Help! Dwarf hamster runt!

[LittleElvis]

Ok, so I have a lot of experience with breeding dwarf hamsters but there has never been a runt in one of the litters until now! He is much smaller than his siblings and thinner too, on the bright side he is usually in good spirits and waddles around the cage with the rest of them, he is 15 days old. I give them cucumbers to make sure that they get enough liquids and he seems to be eating well enough. Is there anything else I can do?

[Pompompoms]

Oh bless him, it does sound like he's doing really well. I think as long as he is eating and drinking enough he should hopefully be ok, he may well catch up a lot in size too eventually. You can try to give him some extra protein foods, offer him anything first, and leave enough for everyone so that little one can take his fill without siblings taking it all away.

Fingers crossed for the little guy

[GemmasMom]

It sounds like your little one has beat the odds so far I agree with pompoms! Carley is my little runt, but she used to be the troublemaker! I (still) give Carley 1st choice on the food although she just perfers to keep her slim figure I guess! I'm glad she gets first pick of the mix though, so that she can have as much of it and whichever pieces she wants.

[Lynternette]

Not a hammie I know but my Yorkie was the runt. His brothers and sisters were easily twice as big as he was. He's twice their size now and is no shrinking violet.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Originally Posted by Lynternette

Not a hammie I know but my Yorkie was the runt. His brothers and sisters were easily twice as big as he was. He's twice their size now and is no shrinking violet.

Same goes for my parents dog Hector
He's way bigger than his sister Angela now they're adults lol

[LittleElvis]

Thank you so much for the replies! I'm keeping a watchful eye on him! He hasn't gained much weight but still eats about as much as the others. Hopefully he will start to catch up. Their cage is pretty big and the food bowl too, so he hasn't gotten bullied at all which is very good. Any good high protein food ideas are well appreciated!

[Lynternette]

My dwarfies adored meal worms.

[LittleElvis]

Here is a photo attachment that I took today. He is the tiny one in the middle!
I also weighed them today at 19 days old, he was only 9 grams while the others were from 11-13 grams.

[GemmasMom]

LOL awwwwwww does he have a name yet? He reminds me so much of my little Carley. She hangs just fine with the "big girls" Although, their size difference isn't nearly as big anymore!

[Lynternette]

Another Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. So tiny, so perfect and so beautiful.