Hamsters can be amusing to watch as they scurry about, playing with their toys and running on their squeaky wheel. But if you notice a decline in activity and your hamster excessively scratches itself, there may be a problem. There are several reasons why hamsters may begin the scratch themselves frequently.
Your hamster is so itchy due to allergies, parasites, or mites. These issues can become severe, so they should be addressed with your veterinarian immediately. Other reasons that can cause hamsters to become itchy are poor grooming and molting.
If you notice your poor little friend constantly scratching, there are ways to help alleviate the itchiness. This article will explore reasons your hamster is so itchy and what you can do to help them.
Hamster Won’t Stop Scratching: Causes and What To Do
A hamster may be itchy for various reasons, including allergies, parasites, and poor grooming. If your hamster constantly scratches itself, it’s crucial to take it to the vet to rule out any medical conditions.
Allergies May Cause Itchiness In Hamsters
Allergies are a common cause of itchiness in hamsters. Dust, pollen, and other environmental allergens can cause your hamster to itch and scratch. If your hamster is allergic to its food, it may also start to itch.
It’s also possible for hamsters to have an allergic reaction to the dust in the air or their bedding.
You can help alleviate the allergy itchiness by changing the bedding to see if that’s the culprit. However, if changing the bedding doesn’t stop the hamster from scratching, it may have a more serious reaction that needs to be medically addressed.
If you suspect your hamster has an allergic reaction, contact your vet immediately so that they can examine your hamster and give you the appropriate medication for your pet.
Itchiness From Creepy Crawlies: Parasites
Parasites are another common cause of itchiness in hamsters.
Mites are the most common type of parasite that affects hamsters. They’re tiny insects that live on the skin and hair follicles of animals and can be a pain to get rid of if you don’t act fast. They can cause your hamster to itch and scratch excessively and become stressed due to the constant need to scratch.
If you suspect your hamster has mites, you may need to take it to the vet for immediate treatment before it worsens. You will also need to disinfect the entire area to kill the mites, including housing, toys, and exercise wheels.
Most likely, the vet will provide you with how to disinfect and kill the mites invading your tiny furball’s space.
Poor Grooming
Poor grooming can also cause your hamster to itch. Hamsters are very clean animals and like to groom themselves frequently. If your hamster cannot groom itself correctly, it may start to itch excessively, just as you would if you hadn’t showered for days.
Several reasons can cause hamsters to be unable to keep themselves clean, including old age, illness, or injury. If your hamster cannot groom itself, you must step in and help it by brushing its fur and trimming its nails regularly. However, if it becomes too stressed while you’re attempting to groom it, contact your vet for suggestions.
Hamsters can easily become stressed, so it’s best not to force grooming when the hamster shows signs of fear and distress.
Hamsters Go Through Molting Periods
Hamsters may have itchy skin because they are shedding their under-fur to replace it with new fur. This is known as the molting period, which is meant to prepare for the warmer months, typically during the spring. Changes in seasons or temperature can trigger a hamster’s molting, but this is not always the case.
Are Hamsters Prone To Skin Allergies?
Hamsters are prone to skin allergies because of their small size, which means they can’t groom themselves like other larger animals. Their fur is soft and thick, making them prone to skin irritation and inflammation.
If your hamster suffers from allergies, you can help ease its symptoms.
Ensure your hamster is getting enough exercise outside its cage, as a sedentary hamster is more likely to suffer from allergies. If you notice any redness on your hamster’s skin, have it checked out by a veterinarian immediately.
How To Lessen the Risk of Skin Allergies
If your hamster’s itchy, the following are a few things you can do to help it feel better:
- Thoroughly clean the cage because a dirty cage can make a hamster itchier. Change the bedding to something different after the cage is clean because it may be allergic to the type of bedding.
- Give your hamster a warm bath using mild baby shampoo. Wet him down, lather him up, then rinse him well. Then towel-dry the hamster so it doesn’t get cold.
- Try using a pet-safe anti-itch spray on your hamster. You can find this type of spray available at most pet stores. Just spray it on your hamster’s fur and massage it in well.
If your hamster’s itching doesn’t improve after you’ve tried these things, it may have mites, which are tiny parasites that live on the skin and cause intense itching. If your hamster has mites, it must be treated by a vet.
In Conclusion
Because of their thick fur and small size, it might be difficult for your hamster to clean itself thoroughly. A hamster suffering from stress and ill health may also find it challenging to keep itself clean.
The hamster and cage should be clean to prevent skin allergies resulting in constant scratching.
Mites are a common cause of hamsters scratching and should be addressed immediately with the veterinarian to get it under control. Molting is also another reason your hamster may constantly be scratching. But always consult your vet if nothing you are doing is helping your little furry friend.