Diet of a Young Ham/ Pup

climber008 · 01-24-2017, 08:02 PM

Hi everyone!

Today I went in to the pet store to purchase some fish supplies, but I was stopped dead in my tracks by a HUGE litter of at least twelve black hamster pups and their mum.

It is extremely difficult to find non-aggressive female hamsters in my area, so I knew I had to take a peek at the group, especially since my only remaining girl passed away about a week ago.

And now I've wrangled myself into taking home a tiny, healthy baby girl (We are almost 100% sure she's a girl) ham. She even jumped into my hand and acted as if she knew me all of her short life.

The question is: What do young hamsters like her need for nutrition and as a staple diet?

According to the pet store manager, the pups were born shortly after Christmas. So they are approximately four weeks old?

I know this is about time for boys to be separated from mum and their sisters, but I'm not exactly sure what other details I should know. I've given her a bunch of seed mix and lab blocks, but I'm seriously contemplating whipping up a batch of egg with carrot and brocoli...or at least some tofu for her as well.

I just don't want to rush it, as I don't think she ever had anything like that as a pup. And I DON'T want her to get an upset tummy. She just seems slightly thinner than I would think is a healthy weight, and she measures in at around 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

Any advice? Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

Drago · 01-24-2017, 08:34 PM

I'm not super experienced with young hams as the youngest I've raised up were 8 weeks+, but I think a TINY sliver of tofu wouldn't hurt to give your hamster. Too much will, as you said, cause stomach upset so introduce it slowly. My vet has always recommended extra protein supplementation for hams under 6 months old because they're small, young, and still growing and thus need the extra nutritional boost that protein provides. Your little one sounds so tiny and precious, enjoy having her around!

cypher · 01-24-2017, 10:58 PM

Small pieces of tofu are good for young hams & it shouldn't upset her stomach at all, just begin with a tiny piece then increase it gradually if you think she needs it, even a tiny piece of chicken should be fine. Those are probably the best sources of extra protein.
If she's managing her mix or blocks ok then she will probably with those extras she should grow & gain some weight.
Introduce any veggies very slowly, maybe a tiny piece of cucumber, one day then try something else a few days later if she's ok with that.

climber008 · 01-25-2017, 07:59 AM

Okay, thanks so much Drago and cypher!

I was thinking that tofu was probably my best bet. The pet store manager said that the hamster has had romaine lettuce before, but I was searching for an option with protein.

I'll probably give her (maybe him?) some tofu today.

CMB · 01-25-2017, 10:00 AM

If the lab blocks are big. It might be easier for your hamster to eat them if they are broken into smaller pieces.

climber008 · 01-25-2017, 01:46 PM

@CMB Oh! that's a really good point! I'll try breaking them up into smaller pieces!

@everyone I just found out from the pet store employee that was actively in charge of the hamsters that the baby is actually only three weeks old?

This concerns me a wee bit, as I don't know if they were supposed to be separated from mum that soon. And now I'm even more confused and boggled about what to feed. Is tofu still fine? Or do I need to feed something else?

What about veggies or yogurt or anything like that? Again, I don't want to upset the baby's tummy, but I want to make sure she/he is getting the proper nutrition.

cypher · 01-26-2017, 01:04 AM

Tofu is still fine, you could try softening some of the blocks with warm water to make a bit of a mash as a baby that young may struggle a bit to eat them but keep giving some hard food too.

ladyntramp002 · 01-26-2017, 10:00 PM

Climber asked me to udate this page.

She wants to let you guys know that the baby ham is 20 grams.

Is that an okay weight for a ham that is around 3 weeks? Or do we need to fatten him up a bit? And if so, what do you recommend?

CMB · 01-27-2017, 09:29 AM

Have a look at some of the threads regarding baby hamsters/breeding and see what the babies are eating at a similar age.

climber008 · 01-27-2017, 06:17 PM

Hmm..

Some concerning news about Keroppi (that's what we're calling him? for now.)

He/she seems to be having some soft poo which I have been wiping off his bum with a cotton swab. I have discontinued use of every single food except his lab blocks which were the same brand that they were giving him at the pet store.

Even though they are definitely not the best stand-alone diet, I am giving only that to him for now. I'm really concerned because I lost a ham a year ago to a wet tail situation.

He's not having uncontrollable diarrhea, but it is still very concerning since he is so young!

Please could someone give me advice on what to do? I'm not really sure if there is anything other than discontinuing all other foods, but I am just so worried!

This only seemed to happen since this morning. I did end up giving him some tofu the night before and a tiny bit of romaine lettuce, but he only ate the tofu.