scratching loads

michyLS · 05-24-2016, 12:20 PM

Is it normal for hammies to scratch a lot? Arlo seems to be doing it loads.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 05-24-2016, 12:32 PM

If he's doing it constantly or if his fur starts thinning out he may need to be looked at for mites. Sometimes it's an OCD problems, I had a rescue hamster that had OCD but after he calmed down he stopped the scratching. which was like 3 hours straight of grooming himself. Hope everything is normal for Arlo! That he doesn't have mites!

It could be just perfectly normal for him to scratch a lot but monitor more closely if you've seen a change recently.

michyLS · 05-24-2016, 12:48 PM

Thanks, we've only had him 10 days and he has in that time been quite a scratchy boy! In his ball tonight he sat for about 10 mins scratching and grooming and looked like he was cleaning his boy bits (do they do that? Or maybe he was scratching them too)
I do hope he hasn't got mites. Would his fur thin if he has them? Or would it be the over grooming causing his fur to thin?

**Cinnamon Bear** · 05-24-2016, 01:50 PM

I'm not sure, since he's new to you it could be stress related? Keep away from other animals just in case? If he looks really uncomfortable I'd have him checked out by the vet.

Normal grooming won't cause fur to thin out but excessive scratching can, there are other things besides mites that can cause itchiness, like allergies to either food or bedding? You could look into allergies but if you think he needs to be seen take him in, I'd probably monitor for a few days watching him more closely.

Hope this helps

Ceretrea · 05-24-2016, 01:58 PM

Hi!

Yes they do thoroughly clean their boy bits

Hamsters are very fastidious about their coat and will spend a lot of time grooming. They can't groom when stressed as in a heightened state of anxiety they wouldn't be able to sit still and not watch their environment so he's either really settled or he has mites. Mite's are normally around on the hamster anyway but only cause an issue as times such as ill health or being moved when the immune system itself is under stress.
In the UK you can buy Xeno 50 mini online which is a form of Ivermectin and doses easily for a small animal like a hamster. It wouldn't hurt him to give him a dose just to cover him. If you repeat the dose in 2 weeks time as it instructs on the packet then you know you've covered him for mites, fleas and lice so any grooming he does after that should just be the normal amount.

cypher · 05-24-2016, 10:47 PM

They do groom quite a lot & will often wash particularly their faces if they're nervous but he shouldn't be scratching too much, they most often show signs of mites around the eyes & or ears, unless he's become stressed for some reason I wouldn't think mites are likely unless you have something like hay or herbs in the cage that hasn't been in the freezer first.
I tend to err on the side of caution with mite treatment, with such tiny animals I think it better not to dose them with something like that without confirmation from a vet that mites is actually the problem.
If he does it in the ball that could possibly just be stress, as I said in another of your threads balls really aren't a good option for dwarf hams so maybe see how he goes if you stop using it.

You could try adding a few flax seeds to his diet too, great for keeping skin & coat in good condition & they love them!

freyashamsters · 05-24-2016, 11:40 PM

If he's scratching a lot it may be a sign of mites or another parasite, you should take him to an exotic vet and they will treat him for them

Pebbles82 · 05-25-2016, 04:46 AM

It could just be normal grooming. This is Charlie grooming if it helps. Does he do it in the cage or just when he's out in his ball?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZlOEHJaF18

And midway through this video too, having a good scratch (you can skip forwards

)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49B0bFUEn_0

michyLS · 05-25-2016, 01:04 PM

Thanks Serendipity, cute video! He does it like your Charlie does, in his ball or in the cage. When he does it in his ball he oves to the same spot in the lounge and has a good itch and groom lol.
I'll keep an eye on him, maybe its just normal for him, he doesn't seem to be agitated or uncomfortable.

Thanks for all the advice.x