Why Do Hamsters Eat Their Babies? And How To Save Them

It sounds like a horror story, but it’s a reality that sometimes happens—mother hamsters eating their babies. While it’s never easy to witness, understanding why this occurs can help prevent it and give the babies a better chance of survival.

Reasons Why Hamsters Eat Their Babies

Hamsters, unlike humans, are not emotionally attached to their young in the same way. Several factors can lead a mother hamster to eat her babies:

• Stress or Feeling Threatened: Constantly checking on the mother and her litter can stress her out, making her feel unsafe.
• Limited Space: A cramped cage can make the mother feel that there isn’t enough room for both her and her babies.
• Hunger: After giving birth, a mother hamster might be extremely hungry and, in desperate cases, might mistake her babies for food.
• Accidental Harm: Sometimes, while trying to move or store her babies in her cheeks, she might accidentally harm or even eat them.
• Perceived Defects: If the mother senses that something is wrong with a baby (such as illness or a physical defect), she might eat it, thinking it won’t survive.
• Changed Scent: If you or someone else touches the babies, altering their scent, the mother might not recognize them as her own.
• Presence of the Father: Male hamsters can also eat their young, especially if they’re still in the cage with the mother and babies.

How to Save the Hamster Babies from Being Eaten

While it’s not always possible to save every baby, there are several steps you can take to reduce the chances of the mother eating them:

Do Not Stress the Mother

Stress is the leading cause of a mother hamster eating her babies. The key is to leave the mother alone, especially as her due date approaches (18-22 days after mating). Give her extra food, bedding, and nesting material, and ensure she has a quiet, undisturbed environment. Avoid interacting with the mother or the babies immediately after birth.

Provide Extra Food and Protein

After the mother gives birth, she’ll need extra nutrition to regain her strength. Offering her protein-rich foods, like cooked egg whites or plain chicken, can help. However, be careful not to leave strong-smelling food in the cage before she gives birth, as this might confuse her.

Ensure She Has Plenty of Space

A large cage is essential for a hamster mother and her litter. The minimum size should be 24 x 12 inches and 12 inches tall, but larger is always better, especially for a mother with a large litter. If you have multiple hamsters in one cage, separate the mother into her own cage before she gives birth.

Avoid Disturbing the Mother for Two Weeks After Birth

The first two weeks after birth are crucial. During this time, avoid opening the cage, changing the bedding, or handling the mother or the babies. Interfering too much can stress the mother, leading her to harm her young.

Do Not Touch the Babies Until They Are Weaned

Handling the babies before they are weaned (3-4 weeks old) can cause the mother to reject them due to the change in their scent. Wait until the mother has fully weaned the babies before touching or handling them.

Separate the Father

If the father is still in the cage with the mother and babies, remove him immediately. Male hamsters are not nurturing and might harm or eat the babies. Additionally, separating the male prevents further pregnancies, as hamsters can mate immediately after birth.

When You Can’t Save the Babies

Despite your best efforts, there may be times when you can’t prevent the mother from eating some of her babies. This can happen due to accidents, such as the mother biting too hard when moving the babies or mistakenly storing them in her cheeks. Sometimes, the mother might kill the babies if she perceives something is wrong with them.

How to Tell if Your Hamster Is Pregnant

Hamsters have a short gestation period, lasting only 18-22 days. Signs of pregnancy include a noticeable increase in the mother’s size, increased appetite, and nesting behavior. As the due date approaches, the mother may become more irritable and seek hidden corners to prepare for giving birth. If you suspect your hamster is pregnant, separate her from any cage mates and prepare a large, comfortable space for her.

About Hamster Fertility and Breeding

Hamsters can breed frequently, with females going into heat every few days. Baby hamsters can mate as soon as they are weaned at 3-4 weeks old, so it’s essential to separate males and females to prevent further pregnancies. Identifying the sex of your hamsters and separating them accordingly is crucial to managing their breeding.

Conclusion

While the idea of a mother hamster eating her babies is distressing, understanding the reasons behind it can help you take steps to prevent it. By providing a stress-free environment, adequate space, and proper nutrition, you can significantly reduce the chances of this happening. Remember, hamsters grow up quickly, so keep them separated by sex to avoid surprise litters.