Hamsters are adorable and cuddly, with their fluffy hair and distinctive color patterns. It can be very alarming to notice that your pet’s hair is falling out.
It’s important to determine the reason your hamster is losing their hair.
Hair loss in hamsters could be a sign of a variety of health conditions, from minor to serious. Hair loss can be caused by things in the environment of your pet hamster. We’ll be discussing the top five reasons your pet hamster loses its hair, and what you can do about it.
These are the 5 Most Common Reasons Hamsters Lose Their Hair
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies are one of the leading causes of hamsters losing their hair. If your hamster’s diet does not include the proper nutrition–particularly the right amount of B vitamins–it can cause hair loss.
Their fur can also be affected if they don’t get enough protein. Your veterinarian will first inquire about your hamster’s hair loss diet when they visit you.
What to do?
Your veterinarian might recommend that your hamster be given a change in their diet if this is the cause of hair loss. Hair loss in hamsters can be treated with foods such as cheese, whole wheat pasta, and cooked eggs. Small pets can also be given water-soluble vitamins to aid hair growth.
2. Parasites
Parasites can cause serious health problems for your hamster. Hair loss is one of their most common symptoms. Incessant scratching can be caused by ringworm, fleas, ticks, or mites in your hamster. It can cause skin damage, leading to hair loss and lesions.
What to do?
If your pet hamster is suffering from parasites, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
It is also important to treat your hamster’s environment and surroundings for parasites.
Parasites can not only infest your pet but also your home and habitat.
You should also start medication for your pet’s skin as soon as you have cleared their environment. Your hamster’s hair will be just as soft after the parasites have been removed.
3. Friction
Hair loss can also be caused by friction in hamsters. Your hamster might lose its hair if it spends too much time rubbing against its toys and cage. This happens especially in small cages, which are very cramped for hamsters.
What to do?
You should ensure that your cage is large enough for your hamster. It’s even more important if you have multiple hamsters. Your hamsters will have enough space to run and play without causing damage to their coats.
4. Shedding
Yes, hamsters shed often. This happens in spring, and it tends to peak in the fall. You will notice a decrease in the fur coat of hamsters when they shed. They won’t usually develop full-blown bald spots.
Some breeds, such as the Russian and Syrian hamsters, shed more than Roborovski or Chinese dwarf varieties.
What to do?
Hamsters shed their hair every day. Don’t panic if your pet is experiencing hair loss. Your pet hamster’s hair will eventually grow back after the shedding process.
5. Conditions
Hamsters can lose their fur due to certain medical conditions. Hair loss is often caused by T-cell lymphoma and kidney inflammations. Hormonal imbalance is another medical condition that can cause hair loss in hamsters.
What to do?
Your vet should be contacted immediately if your hamster is experiencing unusually thin fur. Your vet will evaluate your hamster to determine the cause.
Medical conditions can cause hair loss. It’s usually a sign that something is wrong.
Treatment for Hamster Hair Loss
It can be very alarming to see your hamster lose its hair. There is little to no reason to panic. The majority of causes of hair loss in hamsters are easily treated and can be corrected quickly so that you don’t become a bald hamster.
You can work together with your vet to give your hamster the best possible treatment. Your little hamster will soon be happy again if you trust your vet and follow all their instructions.
What causes hamster hair loss?
Hair Loss Causes Hair loss in hamsters often occurs with age. Hair loss in older hamsters can be caused by a shortage of protein (less than 16%) or iron in their diet. Sarcoptic mange, Demodex mites, ringworm, and diseases such as renal or Cushing’s syndrome can all cause hair loss in hamsters.
How can I provide protein to my hamster?
Hamsters may consume fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and coriander. You may also give your hamster a few pieces of hard-boiled egg, mealworms, or nuts to ensure they get enough protein; however, nuts have a high-fat content and are particularly easy to overfeed.
What is toxic to hamsters?
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate: It contains theobromine and is hazardous in big quantities, which is simple for the small, sweet-toothed hamster to consume. Garlic: In little doses, it might induce indigestion and blood issues. Uncooked kidney beans: Do not give these to your hamsters!
What can’t a hamster eat?
Foods to Avoid Feeding Hamsters The seeds of an apple. The beans are raw. Potatoes are in their natural state. Almonds. The citrus fruit. Garlic. Onions. Rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb can be used.
What foods are the most appealing to hamsters?
Hamsters like lush greens like dandelions and clover, as well as fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, carrots, and cabbage.
Do hamsters require baths?
Is It Possible to Bathe Hamsters? Unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian, most hamsters do not require extra washing with soap and water. However, your hamster may want assistance from time to time with cleaning their rear end to avoid caked fecal debris or urine discoloration.
Do hamsters enjoy solitude?
Do Hamsters Prefer to Be Alone? Yes, they are solitary creatures, and it is instinctive for them to defend their area. They like to live alone and are neither lonely nor unhappy when they are alone.
What should I feed my hamster on a regular basis?
Hamsters consume 12 grams of food every day, usually at night. Keep an eye on your hamster’s food consumption; hamsters frequently hoard food in a corner. Choose commercial pellets with a protein content of 15-20% with care.
What is the finest meal for hamsters?
Pellets, seeds, and rodent blocks are all options. Pellet-style food is the finest meal to feed your hamster. “Hamsters perform well on a blend of pellets and a tiny bit of seeds, grains, or pieces of nuts,” Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana veterinarian Dr. Gregory Rich told The Dodo.
Is it common for hamsters to shed their fur?
Burrowing animals and rodents shed hair all the time, especially during the fall and spring seasons. Hamsters also have a proclivity to lose hair as they age.