s possible to keep them happy and healthy with just a few simple steps.

The first thing you will need to do is purchase high-quality, milk-based baby formula. You can find these formulas at most pet stores.

Next, you will need to purchase a small, soft-bristled brush. This brush will be used to stimulate the baby hamsters’ gums and promote proper digestion.

Finally, you will need to purchase a small syringe or bottle. This will be used to slowly and carefully administer the formula to the baby hamsters.

To feed your hamster, mix a 50/50 solution of baby formula and water and gradually feed your baby hamster with a syringe.

With a little time and patience, you can successfully feed baby hamsters without a mother.

Table of Contents

Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Baby Hamsters Without Mother

When a baby hamster is born, its mother usually takes care of it for the first few weeks of its life.

If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have your baby hamster’s mother with you, you’ll need to know how to properly feed a baby hamster without its mother.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Frequent Need for Food

As any hamster owner knows, these cute little creatures need much care and attention. A critical aspect of their care is their diet.

Baby hamsters need to eat more frequently than adults, every two to three hours. They should be given small meals every two to three hours.

This is because they are growing so quickly, and their bodies need a constant supply of nutrients. When setting up a feeding schedule, it is crucial to be consistent and to stick to it as closely as possible.

It is recommended to feed them 10-12 times a day by starting with 1ml in the first two weeks.

Baby hamsters are also more likely to become overweight if overfed, so it is vital to monitor their food intake carefully.

2. Frequent Need for Water

Baby hamsters have very delicate stomachs and can easily become dehydrated. Make sure to offer them water at every meal.

A water bottle with a sipper tube is the best way to provide water, as it prevents them from spilling it and making a mess.

3. Avoid Cow’s Milk

Pet stores commonly recommend cow’s milk as an orphan baby hamster’s food source. However, this is not the best option.

Too much cow’s milk can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, and even death.

A far better option is to purchase special milk formula designed specifically for orphan baby hamsters.

This formula will provide all the nutrients your hamster needs without risking diarrhea or dehydration.

You can find this formula at most pet stores or online retailers that sell hamster supplies.

4. Soft Food Only

Baby hamsters have delicate stomachs and require a diet of mostly soft foods.

When first starting out, it’s best to give the baby hamster food that has been pre-softened with water. As they get older, you can start giving them drier foods.

The best diet for a baby hamster is a mixture of boiled or mashed fruits and vegetables, cooked grains, and softened chicken.

You can also supplement this diet with high-quality baby hamster food, which can be found at most pet stores.

Avoid giving them hard foods like nuts or seeds, as these can cause digestive problems.

5. Monitoring

Baby hamsters are adorable and delicate, so it’s important to take extra care when feeding them.

Always monitor your baby hamster while it is eating to ensure it gets enough food and does not choke.

One way to do this is to place the food in a small dish in front of the hamster and then offer it a few pellets at a time.

If the hamster seems to be struggling to eat, or if it starts to choke, stop feeding. If you have any concerns, consult a veterinarian specializing in exotic pets.

With a bit of care and attention, you can ensure your baby hamster stays healthy and happy.

6. Optimum Temperature

For your pup hamster’s optimum health and well-being, it is essential to maintain the proper temperature in their cage.

The ideal temperature range for a pup hamster is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too high, your pup hamster may become dehydrated and can even suffer from heatstroke.

On the other hand, if the temperature gets too low, they may develop respiratory problems.

To help keep your pup hamster comfortable, maintain a consistent temperature in their cage and provide plenty of fresh water.

You should also monitor them closely for any changes in behavior that may indicate a problem.

7. Keep Looking for A Surrogate Mother

If you have a baby hamster, you must look for a surrogate mother to feed it. Hamsters are born very small and cannot eat solid food until they are about two weeks old.

The best way to find a surrogate mother is to look for another hamster that has given birth recently. This hamster will still have milk, and she will be able to feed your baby hamster.

Once you have found a surrogate mother, you will need to introduce the two animals slowly.

Start by placing the baby hamster next to the mother’s cage.

Once the baby hamster is used to being around the mother, you can put them in the same cage.

The mother will then be able to feed and care for the baby hamster.

8. Clean & Spacious Cage

When setting up your pup hamster’s cage, place it in a quiet area away from direct sunlight.

A hamster cage should be at least 18 x 12 inches, with a bar spacing of no more than ½ inch.

The cage should be made of solid plastic, metal, or glass, with a wire mesh top. It is essential to avoid using cages with galvanized wire, as the zinc can be toxic to your hamster.

The cage should also have a water bottle and a food bowl.

9. Less Interaction

When a litter of hamsters is born, the mother will typically take care of them for the first few weeks of their lives. However, if the mother dies or abandons the litter, the baby hamsters will become orphans.

In this case, minimizing their interaction with humans and other animals is essential. Orphaned baby hamsters are fragile and can easily succumb to stress or illness.

Furthermore, they are not used to being handled by humans, and they may scratch if they feel threatened.

For these reasons, orphaned baby hamsters should only be handled when necessary and should be closely monitored for any signs of illness or stress.

10. Stimulate Digestion

As any new pet owner knows, there is much to learn when caring for your new orphan furry friend.

A critical aspect of keeping your hamster healthy is stimulating its digestion. This can be done by gently rubbing their genitals with a warm cloth. This will help to move things along and keep them regular.

In addition, it is a good idea to offer them a variety of foods so that they can get all the nutrients they need.

By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your hamster stays healthy and happy for years.

What Are the Chances of Survival?

Baby hamsters have a hard time surviving without a mother.

Baby hamsters under five days old are likelier to have low chances of survival. This is because the mother provides her pups with warmth, nourishment, and protection.

She also helps to teach them essential survival skills, such as how to find food and avoid predators.

As a result, orphaned pups are at a severe disadvantage.

Fortunately, many caring and experienced hamster breeders in the United States can provide pups with the care and attention they need to thrive.

Wrapping Up!

Feeding baby hamsters without a mother can be difficult, but it’s possible with some patience and care. Remember that these little guys can’t be in separate enclosures, so their water and food need to be changed often, and there must be enough room for them to run around. Their cages should also have items that allow them to play and climb!