My hamster is still itchy

Karinalara89 · 03-08-2019, 01:47 PM

My hamster is still itchy. I took him to the vet, they gave him a drop of flea/tick medication. I used mite spray, I used anti fungal medicine, I used diatomaceous earth powder, and he is still itching frequently. Vet said it might be hormonal, or might be bird mites. He looks very healthy, I don't know why he is still itchy.

cypher · 03-08-2019, 10:25 PM

Have you eliminated any possible allergies or irritants in the cage? What substrate are you using? Some hams can have a reaction to woodshavings & carefresh possibly other things too.
What food does he have?

Karinalara89 · 03-11-2019, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Have you eliminated any possible allergies or irritants in the cage? What substrate are you using? Some hams can have a reaction to woodshavings & carefresh possibly other things too.
What food does he have?

Hi, thanks for your reply!
I use Critter Care Natural bedding, and his food is Vita Prima Sunscription Dwarf Hamster Formula. In his cage he has tissue paper, a sand box, a small cardboard house, a wheel, ...

souffle · 03-11-2019, 10:15 AM

Please don't use the diatomaceous earth on hamsters as they can inhale it and it can cause nasty chest infections.
They are very fastidious at cleaning and they do groom a lot so it may be that is all he is doing. The earth can irritate the skin as well. Don't overclean the cage as they can groom to spread their scent around too.

Karinalara89 · 03-11-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

Please don't use the diatomaceous earth on hamsters as they can inhale it and it can cause nasty chest infections.
They are very fastidious at cleaning and they do groom a lot so it may be that is all he is doing. The earth can irritate the skin as well. Don't overclean the cage as they can groom to spread their scent around too.

Ok I won't use diatomaceous earth anymore, ...Yes I think he does groom a lot, I just worry that he scratches, maybe just a bad habit. I didn't know it can irritate the skin, I will definitely not use it anymore, thanks.

souffle · 03-12-2019, 03:25 AM

Use a soft brush and try and get it out his coat. Can you see any red patches or small scabs or anything? You usually see those with mites. Up his intake of b vitamins - we make porridge and add some wheatgerm to it as it is rich in vitamins. Also add more oily seeds like linseed and millet spray to the diet as that can help the coat. A bit of fresh veg daily also will help. Brocolli, spinach and cauliflower are good.

Pebbles82 · 03-12-2019, 10:10 AM

I noticed Critter care bedding is 70% kiln dried pine, 30% coloured paper and "our own proprietary odor control ingredients". It could well be the bedding that is causing an allergy. Even if pine is kiln dried, some hamsters can be allergic to any kind of wood bedding, whether it's softwood or hardwood. Also it seems to contain something to reduce odours which could be causing an allergic reaction.

I would suggest changing the substrate to an all paper bedding/non allergenic substrate. If you can get Boxo it is quite cheap and sold in bulk. Kaytee clean and cozy is ok too although I found the coloured ones had a bit of an inky smell so try the plain white one to be on the safe side.

That would mean replacing all the substrate, but if you do it without cleaning anything else it shouldn't be too stressful. You can clean the other items another time when your hammy has settled.

See if that improves things - plus the Linseeds and other things Souffle mentioned. But rule out allergy and use a hypoallergenic substrate. Also do you use anything scented to clean the cage with? That can aggravate them too. Just warm water is fine unless there is illness or disease - or warm water with a tiny bit of washing up liquid in - then rinse well.

If you have 4 or 5" deep substrate, you can just "spot clean" mainly - ie take out the odd handful of soiled litter and replace it with a clean handful - then you don't need to do full clean outs so often so the hamster is less stressed and something always smells familiar. Even when you do need to do a substrate change, best to do other items at a different time so something always smells familiar.

With a litter tray as well the cage stays clean longer. Does your hammy use the sand bath as a litter tray?

Pebbles82 · 03-12-2019, 10:12 AM

Sorry - I have just seen there is more than one Critter Care pet bedding - the natural one looks like just paper - is that the one you're using? Check the packet to see if it mentions odour control ingredients. One reviewer said it was too dusty for rats so a change might be better anyway.

Karinalara89 · 03-16-2019, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Sorry - I have just seen there is more than one Critter Care pet bedding - the natural one looks like just paper - is that the one you're using? Check the packet to see if it mentions odour control ingredients. One reviewer said it was too dusty for rats so a change might be better anyway.

Thank you for your reply!
Yes I use the natural one, it says 'long lasting odor control proprietary formula suppresses ammonia odor.' I also use the 'confetti' version. So the dust causes allergies in this bedding? I will check for a different bedding then.

Karinalara89 · 03-16-2019, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I noticed Critter care bedding is 70% kiln dried pine, 30% coloured paper and "our own proprietary odor control ingredients". It could well be the bedding that is causing an allergy. Even if pine is kiln dried, some hamsters can be allergic to any kind of wood bedding, whether it's softwood or hardwood. Also it seems to contain something to reduce odours which could be causing an allergic reaction.

I would suggest changing the substrate to an all paper bedding/non allergenic substrate. If you can get Boxo it is quite cheap and sold in bulk. Kaytee clean and cozy is ok too although I found the coloured ones had a bit of an inky smell so try the plain white one to be on the safe side.

That would mean replacing all the substrate, but if you do it without cleaning anything else it shouldn't be too stressful. You can clean the other items another time when your hammy has settled.

See if that improves things - plus the Linseeds and other things Souffle mentioned. But rule out allergy and use a hypoallergenic substrate. Also do you use anything scented to clean the cage with? That can aggravate them too. Just warm water is fine unless there is illness or disease - or warm water with a tiny bit of washing up liquid in - then rinse well.

If you have 4 or 5" deep substrate, you can just "spot clean" mainly - ie take out the odd handful of soiled litter and replace it with a clean handful - then you don't need to do full clean outs so often so the hamster is less stressed and something always smells familiar. Even when you do need to do a substrate change, best to do other items at a different time so something always smells familiar.

With a litter tray as well the cage stays clean longer. Does your hammy use the sand bath as a litter tray?

Thank you so much for all the information

I will look for 'boxo' bedding. Yes they use the sand bath as a litter tray.