Why is my hamster skin red?

Symptoms and Types
If the hair loss is due to ectoparasitic infestation (ticks, mites, etc.), the hamster may have severe itching and/or red skin. If it is due to nutritional reasons, the hamster may appear malnourished or have a dull coat.
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How do you treat a hamsters skin infection?

There is no treatment for the virus itself, but your veterinarian can treat the effects of the virus, with fluids under the skin for dehydrated animals, food supplements, and antibiotics if your hamster has a bacterial infection.
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What are signs that hamsters are dying?

When a hamster is dying, its breathing will be more agitated, choppy and its pulse will begin to diminish progressively until exhausted. It is also possible that your hamster may suffer from tremors or a stiff jaw. Signs of a dead hamster include: No apparent breathing or movement.
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Why are my hamsters hands red?

Symptoms. Skin abscesses are often located around the hamster's head, though they can occur anywhere on the body. The swelling may be felt or seen beneath the hair, and the area will be red and sensitive to your touch. If the abscess has ripened then it pits when pressure is applied.
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What should you never do with a hamster?

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A HAMSTER
  1. PLACE THE CAGE IN THE KITCHEN OR NEAR AN OPEN WINDOW. Avoid putting your hamster in noisy rooms where people come and go at all hours. ...
  2. ADOPT TWO OF THEM. ...
  3. FEED THEM ONLY SUNFLOWER SEEDS. ...
  4. WASH YOUR HAMSTER. ...
  5. AWAKEN THEM SUDDENLY.
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5 Common hamster Illnesses



Do hamsters get hot spots?

While hot spots are most common on dogs and cats, they can appear on almost any animal with fur, including Hamsters.
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Do hamsters have periods?

Hamsters have a short and consistent estrous cycle (4 days), a predictable time of ovulation, and a short gestation period (16 days).
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Do hamsters heal themselves?

Let your hamster heal himself.

Hamsters are very hardy animals and can recovery quickly from injury. If you see that he has only minor cuts and scrapes, consider letting him tend to them on his own. Many times, hamsters will lick and clean the wounds, which will heal them.
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What happens to a hamster before it dies?

One of the first signs you notice when your hamster is dying is the lack of appetite and thirst. Their bodies are shutting down. They no longer have the sensation of hunger or thirst. Food is not essential for your hamster.
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At what age is a hamster old?

Usually hamsters live 2-4 years, with Roborovski living the longest. A hamster, regardless of type, is considered old when he's close to his second birthday. He may live much longer than this, or might not even reach his second birthday. But, that's the majority of the cases.
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What kills a hamster?

  • Old Age. Of course, given that hamsters have an average lifespan of 18 months to a year with a maximum of three years [8], most hamsters are not expected to live long. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Heart Disease. ...
  • Wet Tail. ...
  • Pneumonia. ...
  • Cancer. ...
  • Other Infections. ...
  • Kidney Disease.
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Can hamsters get sick from dirty cage?

If your hamster's cage is filthy, handling them could cause cross-contamination. Both of these bacteria can make you very sick if they get into your system. Always make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling your hamster and any of their bedding.
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Can hamsters get skin infections?

Common causes of skin diseases in hamsters are mite infestations and ringworm. They can also develop allergies and skin infections. The veterinarian can diagnose the problem through skin scrapings and fungal cultures. Certain types of bedding such as cedar can cause allergies or irritate the skin.
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How much does it cost to take a hamster to the vet?

It does depend on where you live but on average I would say an exam is about $30-70, but could be higher for an exotic specialist.
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Do hamsters have balls?

The male hamster's testicles are not readily visible in all types of hamsters. Some breeds don't have very large, obvious testicles. The long, hairy coats of some hamsters may make their testicles harder to find, though they should show up in a careful inspection of the hamster's underside.
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Do hamsters need baths?

Hamsters are fastidious groomers and do a good job keeping themselves clean, baths, as we tend to think of them, are not necessary. However, it is possible to spot-clean them, if they truly need it. It is especially important to check their bottom as sometimes bedding can stick after going to the bathroom.
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Is it OK if my hamster eats toilet paper?

Yes, toilet paper is safe for hamsters. Even if your hammy ends up ingesting the TP, it is safe. Modern toilet paper is meant to dissolve in water after a short while. This also means that it will break apart when it reaches your hammy's stomach, so he will have no trouble passing it out.
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Can you bath hamsters?

Use a hamster-friendly shampoo and rinse with warm water but be careful not to get any soap in the mouth or eyes. Bathe your hamster in a warm room, such as a bathroom, without drafts. Use an easy-to-clean waterproof container, such as Tupperware, that has high sides to avoid your hamster escaping.
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Can you give hamsters ice cubes?

Place a few ice cubes in your pet's water bottle or bowl, or give them an ice cube to play with. Make sure that fresh water is available at all times! Give small, frozen mixed vegetables to pets that can eat them (e.g. hedgehogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats and others).
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Is my hamster itching or grooming?

Hamsters are fastidious groomers. While washing is a big part of his grooming process, so is scratching. This means scratching is not necessarily a sign that something's wrong -- unless the intensity and frequency of scratching has grown a lot over a course of a few days.
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What food kills hamsters instantly?

Beyond the high-fat content and choking hazard, many fruit seeds contain trace amounts of a lethal poison called cyanide. Although we can eat them, usually accidentally, these seeds often have enough to kill a hamster. These include apple, cherry, and pear seeds, among others.
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Should I cover my hamsters cage at night?

No Need to Wrap Their Cages

It's only natural for hamsters to not sleep at night, because they're nocturnal. Wrapping or covering your hamster's cage and making his environment darker won't encourage him to sleep. Darkness encourages these little rodents to be awake, after all.
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Do hamsters recognize their owners?

In the beginning, your hamster won't know you from anyone else. With proper socialization, however, not only will your hamster recognize you, he'll bond with you. In order to maintain this bond, you'll need to handle your hamster regularly. You can't expect your hamster to bond with everyone, though.
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