3 replies to this topic

[HamieLily]

Earlier I just saw my hamster mother eating her baby and the pups is already 2 weeks and 1 day old and I'm wondering if I can already seperate the pups and the mother since I already saw the pups eating

[lil BIG dwarf]

Do you mean you’ve already seen the pups eating food independently of the mother? Syrian hamsters are completely weaned at three weeks, and still need to learn life skills from their mother for survival until 4 weeks minimum. You could attempt trying to hand rear them (a very difficult process that takes a lot of time and may mean taking off work/school), but the mother hamster has instinct on her side, and will only cull (eat) the pups if she knows she can’t provide for them/they likely won’t survive. Did she eat all of them or only one?

[Sparrow]

Hamsters eyes only open at two weeks, they will need their mother until they are at least 4 weeks old. If the mother culled/ate one of her pups, she must have had a reason for it. Whether it be stress, lack of space, outside noise, pup being sick, her noticing you looking into the cage... There are endless reasons and no way for you to know why she did what she did. It's quite rare to see a hamster cull pups who's eyes have already opened but it does happen. The best thing you can do is leave her and her pups alone, they still need their mother. Try to reduce any kind of stress in the room she's in and hopefully no more pups will be culled.

[Kikya]

Earlier I just saw my hamster mother eating her baby and the pups is already 2 weeks and 1 day old and I'm wondering if I can already seperate the pups and the mother since I already saw the pups eating

The pup might have already been sick or dead. Dead animals bring other animals to scavenge. That's the last thing mama hamster wants. Hamster mothers don't just eat their babies because you peaked in at them. It's because she's trying to protect the rest of the babies. Just make sure she has plenty of food (fresh and seed mix) and water. Don't blame yourself because it's just nature taking it's course. Don't separate them from mama or they will die.

Edited by Kikya, 25 April 2022 - 09:05 PM.