Lost Hamster Litter?

Question
My daughter got a hamster two weeks ago and it gave birth to 8-9 pups on Sunday.  We are first time hamster owner so this is all new to us!  Three died and she pushed them to the corner of the cage Monday morning.  We removed them with a spoon so as not to disturb the rest of the litter.

We have not seen any of the remaining pups in the past two days.  Do you think she ate them?!  The hamster runs around her cage a lot and in the wheel.  My daughter has seen the hamster sleeping, but no pups around.  We're hesitant to disturb the cage in case the pups are in a hidden nest somewhere under newspaper.  Any advice?

Answer
Hi Ann,

it sounds as if you hamster was very young - did you get it straight from the petshop?

Some pet shops are rediculous and dont really know anything about the animals they are selling!

Hamsters should only be kept in with their same sex siblings - should be separated into Males and Females once they get to 6 or 7 weeks!

It sounds as if your hamster was still in with her brother too late!

As your hamster is so young it is probably too immature to cope with the responsibility of babies and will find it hard to know what to do because she is still only a baby herself.

You have done the right thing in removing the babies with a spoon - you could have left them in - she might have eaten the dead ones - disgusting, yes - but it is sometimes beneficial because it gives the mother back goodness to her body.

Unless you actually look into the nest by pulling away the bedding, you will probably not see the babies at all until about two or three weeks.

after about a week it is usually safe to have a quick look in the nest - but because you havent had her long she still may not trust you so it is probably best if you leave it until about 3 weeks.

She might have already eaten them or they could have all died but inless you look into the nest you woint be able to know.

Another way of knowing is by listening very closesly when the mother leaves the nest - baby hamsters chirp and you can sometimes hear them when the mother leaves the nest.

Hope i have been helpful - please let me know if need any more info.

Kind Regards,

Tammy