Hamster mom taking babies on the wheel?

Question

my hamster had babies four days ago, and she put them in her mouth and took them o her wheel! is this normal? is she trying to hurt or kill them?

Answer 1

Remove the wheel from cage rightaway!

She is not trying to hurt or kill them, she is actually trying to protect them when she exercises but there have been cases when the mother had been busily exercising and the young ones had fallen out and died due to getting hit by the rotating wheel.

Please be very careful when you put your hands into the cage to remove the wheel. You should not disturb the mother or the babies, your hands should not touch the babies even accidentally. Human touch on babies gives an alien smell to babies and the mother can hurt them due to change of smell.

You can put the wheel back in the cage when the babies are three weeks old since that is the time they will also enjoy using the wheel. Make sure that the wheel is the moulded type and does not have spokes or gaps in it.

Until then, if the mother is ready to come out of the cage, you can exercise her in her hamsterball every evening. It will also give her a much needed break from baby caring. However if you are unable to take her out without disturbing the babies or if she seems stressed about coming out of the cage, don't do it.

Answer 2

dont worry, rodents like guinea pigs, rats and hamsters will only eat their young if they are not going to survive or she feels they are in danger.shes probable just moving them to what she thinks s a safer place, don't worry. good luck

Answer 3

yes it is normal they like to do that so that they could get used to the things around them

Answer 4

I would have to say that is a weird behavior. and i would like to tell you this without scaring you but it is possible that she is misstreating them to .. well .. rid of them..alot of hamsters even eat there young sadly. if you wanted to you could always call your local pet store they re usually good with answering questions like this

good luck

Answer 5

Probably just trying to take them with here where ever she goes. Maybe she is very protective? :D

Answer 6

Be careful with that.  

I had a hamster when I was a kid, and the hamster decided to get preggers in the store before I brought it home.

A week later, I came home to find a bunch of little hamsters and one big hamster.

The big hamster proceeded to eat all but two of its young.  It was quite disgusting.

So you see, there are some really messed up hamster moms out there, and I would certainly keep an eye on that hamster if I were you.  A hamster eating its own young is a whole bag of wrong.

Answer 7

In nature animals try 2 take their babies out for exercize & 2 get used 2 the surrounding, maybe she is trying 2 help? it sounds normal but u can always call a petstore and ask.

Answer 8

I wouldnt let it do that!!!!!. the pups could shift in their mother and develop a disorder, or get brain damage.If you see it doing it take the hamster wheel out  before it gets hurt. i hope this helps