Top Reasons Why Hamsters Sometimes Eat Their Babies

It can be quite traumatic to discover that your hamster has eaten their young. Even though we don’t know why there is always a reason in nature. Although hamsters are sensitive to their offspring’s health and can do many good things, they can also be stressed out.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is possible to try to understand why. Stress factors, litter size, and smells could be the root causes of mom’s behavior. Let’s look at what could have happened.

A little bit about Hamsters and Their Younglings

Hamsters, like most rodents, become pregnant quickly. Hamsters can reproduce as young as 10 weeks. There are as few as three babies and as many as twenty! It all depends on the species of hamster and how many eggs the mother produces.

A hamster’s pregnancy can last from 16 to 22 days depending on its breed. Babies are born blind, deaf, and immobile. They are sexually mature by four weeks. They don’t stay for very long. The hardest part is getting through the first few weeks.

How to tell if your hamster is pregnant

Hamsters can become pregnant once per month. You’ll have a litter if you have both the male and female sexes.

Here are some signs that you might be pregnant if you aren’t sure.

• A growing abdomen
• A slight personality change
• Protected body language
• Temperamental, but not unusual

You don’t have to have a litter of puppies if you don’t want them.

Understanding Motherhood of Hamsters

Hamsters are naturally great mothers. It’s an innate talent. Some mothers are temperamental in raising their children. While they are pregnant or nursing, they may not be able to be touched, held, or petted.

This behavior is normal and normal. Respect the boundaries of the female and wait until she is comfortable again.

You could take care of the pups yourself if mom rejects them. You can help them get through their first weeks of life since hamsters are so fast growing. If something is truly wrong, you might not be able to stop it.

There is a reason your mother’s hamster ate all or some of her babies. This phenomenon can be caused by hormones or interference. Here are the main causes.

1. Your Hamster Doesn’t Have the Right Food

A mother hamster that is lactating needs to be fed a balanced diet. Her milk is used to feed multiple babies, so she needs proper nutrition. A mom might feed a pup if she has a problem with her nutrition.

While pregnant or nursing, mothers need to eat a lot more protein.

Your hamster can be fed lots of food:

• boiled eggs
• Mealworm
• Unseasoned beef or chicken

They also require lots of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients like:

• Apples
• Pears
• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Romaine lettuce
• Dandelion greens
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Tops of Carrot

Hydration is also important for milk production. You should ensure that the mother has plenty of water. Water should be changed at least once a day.

2. A Baby is Not Healthy

Sometimes, baby hamsters may have underlying health issues that we are not aware of. Baby hamsters will sometimes reject any food that the mother suspects is not right for them. Sometimes, however, they may eat it to remove it from the litter.

There could be many potential issues, ranging from genetic defects to illnesses. While mothers might not always feed their babies, they are likely to care for them. Animals are instinctually wired to take care of only those they know will thrive. It is the survival of the fittest.

3. Mother Feels overwhelmed by Litter Size

Hamsters can have as many as 20 puppies in one litter, although this is not common. This can prove to be quite a stressful experience. Moms who feel overwhelmed or incapable of caring for their children might resort to eating a few to help thin them out. This is not an act of aggression or malice. It’s just survival.

The mother knows that she cannot provide enough nutrition for all her children. Hamsters have only 12 nipples. If she has too many, she may keep the ones she considers the most healthy and throw away the rest.

4. She is trying to protect them

Mothers who feel threatened or unsure about their surroundings might be trying to save their pups. She might do this if she fears that her children will be taken advantage of.

Although it is unlikely, this scenario is possible. It could be that a cat is lingering, or there may be lots of noise and chaos, which could trigger their fear-seeking instincts. They might even eat all of the litter if this happens.

5. Mother Stressed Out

A mother hamster could eat her babies if she has stress hormones. She might not be comfortable in her environment or feel secure. She may eat her babies if she is feeling stressed or afraid.

You should make sure they are kept in a calm, quiet area. This will prevent them from being disturbed by outside noises. This is all new for her. It’s important to ensure that they have a safe environment free from triggers.

6. Scent has changed

Baby animals should not be handled immediately. Mothers are extremely sensitive to the smells of their babies. The rejection or worse can be caused by premature handling. Animals are very interested in different emissions, even though you might not be aware of it.

It is dangerous to handle babies under 3 weeks of age. The mom might reject the baby and even eat it. Worse, she might abandon the whole litter. You should keep your children, family members, and friends away from the litter until they are ready.

7. Motherhood’s First Time

Some creatures have a motherly instinct, but not all. Some animals skip over others, while others aren’t sure how to approach motherhood. Your hamster might not be able to deal with all the changes happening in their bodies if they are young and inexperienced.

They might struggle to understand the process after having their litter. Mothers who aren’t experienced or lack natural maternal instincts may eat their babies.

8. Accidental killing

The baby might have been accidentally killed by the hamster. Mother hamsters may suffocate their babies while nursing. Unintentionally, they may injure or even kill the puppies by moving their mouths.

They might even eat their baby if they mistakenly killed it. This is not a sign of a hormonal imbalance, stress, or intuition. It was unintentional. The mom is now cleaning up the mess.

9. Perhaps It wasn’t Mom

If you keep multiple females in the same cage or leave the father alone, it might not have been the mother. As a territorial act, some hamsters will eat the young of other hamsters. Fathers can be guilty as well.

Mothers should be able to spend time alone with their children until they are a bit older. It is important to socialize your pups so they don’t get separated for too long. The first few weeks can be very difficult.

How to Prevent This Behavior

Sometimes the harsh truth is that nature is what it is and there is nothing you can do about it. However, you don’t have to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again.

These are some things to remember:

• You should not touch the babies before the mother has finished weaning. You could make the mother reject your baby if you touch them before she is ready. You shouldn’t touch the babies until they are at least 3-4 weeks old.
• You need to make sure mom gets a balanced diet. Because she’s feeding the whole litter, her body needs to be replenished. Unwanted behaviors can result from her body being deficient. Make sure that she has enough fresh water, pellets, fruits, and vegetables, as well as the right amount of pellets and fruits.
• You should be very attentive to her behavior. You may be able to spot signs that something isn’t right with mom. You might also notice her picking out a puppy. You should seek advice from your primary veterinarian if you notice that she is trying to rescue a pup.
• You should make sure that the cage is comfortable and clean. This is not an easy task, but it will be easier than you think. You have to ensure they don’t live in filth. While mothers are good at keeping their whelping area clean, the entire cage should be.
• Separate the mother from any other hamsters. You can have a lot of conflicts if you keep a mother and her puppies with other hamsters. There is a lot of stress and agitation in this situation, which can lead to fighting and threatening behavior.
• Do not allow small children to handle your baby and mom. Children will be thrilled to see the cute cage additions if you have them. Children shouldn’t be allowed to touch babies without supervision. You should wait until your children can touch the baby’s hair.
• The mom should be given nesting materials and safe spaces to wean her babies. Start giving the materials to her to make her nest a few days before she is due. This will make her feel secure and allow her to create her own area for her children’s education.

These things can sometimes be inevitable. However, being prepared and taking precautions are key to a successful litter.

Last Thoughts

Even though it may hurt your heart, different animals have different instinctual reactions to having babies. It may be difficult to understand the reasons your hamster killed their baby, no matter what the cause. Although it seems cruel and vicious, it’s not.

Your best option is to do your part and make your mom’s life easier. Make sure she has plenty of water and food. In the first few weeks, try to be as minimally disruptive as possible. You will hopefully be able to resolve the problem and prevent another offense.