Hamster illnesses

Hamster illnesses don’t strike often, but they’re something for owners to be aware of. From skin conditions or growths, to respiratory illnesses, you may find yourself trying to figure out why your hamster is feeling under the weather. Here are the most common hamster illnesses and conditions to keep an eye out for.

Hamsters can become ill, but there are lots of treatments available

Skin conditions

Some conditions may be visible in your hamster. Issues with your hamster’s skin may be subtle, or severe, depending on the cause. Here are some of the most common types of external conditions in hamsters.

Abrasions

Like humans, hamsters can get cuts or scrapes if they come in contact with sharp or rough objects. If you notice a small wound, try to see what may have caused it. Edges, toys, or uneven surfaces in your hamster's home may be the culprit.

Abscesses

Hamsters develop abscesses when they have an infection or foreign object in their skin that goes untreated. Abscesses can form anywhere on their body, including in the mouth. They can be hard or soft, and will sometimes ooze pus. If you think your hamster has an abscess, they need to be seen by a veterinarian for appropriate treatment.

Bar rub or gnawing

Sometimes hamsters will rub or gnaw on the bars of their cage. They usually do this out of stress or boredom, but may also chew or rub because of pain or their natural instinct to chew. If your hamster is rubbing on their bars, you’ll notice hair loss. Gnawing on the bars can result in bleeding gums.

Bar rubbing or gnawing can be resolved by isolating the root cause of the behavior. Clean your hamster’s cage more often, keep them in a quiet environment, and provide them with plenty of enriching accessories inside and outside the cage to keep their minds and bodies active.

The Omlet Hamster Habitat's deep bedding fender means the bars of your pet's cage are out of reach from chewing

Dry ears

This condition that affects hamsters causes dry, flaky ears that are very itchy. You may see your hamster scratching at their ears a lot. If you suspect dry ears in your hamster, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the outside of their ears. This will help soothe the dry skin of their ears, and will lock in moisture to help their skin recover.

Lumps or growths

You may find a lump or bump on your hamster. The type of growth may be determined by its location, while others can occur anywhere on the body. Here are the most common lumps or growths found on hamsters:

• Mammary gland lumps - firm lumps that grow quickly, especially in non-pregnant hamsters.
• Testicular lumps - tumors that occur on the testicles of male hamsters.
• Growths on other parts of the body - these may be firm, soft, large, or small, and may be benign or malignant.

It’s important to consult a veterinarian for any growths that you notice on your hamster to determine the cause and course of treatment.

Eye conditions

Hamsters can suffer from eye problems. Some have simple remedies, while others require veterinary care.

Eyelid rub

Also known as “entropion”, this condition is caused by eyelashes or the eyelid turning inward and rubbing against the surface of your hamster’s eye. It’s important to have this condition addressed by a veterinarian.

Protruding eyes

Your hamster’s eyes should be symmetrical. If you look at your hamster from above and one eye protrudes further than the other, it may indicate illness or injury. They’ll need to be seen by a veterinarian.

Eye injuries or infections

If your hamster has a runny eye, or frequently paws at it, they may have an infection or allergy. You may also notice swelling or redness around the eye. Hamsters have very small eyes, so it can be difficult to see scratches or injuries to the eye. If you’re using wood shavings for bedding, consider switching to recycled paper pulp, which carries less chance of irritants and allergens, as well as a lower risk of eye injury. If you don’t notice an improvement, you’ll need to take your hamster to the veterinarian.

Sticky eye

This condition usually occurs in older hamsters, and is the result of secretions from the eye that dry while your hamster sleeps. When your hamster wakes, they won’t be able to open the affected eye. You can treat sticky eye with a cloth or cotton ball soaked in warm water. Apply it gently to your hamster’s eye for a few minutes. This will loosen the buildup enough for you to gently sweep it away and allow your hamster to open their eye. Never try to force or pry your hamster’s eye open. If this is a recurring problem, your hamster will need to see the veterinarian.

Hamster parasites

Hamsters can be affected by different types of parasites — both internal and external. Most of these are contracted by your hamster eating contaminated food, or by contact with other pets in your home.

• Worms: These intestinal parasites almost always infect your hamster through contaminated food. Symptoms of intestinal parasites might not be obvious for some time, but eventually your hamster will lose weight, have diarrhea, and have a dull coat.
• Mange: Sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite. Symptoms of sarcoptic mange include hair loss, dry, scabbed skin, and lots of scratching.
• Fleas: Like other pets, hamsters can get fleas. You’ll notice excessive scratching and agitation from hamsters that are suffering from fleas.

All of these parasites should be treated by a veterinarian. Don’t try to treat these conditions at home, as several remedies can be harmful to hamsters.

Respiratory problems

Hamsters that are coughing, wheezing, sneezing, or that have a runny nose may be suffering from an upper respiratory infection or allergies. Your first course of action should be to clean their habitat and change their bedding to a hypoallergenic option. If you don’t notice an improvement within 48 hours, or if they appear worse at any point, you’ll need to call the veterinarian.

Neurological issues

Like humans, hamsters can suffer from neurological disorders — more commonly in the form of strokes. A hamster that has had a stroke, or that is suffering from another neurological condition will display symptoms like:

• Circling or twirling
• Head tilt
• Off-balance or appearing dizzy
• Tremors or inability to be still

Hamsters can recover from strokes, but if their symptoms interfere with eating and drinking, they’ll need to be evaluated by a veterinarian.

It's important to check your hamster's tail area frequently for any signs of wet tail

Wet tail

This somewhat simple name can spell serious trouble for hamsters. Wet tail is a term used to describe diarrhea in hamsters, and it can cause death in a matter of 2-3 days if left untreated. This dangerous condition is caused by bacteria, and can dehydrate a hamster quickly. Your hamster’s tail area will appear wet or sticky, and may have fecal matter attached. Most hamsters will assume an unusual or hunched posture due to intestinal cramping. If you suspect wet tail in your hamster, immediately separate it from other hamsters (if housed together), and provide as much liquid as possible in the form of water and water-dense food like lettuce. Your hamster will need to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible to recover from wet tail.

Hamster health checks

Performing regular hamster health checks is the best way to monitor your pet for any changes in their appearance or health. Many of these conditions can be prevented with proper hygiene and by cleaning your hamster’s habitat routinely.

Omlet and your hamster

Having an easy to clean hamster habitat is one of the best ways to prevent illness and keep your hamster healthy and happy. All of our hamster products have been designed with happiness and hygiene in mind — for both you and your hamster. From hamster playpens with floors, to tunnels with ample room to explore, your hamster will be able to stay fit and interact with you in a fresh and clean environment.