My hamster just had babies

I really thought my hamster was a male and it had been acting really weird today and I just went to check on it and moved some of the bedding in its cage and theres like 5 little babies. I don't know what to do with them. I have never had a hamster give birth before. I just thought it was fat because it doesn't run on the wheel. I am so freaked out right now. Does anyone have hamsters and know what to do? I am going to look up some stuff online, I would just like to talk to someone who has been through this before.

The momma should take care of them herself without a problem. They'll likely eat the same food momma eats when they are old enough.

If they are the same as mice and rats, you'll need to seperate them at 4-5 weeks of age, as thats when they can reach sexual materity. Seperate male by female. I'm not sure if they develop the same as mice and rats though.

Good luck!

When they are ready to leave, I might be interested in taking one or two! LOL. Just have to do some talking to with my mum.

That would be great if you would want one or two. If they look anything like their mom they will be really cute.

Hiya, just did some googling.


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Hamsters can reach sexual maturation between 6-8 weeks if males, and from as young as a month if female.-----

Hungry pregnant/nursing moms and a whole litter of babies will eat a lot of food! They also require fresh water at least twice a day, vitamin supplements, and special diets. Pregnant or nursing females and their young need a special diet rich in protein, veggies and carbohydrates. \t\t\t\t\t
Hamster Meat Loaf


This recipe is great for pregnant females, nursing females, babies, sick/weak hamsters, and elderly hamsters, or as an occasional treat for any hamster. (can be frozen for extended use)

1. 1 tbsp of plain Oats
2. 1/2 tbsp of low/fat free milk, or unflavored soy milk
3. 1/2 tbsp of quality canned puppy or kitten food (I use canned Science Diet Chicken Recipe Puppy Growth)
4. 1-2 drops of liquid vitamins specific for hamsters
5. 1/2 tbsp of shredded carrots and/or broccoli (or any other safe veggie)
6. a pinch of wheat germ
7. add some clear unflavored Pedialyte for additional hydration if desired

-----Baby hamsters are naked at birth and are born with their eyes closed. There eyes open at 5 days of age and they suckle their mothers milk until they are about 7 days old when they will start to eat solid food and drink water in the environment. Make sure that they can reach it easily, and avoid deep bowls of water, in case a baby falls in and cannot get out. The young can be weaned at 20-25 days of age - which means that they should be totally separated from their mother.
If a mother rejects her offspring hand rearing and attempts to foster the babies to other females are usually unsuccessful.
One unusual behavioural trait which is observed sometimes is frightened mothers protecting their young by putting them into the cheek pouche
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I hope this helps a little.

I had a female that turned out to be pregnant when I got her. Unfortunately she wasn't a very good mother. I did not touch the babies (or the mother, she was mean), the first one she suffocated by laying on it, another she ate. The remaining two she attacked at 10 days old. I removed the two babies, tended their wounds, and this may sound silly. But I was able to get pet formula in them with a mixture of bread crust and formula mush, served out of clean jar lids.
They grew up to be very sweet friendly boys. However they had white patches where their mother had attacked them do to scarring.

So suggestion, leave the mother alone, resist the urge to peek in at them. There are some rodent communities if you care to get more detail information on caring for them.

Thanks for the help. I have joined www.hamsterhideout.com to hopefully get some more help on what to do with the babies.

All as I know is that your not suppose to touch the babies or bother the mother, because that can trigger the mother to kill her young. Congrats on the new babies though. I hope everything goes well.