My hamster is scratching alot lately. Is this normal? And what should I do?

Answer 1

Allergies and mange are the two most common causes of scratching. Fleas are a third, but less likely if you have no cats or dogs. Has there been any hair loss or scabs associated with the scratching? These are signs of either of them. Mange is contagious to other animals in your house, so be sure and was your hands thoroughly before touching other pets. Mange is treatable with special medications from your vet. Also are you sure he's scratching and not only washing a lot, watch and see if he's taking his foot to his mouth first, this is washing. I just went through 3 cases of mange in one cage and all are back to normal, hair and all. Allergies are also treatable, we have a rat with nose allergies (just found out tonight from the vet).

This site has really good information for care of hamsters. Look under hamster care, then illness and injury for more information on mange and allergies.

Answer 2

Excessive scratching isn't normal. How often does the hamster scratch? More than once an hour? I've never paid attention to how often my hamsters scratch (I have well over 100) but I would think anything over once an hour would be excessive.

There are several things that can make a hamster itch. The first and easiest one to consider is the bedding its on. Cedar shavings are known to irritate most small animals kept on it. Pine shavings irritate some animals. Try switching to a Carefresh type bedding and see if that makes a difference.

The next thing that can cause a hamster to itch is mites. There are three types of mites that can infest a hamster. The first is the Tropical Rat Mite. This is a common mite and I have many pet store animals infested with them. Do a search on the internet and you'll find some easy instructions to identify if the Tropical Rat Mite is present on your hamster with just a tissue. The other two types of mites will cause mange in a hamster. A hamster with mange will usually have some degree of fur loss though. I have also not heard of any hamsters in the US being diagnosed with mange, but it is definitely possible. Mites are easily and quickly treated with Ivermectin. You can get a prescription for this from a vet. Mites will not go away on their own and any over the counter product does not work long-term.

Fleas can infest a hamster but given their size, they should be easy to spot on a hamster. A hamster is not the desired host to a flea either. If you do see fleas, you will also need to see a vet for a Frontline or Advantage prescription.

One final thing that comes to mind is a food allergy. Every now and then a hamster will have a food allergy to corn. Try removing all the corn out of the hamsters food. If the food has pellets in it (not the green alfalfa pellets but the kind that looks a bit like small pieces of cat food), then remove those as well as the main ingredient in those is usually corn.

Dry skin used to be a problem in hamsters twenty years ago but it hasn't been a problem in hamsters since then.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 3

I had the precise comparable difficulty! listed here are some suggestions: a million) you may bypass out and purchase those flavoured wood chews. i think of they're dumb because of fact I gave them to my hamster and he hated them. and that they cost me like $5 for 2 blocks smaller than an eraser. 2) p.c.. a sprig off a fruit tree. I even have by no potential tried this because of fact i don't have fruit wood have been I stay. 3) supply them uncooked greens. Hamsters love uncooked greens. My hamster, Macaroni and that i, play tug-of-conflict with them. And for the size Macaroni is, he's like great capability. while you're playing the sport it helps his tooth, then after, they bypass and consume something of the carrot, which isn't undemanding and it helps slightly. Plus it extremely is great high quality bonding with you hamster. 4) supply them a milkbone. i've got no longer tried this one the two, yet once you have a canines, harm off a small piece of milk bone and stick it on your hamsters cage. Yummy, yummy! no longer something tastes greater useful then milk bone! Jokes. 5) in case you're taking your hamster into the vet, they might supply you some suggestions or (no longer extremely particular) i think of they have a gadget to grind their tooth down. i individually wish I helped. have exciting with your hammie!

Answer 4

He may have mites. My sister's mouse had it, and she took baking soda or some other powder and sprinkled his cage as well as rubbed his litlte fur all over. The mites died and the little mouse was cured. Cutest little thing he was. He died later of natural causes. Good luck.

Answer 5

hey stargirl!

if he's tamed, why not take him out of his cage and brush his itchy spot with an old toothbrush??? My friends hamster was itchy and after taking it to the vet with nothing wrong with it, the vet advised my friend to stroke the spot or use an old toothbrush.

hope this works!!!

Answer 6

You might have to put it down. My hamster had the same thing happeneing to him and he commited suicide on the wheel(long story) you should not let yours take its life away and just do it for him or her.

Answer 7

its probably fleas or a skin irritation go to a vet or a pet store and ask what they suggest

Answer 8

likely dry skin from the winter weather, dry weather, and the heating in your home.

Answer 9

its one of these DISEASES try this website http://www.radil.missouri.edu/info/dora/hamsterp/hamster.htm