5 reasons why a hamster is losing hair
Hamsters have fluffy fur and distinctive color patterns, making them incredibly attractive and lovable. This is why it might be really concerning if you discover that your animal friend is losing his hair. You can tell when hamsters are shedding because of the thinness of their fur.
Hamsters’ hair loss may be a sign of a number of serious or less serious medical issues. Hair loss is frequently brought on by elements that are present in your pet hamster’s environment. In this article, we’ll talk about the five most prevalent causes of hair loss in hamsters and what you can do about it.
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficits are among the most typical causes of hair loss in hamsters. Lack of sufficient nutrition, particularly the right quantity of B vitamins, in your hamster’s food might result in hair loss.
Their diet’s lack of protein can also result in issues with their fur.
Russian and Syrian hamsters, for example, shed more than Roborovski and Chinese dwarf varieties do.
What to do:
Your veterinarian could advise modifying your hamster’s food if this is the suspected reason for hair loss. Foods like cheese, unsweetened cereal, scrambled eggs, whole wheat pasta, vegetables, and fruits are well known for helping to alleviate hamster hair thinning. Small animals are also given water-soluble vitamins to aid in hair growth.
Parasites
Numerous health issues in your hamster can result from the presence of parasites. And hair loss is one of the most typical symptoms they bring on. If your hamster has mites, fleas, ticks, ringworm, or any of these conditions, they may scratch nonstop. This will then harm their skin, which could result in sores and hair loss.
What to do:
Bring your pet hamster to the doctor right away if you think it might have parasites, and ask the doctor what the best course of action is to aid the situation the most.
It’s also crucial to treat your hamster’s environment and surroundings for parasites in addition to the hamster itself.
In addition to infesting your pet, parasites can also spread throughout your house and your hamster’s habitat.
You should begin treating your pet’s skin with medication at the same time as you rid their environment of the parasites. The hair on your hamster will probably regrow after its skin has healed, and it will probably be just as fluffy as it was before the infection.
Friction
In hamsters, friction can also lead to hair thinning. If your hamster rubs its body against its cage or toys for extended periods of time, the high friction could cause its hair to come off. Due to their limited mobility, this is most prevalent in hamsters housed in relatively small cages.
What to do:
Make sure the cage you buy for your hamster is big enough. And it’s even more crucial if you have multiple hamsters. In this manner, your hamsters will have sufficient space to run about and play without endangering their coats.
Shedding
Hamsters do shed frequently. This occurrence starts in the spring and usually peaks in the fall.
It is crucial that you identify the cause of your hamster’s bald spots if they appear. However, they typically won’t get complete bald areas. One of the first questions your veterinarian will ask you about your hamster’s food is how it relates to hair loss.
What to do:
The shedding that occurs in hamsters is entirely normal. Don’t be concerned if this is the reason why your pet is losing hair. Following the shedding process, both their hair and your pet hamster’s luxurious coat will grow back.
Medical conditions
Hamsters may lose some of their fur as a result of certain illnesses and medical disorders. T-cell lymphoma and kidney inflammation are two conditions that are frequently linked to hair thinning. Hormonal imbalance is a different medical problem that frequently coexists with hair loss in hamsters.
What to do:
Contact your veterinarian right once to make an appointment if you find your hamster is shedding fur in an unusual way. To ascertain the true situation, they will evaluate your hamster’s state.
It can be highly concerning when medical disorders cause hair loss. However, it’s frequently a sign that something is off.
Treating hamster hair loss
It might be rather unsettling to observe your hamster losing its hair gradually. However, it is likely that there is little cause for alarm. The majority of hamster hair loss causes are very manageable and simple to fix, so your hamster won’t go bald.
You can provide your hamster with the greatest care by working together with your veterinarian. Your small hamster will quickly grow fur again if you believe your veterinarian and strictly adhere to their advice.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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