7 Reasons Why Hamsters Lose Hair

Hamsters are tiny but there are a lot of things owners can monitor to ensure their furry friend is in top condition.

Things you might notice at home if your hamster is losing hair may include:

●      Patches of no hair

●      Shorter bits of hair in areas

●      Thinning of hair

●      Dandruff

●      Scabby patches

●      Redness of skin

●      Lumps or swelling on the skin

You may also notice that your hamster is off their food and lethargic depending on the underlying cause. All of these things can be very distressing to see.

There are many reasons our hamsters might be losing hair. Some of these reasons are behavioural problems - things that our hamsters do to themselves or each other. Others are health issues that can develop over time. Some hamsters can constantly rub themselves on parts of their cage, some are bullied by other hamsters they are housed with and get their hair chewed. If your hamster isn't fed a balanced diet, this can cause issues with their hair quality. Some cancers cause hair loss. Ectoparasites found on the skin can cause hair loss as well. Let's explore in more detail the most common reasons hamsters lose their hair.

Some hamsters will cause trauma by constantly rubbing on parts of their cage. They may frequently squeeze into narrow places where there’s a lot of friction between them and the objects in their cage. Keep an eye on any bald patches that suddenly become scabby or bleed as there’s a high risk of infection if this occurs.

You may need to buy a larger cage for your hamster if you think this is the cause of their hair loss. Overcrowding can sometimes occur if there are too many hamsters in a small space. Ensure there is enough room for your hamsters to move about and play without bumping into things and getting injured.

Some parasites that live on the surface of your hamster's coat can cause hair loss as they go about their business burrowing into the skin. These include lice, mites, and fleas. Your vet will be able to prescribe some anti-parasite medication for you if your furry pal has some friends on board.

There is a certain type of cancer called T-cell lymphoma that hamsters are prone to developing. This affects the skin of hamsters and can disrupt the hair growth. If you notice any lumps or swellings on your hamster and they seem unwell in any way, contact your vet immediately to have them checked over.

Barbering is not as friendly as it sounds. Other hamsters in the cage can chew on your hamster's hair or groom them excessively, causing thinning of the hair, and broken hair near the surface of the skin. This can result in full bald patches and they can sometimes get infected.

If you think this may be an issue, ensure there is enough space for all hamsters in the cage. Sometimes putting out extra food bowls or drinking bottles can reduce the amount of conflict between hamsters and stop them chewing each other's fur. It may be necessary to separate hamsters if they are unable to get on with each other.

As hamsters age, their hair quality and the overall condition of their coat can deteriorate, leading to bald patches. There is very little that can be done about this, unfortunately.

If your hamster is not being fed enough or is not receiving a balanced diet, they may be receiving low levels of some important nutrients. If your hamster is lacking in protein, this will affect the quality of your hamster's hair. If their diet is lacking certain vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins, this can also cause problems with their hair.

Your vet is likely to recommend changing your hamster’s diet and feeding them a complete hamster food. There are also vitamins that can be put into your hamster's water to ensure they are getting the right balance.

There are a few different organs in the body that can cause hair loss if they are not functioning properly or if there is a disease affecting these organs. The kidneys are one of these. If they are not working properly, over time they can cause changes in your furry friend’s coat. Thyroid gland imbalances can also cause hair loss, although these causes are less common than the others mentioned above.

If your hamster has suddenly started losing fur and you think that they may be unwell, it is advised to take a trip to your vet so that they can check your hamster over.

Hamsters may lose hair on their backs if they have nutritional deficiencies or if they have a cage mate that is chewing or grooming their hair excessively. Parasites, friction from rubbing on objects in their cage, and cancer can also cause hair loss in our furry little pals.

 

Sometimes hamsters lose hair on their stomachs if they have a parasite infection, if they have cancer, or if they’re rubbing themselves on something in their cage that causes too much friction.

Depending on the underlying cause, bald patches can take four to six weeks to regrow. This is providing the underlying cause has been treated. If the reason the hair loss has occurred has been present for a long time, for example, a poor diet, it may take longer for the hair to regrow.

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