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Originally Posted by Serendipity7000
That sounds like good advice above. Just keep the cage simple. Maybe they are some kind of tick that is on the hammy. You would think you would see them though. We had a dog that had ticks once. You couldn’t see a thing until they sucked blood, but then it just looked like a lump. It was also extremely difficult to remove them as their jaws stayed embedded in the skin (Ie they hung on!). But she only had about three and they didn’t breed. They just got attached to her from long grass.
If they are some kind of tick it’s probably from the hay. And I guess it’s possible your hammy could have blood sucking ticks. But not something I’ve heard of before. You would think you would see something. But also you said there were different types. It would be useful if someone could identify them. How about calling a local university science department and asking if one of the students would come and take a few and identify them! You never know? They might.
But agree if they don’t go after another clean, only paper bedding, no wood - then yes you’ll need to see a vet. Or if you really think they’re from the hamster, see a vet anyway. Take a couple of bugs with you!
I wouldn’t leave the cage without food though. Yes, unfortunately, you’ll need to remove all food and the hoard. But you should have new food that’s been frozen now - so put a handful of that in where the hoard was. They get quite stressed without a hoard. And just change the food in the bowl daily - if there’s any left.
I find it hard to believe they are coming from that little wood house as it’s smooth wood snd such a shame for her to lose her house. However it is possible and maybe soaking it in disinfectant would spoil it (and make it smell). You could bake it - but that might make it smell too. Maybe best to make a little cardboard house for now.
What food are you using? (I still suspect it could be hatching from food - maybe a species that just go dormant when frozen).
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Thank you so much for your reply. I truly hope those aren't ticks or anything harmful. My hamster has been super friendly and nice to me and when I've looked online and general problems with hamsters (their hamsters biting, clinging onto them etc) I am extremely grateful that my hamster hasn't done it and it's also cool that he comes out whenever he hears I am nearby and he wants to come onto my hand and is licking my fingers sometimes. I replaced the wooden house with a plastic house now and there's no hay or nothing wood in the cage, except the bedding. They don't sell anything else at my local pet store.
I use Chipsi Classic bedding (
CHIPSI - CHIPSI Classic – the classic small animal litter ) because that's the only thing that they sell. I guess I'll have to order paper bedding online then. There's clearly wood in it as well and my hamster was scratching himself a lot in the store already.
The bugs are different and they don't all look the same. Some are tiny and red, some are black and tiny. I now use versele laga food for mini hamster's. He has been scratching himself from the day 1, but I thought it's a normal hamster behaviour. There are times when he doesn't scratch himself and is completely normal and then when he's eating and then starch scratching himself. I don't see anything in his fur, but his fur is brownish - dark as well, so it might be difficult to identify the bugs, I guess.
It's hard to me to remove all of the food that he has hoarded. It seems kinda cruel, but if it's something I have to do then I'll do it. I really love my hamster and he's super sweet and nice. My friend told me not to get the hamster that I got, because he was scratching himself in the store already, but I had to get him since he was chubby and looking so cute at the store.
His new wooden house it currently in play pen and there are no bugs in there. I just checked his cage and his chewing toys are made of wood, but what are the chances all of the toys were infested?
I'll order paper bedding and see how it goes, I guess. There's still food in my hamster's food bowl and I think he doesn't really like the new food that I got for him.
The worst thing about bringing my hamster to vet would be the weather. It's getting cold outside and I don't want him to get sick. No idea how I'd do that. I'll do another apartment clean when I have days off from work + try the paper bedding.