Why is my Syrian hamster eating her babies?

Why is my Syrian hamster eating her babies?

If a hamster is feeling excessively stressed, then it may eat its babies. Fear: It is normal for mothers of many species to want to protect their young, and hamsters are no exception. But when hamsters are scared or fearful, this emotion can result in killing and eating their own young.

When can I separate baby Syrian hamsters from their mother?

When the pups reach 21-28 days old, they are ready to leave their mother. The sexes should be separated and placed in different cages to avoid fighting and breeding. Be gentle when handling baby hamsters; they can move quickly so be careful.

Do hamsters eat their babies whole?

Apparently, it’s totally normal for hamsters to eat their young. According to Reference.com, “Especially in first-time mothers, stress and fear associated with rearing babies can be too much to handle.” Look we get it, mama.

Why do hamsters put their babies in their mouth?

Hamsters don’t just stuff their faces with food — they can also pack up their cheek pouches with babies. Mother hamsters are protective of their babies, and when they perceive a threat to the newborn clan, she may stuff the babies into her mouth and hide the babies in her cheeks.

What do baby Syrian hamsters eat?

Feeding Baby Syrian Hamsters Provide the hamster pups with wheat germ, small seeds and something fresh while feeding the formula. Around 3 weeks of age, you should see the hamster pups start to eat solid food. When you see this, gradually wean them off the formula.

Why do hamsters like to eat their babies?

Reasons Hamsters Eat Their Babies! One may think that the reason a hamster may eat its young is because they are hungry, but the reality is there are several reasons they might do this. Lack of food may be a reason, so make sure you always have fresh food and water on hand for the nursing mom.

Do you have to take care of Syrian hamsters?

Breeding and raising Syrian hamsters is an important responsibility. Taking care of possibly 16 pups will require your time, money, and attention. If not done correctly, there will be a host of issues that will hurt your furry friends.

Can a baby hamster be taken away from its mother?

Touching the babies is a big mistake, when they’re so young. A baby hamster can only be removed from his mother after 3-4 weeks, and can be given for adoption immediately after. You will notice the mother has weaned them when she pushes them away after they try to nurse from her.

How long does it take a Syrian hamster to give birth?

In a nutshell: Pregnancy lasts for 16-17 days in Syrian hamsters. The female gives birth to 5-15 babies, known as hamster pups. The pups are born blind and naked but quickly grow to become energetic young hamsters which need to be separated from the mother once they turn four weeks old.