Will Hamsters foster baby mice?

[Sensei3456]

I'm not sure exactly what part of the forum this would be posted in, I figured the general section would be a good bet. I apologize if its posted in wrong section.

So I found an orphaned baby mouse today while I was at work and decided I would at least attempt to take care of it hopefully save the little fella. Looks to be around 6 -10 days old after comparing it to some online photos. Eyes are still closed, but it has fur.

After getting the mouse home, and settled into a cage, formula made and fed. I had the idea of trying to use one of my female hamsters to possibly act as a foster mother, as both are rodents of sorts.

Wanting not to have any harm come to the baby I have looked all over trying to find if its been done and have found nothing for a hamster foster parent to a mouse. Found a few things on mice fostering hamsters but nothing for the opposite and was wondering if anyone may have tried this or know about this?

I'm trying to find a way that I can still provide food every two hours while I am working and thought this may be an option but would like to get any help possible with it as I have zero experience trying to care for a baby rodent.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Is the mouse a wild mouse? If so I would strongly advise to not allow it anywhere near your hamster as they can sadly transfer illnesses that can cause harm to your hamster. A mouse pup this young may have been abandon by the mother because she knew it was sick.

Absolutely do NOT place the wee Mouse in with a hamster as they will quickly kill it, Especially if a Syrian. Mice and Hamsters are not normal friends even in the wild and usually it is the mouse that gets the worst end of the deal.

If you can't hand raise the mouse then perhaps you might try to locate a wildlife sanctuary that can take over the mouse.

[Pebbles82]

Mice can pass Tyzer's disease to hamsters which is nasty. I think it's lovely you've rescued this mouse, but I think it will do fine on it's own in a cage with you as it's Mum! Someone on here recently (Panda) had a baby hamster they brought up on its own successfully. Aside from diseases one is likely to attack and kill the other.

[Ceretrea]

I would say it's very risky to the mouse as a hamster mum is far more likely to cull it I'm afraid. If it's big enough you can try to hand feed it or you can ask around for a rat or mouse foster mum. Pet rats foster baby mice quite well as long as their own pups aren't too big. Be aware that a foster mum has to have a litter, about to have a litter or not long off a litter to produce milk usually.

[Sensei3456]

Thank you very much, I've decided to just try hand raising. Thank you for the input people

[Pebbles82]

I'm sure you'll do a grand job hand raising it! And the little mouse will get quite a bond with you