Hamsters are mammals which means that mother hamsters produce milk to feed their little babies.
But often I, like many other owners, wonder if you can milk a hamster, so I did some research on this topic, and here’s what I discovered.
Can you milk a hamster?
Hamsters cannot produce milk like other mammals, in fact they cannot produce any milk products. If you still try to express milk from a hamster, then you can only injure him and cause him stress.
In today’s article you will learn why hamsters cannot produce milk, why they do not have the capacity to produce milk, as well as similar questions related to the topic.
Can you milk a hamster?
Once the pregnancy is over, hamsters only produce milk to feed their little babies. Although hamsters have nipples, this does not mean that they can produce milk, so you should not try to do so at all.
If you accidentally try to milk a hamster, you can only injure your pet, and cause stress, fear, and unnecessary discomfort.
Technically, it is still possible to milk the hamster, but in reality, you will not get much milk from it. For one glass of milk you will need many hamsters, so don’t try it at all.
Hamsters have nipples, which they need to make it easier for small babies to drink milk.
By drinking milk, which is necessary for small hamsters, the mother hamster feeds them and helps the faster development and growth of her babies.
Why are hamsters not suitable for milking?
Hamsters are very small animals and therefore they do not have enough natural resources to produce milk.
Even if hamsters could be milked it would be too difficult due to their small size, handling them for milking would be problematic.
Obviously, mother nature did not intend for these little pets to be able to milk, which is still best for their health.
Hamsters do not have the capacity to produce milk
Hamsters produce milk only to be able to feed their baby, they are not able to produce larger amounts of milk.
Hamsters are not like other animals such as cows and goats that are raised to produce milk and dairy products.
However, even the small amount of milk they produce is quite enough to feed their babies and their nutritional needs.
Milking hamsters is not ethical
Milking hamsters is not only impractical, but also unethical.
If you try to milk a hamster, you can only hurt your pet, cause him stress and fear, which is not worth the small amount of milk that you may manage to milk.
Hamsters are meant to be kept as pets and milking them should not be attempted at all.
What are the nutritional components of milk from mother hamsters?
The milk produced by mother hamsters is rich in many proteins and fats, but also contains other nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and others.
All these nutrients help for better and faster development and growth of baby hamsters.
Sometimes the baby hamsters are given cow’s milk, which can be a substitute for the milk from the mother hamster.
But we must emphasize that cow’s milk cannot be a frequent alternative because it can cause health problems, such as diarrhea and other problems with the stomach and digestive system.
If you are forced to give cow’s milk to your little hamsters then you must be careful about the amount and monitor the condition of the hamster.
If you notice any side effects of cow’s milk in small hamsters, it is necessary to immediately consult a veterinarian for further steps.
Is the milk from mother hamsters available for sale?
Milk from mother hamsters is not commonly found for sale, but it can still be found, but is a little more difficult.
You can find places on the internet where you can buy hamster milk.
You can also try to find milk from a mother hamster in pet stores, where among other types of milk you can also find hamster milk.
Hamster milk can also be found among some farmers who produce cow’s milk, although this is still not very common.
If you decide to buy hamster milk, you should pay attention to the expiration date because usually this kind of milk cannot be stored for a long time, especially if it is not kept in the refrigerator.
Read more: Can Hamsters Drink Milk? Benefits and Risks
Which milk is best for hamsters?
Hamsters are lactose intolerant, they have serious problems if they drink milk or eat dairy products.
Hamsters have a delicate digestive system, so care must be taken with the milk you give your little hamsters.
The best milk, besides mother’s milk of course, for small baby hamsters is soy milk.
Soy milk has advantages over other kinds of milk because it does not contain lactose. It is easily digested in the body of hamsters and will be much easier for them to process in the digestive system.
We should mention that soy milk also contains excellent nutrients that will help the growth and proper development of small hamsters.
Read more: How to Make Porridge for Your Hamsters? Let’s Find Out
How long do hamsters feed their babies?
Syrian hamsters are nursed by their mother for 20 days when they are babies, but it is not usual for them to be nursed by their mother for 26-28 days after their birth.
While dwarf hamsters are weaned earlier from nursing by their mother, or they nurse for about 20 days.
After 20 days, the little baby hamsters no longer need milk from the mother and can start eating food like all other hamsters.
FAQs
Can hamsters drink goat’s milk?
Hamsters can drink goat’s milk, because it is good for their health, and at the same time, it does not have a lot of fat. However, despite the fact that goat’s milk is good, it is best to give moderate amounts to your hamsters.
Can hamsters drink coconut milk?
Hamsters can drink coconut milk, which will improve their heart health and strengthen their immunity. Be careful with the amount, because if they drink a lot of this milk, they can get diarrhea.
What can hamsters drink?
The best drink for hamsters is water, of course always give them fresh and clean drinking water. You should change the drinking water often, that is, every day if possible.
Conclusion
Hamsters cannot produce milk, they only produce milk to feed their young babies. If you try to milk a hamster it will fail and you can only injure your pet and cause him stress.
Breast milk is the first food that baby hamsters receive and it helps the growth and development of the little babies in the first weeks of their life.
Hamsters can also drink cow’s milk, but it should still be rare and in small quantities.
The only milk that you can give to hamsters is soy milk, because it does not contain lactose, and at the same time it contains nutrients for small hamsters.
You can buy hamster milk in some stores, but it is short-lived and therefore you should be careful so that there are no dangers to the health of the little hamsters.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Not Feeding Her Babies? Let’s Discover
