Help: Russian Dwarf of Four Attacked Her Pups?!

GarthNixZozo · 10-14-2015, 02:03 AM

So, a couple of days ago, I happened to get a family of Russian Campbell Dwarf hamsters. A male, a female and four pups. Three of which are Albino. They came from a pet store, first of all, and this is my first time being the caregiver of such little guys in a very long while. So, please forgive my nativity. I've come to learn as much as I can, as quickly as I can.

Thanks to some friends and the internet, it's been assumed that the mother is actually pregnant with another litter, and the pups that I've adopted can be assumed to be around 2 - 4 weeks old. Their eyes are open, they eat on their own, they drink water, groom themselves and play fight from time to time. Though I've also noticed that they're weening, as the mother doesn't feed them breast milk and will ignore them if they attempt to suckle her on their own.

Now, here's the thing...

I was told that since the pups are older and somewhat more independent, that it should be safe enough for me to start handling them. (They have their own soft, thin coat of fur as well.) So, about a day or so ago, I carefully would hold and touch all of them as well as the father -who is much more tame than the mother- and then place them back again without any further complications. However, today, I didn't hold the daddy as well, and when I put them back, the mother literally squeaked and lunged at whichever pup was closest to her; pinning it under her belly with arms wrapped around tight. It freaked me out and I immediately pushed her off and took the baby away to be placed in a smaller, cardboard box which I happen to have in my room. Unfortunately, she did this this two more times over the next few moments, with each time leading to a similar, near heart attack of my own.

They're in a separate box now, but I'm honestly terrified for them... I don't have an extra cage, water dispenser and food dish lying around. I'm new to this and just trying my best to figure things out as I go. But I don't want to endanger the lives of any of the litter creatures trying to survive in this already cruel enough world.

What can I do...? I don't want to risk her attacking them again.

Any advice or help or anything would be very much appreciated and extremely helpful, thanks.

souffle · 10-14-2015, 02:32 AM

It sounds as if mum is near to birthing and any upset will cause her to reject the pups. She will want to drive them out now possibly especially with all the upset of a move.
You can't keep them together now or you will have endless pups. You need to get two boxes - large plastic storage boxes will do. Take dad out NOW with any male pups and place him in one and put the female pups in another. Leave mum in the cage to prepare for the new litter. They dont need much for now to tide you over - just shavings, ripped up loo roll, some cardboard tubes and boxes and plenty good food. A small bowl will do fine for water just now. You really must separate the sexes as the pups will interbreed from around 4-5 weeks. I'd start trying to home them now in single sex pairs. Post some pics if you need help sexing them. Only females have nipple lines

peasypea · 10-14-2015, 02:55 AM

Wow, poor little babies! Sounds as though its time for them to leave the nest so to speak, in the wild babies wouldn't stay with the mum once they are ready to go off (about 4 weeks I believe, from my hamster book) and so she's telling them to go (but they can't!). They pups definitely need to be separated and into different sex groups as well or you'll end up with even more pups.
Mum and Dad also need to be separated as she will most likely attack him too.
I'm so surprised the pet store sold you hamsters like this - it's not your fault as you didn't know, but they definitely should have known better. Now you are going to end up having loads of cages to keep them all in!

Shannonmcn · 10-14-2015, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peasypea

I'm so surprised the pet store sold you hamsters like this - it's not your fault as you didn't know, but they definitely should have known better. Now you are going to end up having loads of cages to keep them all in!

Same, the level of negligence for the store to give you all these hams with no information is staggering. I am so upset for you! You've done your best so far and you've done THE best thing coming to get some advice.

I recommend you go out and find 2-3 big storage bins like souffle says, you know the tall plastic ones that usually come with lids? They are perfect for homemade cages and so long as they're tall enough you don't need to cut any bits out for ventilation or anything, you just leave the lids off. Google "bin cage" for an idea of what I mean. Not sure where you are but if you're in the UK I know Tesco sell them, if you're in the US I know Walmart will have some and no matter where you are IKEA will have them. Just grab the biggest ones you can find and get them separated and in there. You can google "sexing dwarf hamsters" for some guidance and of course you can post pictures here.

Good luck with all of this mess, I hope you can get them all split up in time!

Nancy's Hamsters · 10-14-2015, 10:04 AM

You've been given all the information possible only thing else is in a real need for cages this is one time if you can look on Craigslist of Preloved pending what country your in and ask for free cages it would help if you can't afford more bins. for an emergency even a free critter trail or Habi trail cage will help temporarily.

This could also just be a Mom wanting to be alone as Amissa a mostly WW hybrid who was rescued from a horrible situation a a Pet store near me, was a wonderful mother to 4 lovely pups just 48 hours of arriving home with me. All was going very well, pups flourished, and when eyes opened tamed very quickly.

I was about to place them in their own bin cage when I found to my horrors all four pups ripped to pieces. They were just 4 weeks old when this occurred and I have no idea what triggered Amissa to attack, kill, and rip apart her pups. Amissa is still doing fine and is a happy hamster here with me but if I can find a nice new owner for her she will be re-homed so she can have one on one attention and be spoiled rotten like she deserves.

So I think you did best with this situation you are in by removing the pups from your Mom. Though in your Mom's case it is most likely new mouths to feed are coming very soon. This is a long shot but can you inquire of the store that sold the pups for assistance with two cages since they sold you a whole family and gave not one bit of advice on how to tend them? Though too small to keep them permanently a 10 gallon tank would work short term.