How to Care for Newborn Hamsters

There may be any number why the mother of newborn hamsters is unable to care for her pups. She may have died or escaped, but whatever the case if you find yourself with a littler of hamster pups you'll need to take special care to ensure their survival.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Clean the cage and keep it clean. This is an especially important step if the mother hamster has died. Keeping the cage clean will make sure the newborn hamsters will be free from bacterial infections or other illnesses and injuries.
2. Make a nest for the newborns hamsters. Toilet paper is an excellent substrate to use for a pup nest. Tear the toilet paper up into small pieces and place it in a built up corner of the cage. Make sure the sides are high enough that the pups won't roll out.
3. Place the cage in a warm area without drafts. Remember that if mom hamster were around she would be nestled on top of her pups to keep them warm since they are hairless for quite some time.
4. Lower the water bottle so they may reach the water. You can also fill the water bottle with an electrolyte replacement formula to prevent dehydration.
5. Feed the hamsters KMR, baby formula or evaporated milk, whichever is readily available. Feed them about three drops each from an eyedropper every hour until they begin to eat solid food. Once they begin to eat solid food you can cut back to one drop every 2 to 3 hours until they are 21 days old.
6. Stimulate the pups to urinate and defecate after each feeding by stimulating the genital and anal area with a warm, damp cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find that the pups are having trouble staying warm place a heating pad, set on low, beneath the cage.
• Always be gentle when feeding with an eyedropper since the newborn hamster may accidentally inhale the liquid and drown.