Information about Newborn Hamsters

In the 1930s, several litters of hamsters were imported to Israel for the purpose of scientific research. In 1938 these animals were introduced to the United States, where they quickly caught on as pets. These furry animals are often called pocket pets because of their small size, according to the Hilltop Animal Hospital.

  1. Hamster Breeding

    • Female dwarf hamsters can be bred when they are between 3 and 4 months old. They are sociable, and the male and female can be paired together in cages. The females give birth to between six and eight babies after a 3-week gestation period. Larger breeds of hamsters are less sociable. The females are territorial and will attack a male if it is placed in her cage, so it is advisable to place them both in neutral areas. The female should be removed immediately after breeding and returned to her own cage, according to Animal World. The female can give birth to as many as 20 babies in a litter.

    Newborn Hamster Information

    • Newborn hamsters are entirely dependent upon their mother when they are born. They are tiny and hairless, and although they are born with teeth, their eyes and ears are closed. They begin to grow hair when they are around 8 days old, and their eyes can open at any time within the first 2 weeks. They can eat solid food when they are about a week old, according to Exotic Pet Vet.

    Female Behavior while Nursing

    • A female hamster can take care of her babies without human assistance and may become aggressive if she feels that her babies are threatened. Young mother hamsters or first-time mothers may eat their offspring. On occasion a mother will kill some of the babies to thin out their numbers if there are too many or if some of the babies are weak or sick. In addition, Ask the Vet warns that if the cage is disturbed while the babies are still dependent upon their mother, she may turn on them and eat them.

    Health Conditions

    • The Hamster Club indicates that a bacterial infection called wet tail is a common hamster illness. This disease can cause uncontrollable diarrhea and dehydration. Several other ailments that can affect hamsters are constipation, diabetes, respiratory infections and bladder stones.

    Caring for Adult Hamsters

    • Hamsters need a solid-bottomed cage or aquarium. To avoid fighting, unwanted breeding or territorial issues, they should be caged by themselves rather than in pairs or groups. Hamsters will need a substrate of wood shavings or tissue paper that they can burrow into. Their water should be changed daily. The bedding needs to be changed and the cage should be cleaned once a week, according to the Hilltop Animal Hospital.