Indoor Pets: Raising Dwarf Hamsters

You go into the pet store, pick out a cute little dwarf hamster, and a few weeks later she's bitting and is a little rounder then you remember. Congratulations your a hamster parent! I am a mother to many pets, but none are as surprising as my dwarf hamsters. These little rodents are intelligent and over the course of 5 years I've raised and cared for over 20 dwarf hamsters. Many came as a surprise to me, but have taught me how to prepare well for a litter of hamsters. It's not hard, just remember that any aggression towards you is a normal behavior and you'll get your loving hamster back.

When you think your hamster may be pregnant, no one knows better then a vet. Your local vet will give you plenty of help if you need it, but these little creatures are very good parents. But there are a few things you can do to comfort your little hamster. Make sure you give your hamster a place she can hide away from noise and light. Dwarf hamsters live underground in there natural habitat and so the "deeper" they think they are the safer they feel. So make sure to supply plenty of bedding, this can be paper towels torn up, toilet paper roll, or any house you find in the pet store. Don't be surprised if she buries herself into the house to be alone. Gestation on average lasts about 21 days and a few days prior to birth the mother will want to be alone and chase her mate out, if there is one.

If your hamster mom does have a mate he is no threat to the little pups, dwarf hamster dads are known to bring the mother food and help keep the pups close. But be warned, dwarf hamsters breed often and breed quickly. So even after she gives birth expect another litter 21 days later if her mate is allowed to rejoin her. Also most dwarf hamsters reach sexual maturity at 60 days if not sooner, so inbreeding will take place if you do not separate sexes. In some cases it's best just to keep the dad separated so breeding doesn't get out of control.

Make sure a few days before birth you clean mom's cage and supply her with plenty of food and water. Vitamin supplements will do her good since she'll need her strength. On the night of the birth, since hamsters are nocturnal, you may hear a lot of squeaking, leave her be. She takes care of the work herself. After the pups are born still resist the urge to handle them. Many times handling the pups will change the smell of them to mom and she could abandon or even canalize them. Both are sad options for the pup. So it's best just to watch for two weeks while mom takes care of the pups. If she seems to chase away or ignore a pup she could be sensing something unseen. Many times animal mothers abandon weak or sick babies so they can provide for the others. If you see this happen seek advice from your vet and you will most likely need to hand raise this pup yourself. It rarely happens, but it can.

The pups are born without fur and with eyes closed. After a few days you will begin to see colored fur appear and their eyes will begin to open. When the pups seem to be full of fur and have eyes open you can start to lower the water bottle and provide food for the whole family, this usually occurs 11 days after birth. Soft treats are good for little pups since they can get moisture from the fruit along with nutrients. Apples and lettuce are two good options, but make sure to feel them in small portions and in little pieces so the pups and eat them easier. Always remove uneaten treats. After about 20 days from birth you should have the pups sexed and separated to avoid inbreeding.

If you ever need to change the cage before the ten days are up, you should. Wet cages and small pups don't mix well. If you do need to do this, separate the mother then take the whole litter and nest mom made and place it in another clean container that the pups can't crawl out of. To be safest I suggest handling the pups and nest with gloved hands. This is also a good time for the mom to get some alone time from her pups. After cleaning the cage, put the nest and the pups back and then mom. She'll inspect them all at first, but then everything will be back to normal.

Remember if you ever feel too overwhelmed your local vet can provide answers for you. You're hamster mom will take care of all the hard work, just try to keep her and her pups comfortable. When 20 days after birth approaches you'll see a litter of crazy little hamsters ready to live their own little lives. Mom will appreciate them leaving and getting time to rest. Now all you have to do is enjoy your now larger hamster family. Have fun!