How to Feed Mothers-To-Be Hamsters

A female hamster preparing for birth require a plentiful diet full of protein-rich foods to nourish the up to 20 babies growing inside her. During the 16-day gestation period the female's abdomen will swell, her nipples will become engorged and her appetite will increase. In addition to her diet of hamster pellet foods and fresh water, mothers-to-be should be given tofu, milk, wheat germ and hard boiled eggs to boost protein intake. After the babies are born continue the protein rich diet while the mother hamster is nursing her young.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring spoons
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Tofu
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Shallow bowl
  • Milk
  • Water
  • Water bottle
  • Dry hamster pellet food
  • Scale (grams setting required)
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Barley
  • Peas
  • Wheat nuts
  • What germ
  • Oats
  • Bread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Chop a hard-boiled egg or fresh tofu into pea-sized chunks. Offer a teaspoon of the egg or tofu to pregnant, lactating or baby hamsters as a protein rich treat once every few days.

    • 2

      Fill a shallow dish with fresh, cold milk. Allow the mother and her young to lap the milk. If it is spilled, removed the milk-soaked bedding immediately. Remove the milk dish a few minutes after the hamsters have left it alone.

    • 3

      Offer fresh cold water in a hamster drinking bottle and a well-balanced commercially prepared hamster pellet diet with an 18 to 22 percent protein content. An adult female hamster will eat approximately 12 grams of dry hamster food per day.

    • 4

      Supplement the pregnant hamster's diet with treats of protein rich beans, corn, barley, peas, wheat nuts, wheat germ and oats. One or two pieces of these foods each day promotes tissue-building and growth for the fetuses inside pregnant hamsters.