Baby dwarf hamsters are becoming very popular animals to adopt or purchase as pets. Their small size and irresistible cuteness cause many to make snap decisions about getting one before they’ve even thought it through. To keep your dwarf hamster healthy and happy, there are several things you need to understand before you bring your new pet home.
When a dwarf hamster gives birth, it usually results in an average of 5-6 pups. This can vary depending on the species of hamster. When they are born, the pups are extremely small and should not be handled. Their skin is very thin and when they nurse, you may even be able to see the milk go through their little stomachs.
At this time, the mother hamster is more than capable of caring for her babies, so even the cage must be left alone in addition to feeding and drinking. While you may be tempted to touch babies, you don’t want to introduce germs to them or cause injury to their incomplete muscles and bones. The good news is that they grow very fast.
Once baby dwarf hamsters have some fur and are crawling a bit (usually around two weeks), then you can handle them for very short periods of time. This will aid in the taming process and help develop a bond between you and your pet. Still, the babies have a lot to learn from their mother, so they have to stay with her most of the time. It is during this period that the pups also receive crucial nutrition from the mother that helps them continue to form and grow.
After two weeks, baby dwarf hamsters can be given solid food in the form of small nuts and grains. They will continue to breastfeed, but as they learn to eat and drink on their own, it will become less and less frequent.
Once a month has passed, the male and female hamsters should be placed in separate cages. This is also close to the time when you can take your hamster home. Remember, you should never bring home a hamster that is less than 4 weeks old. Adopting a baby dwarf hamster is important because at this young age you will be able to tame it a bit more easily, however, less than 4 weeks and you are putting your hamster at risk.
Prepare your pet’s new home with clean bedding, a wheel, toys, tunnels, daily food, and fresh water. Maintaining a clean environment is one of the most important things you can do to keep your new hamster healthy. Continue to bond with your hamster by handling it, including the time when it is awake and active.
Hamsters are nocturnal animals so you should not disturb them much during the day. This is one of the reasons why they make a great pet if you are at work or school a lot. However, they will be up at night scampering and running on their wheels, so consider noise when deciding where to place the cage.
When a female hamster reaches two months of age, she can become pregnant, so if you don’t want to breed your hamsters, this is something to keep in mind. With a gestation period of about 16 to 20 days, it doesn’t take long to be invaded by baby dwarf hamsters!