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Old 07-14-2020, 12:59 PM   #1
AmbersArmy
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Default Hamster itching

Hi All,

I've had my hamster for seven weeks, she was 14 weeks when I got her. For the past three weeks she seems to be itching a lot and displaying occasional strange behaviour. I had her at the vet last Tuesday and they applied some treatment for mites. See seemed to settle but last night I saw the itching behaviour return and it's really bad tonight, I'll post a video example. The vet we went to isn't a specialist and I can't find an exotic animal vet locally. Can anyone offer possible advice?
Thanks in advance.
Ambersarmy
PS I couldn't upload video. Basically she's dragging herself against any surface she can find and squirming on her back.
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Old 07-15-2020, 06:19 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Hamster itching

This sounds more like scent marking that itching. They have scent glands on their hips and run the scent over them to mark their territory.
Have you cleaned the cage a lot? They have to remark if you cage clean too much. Females also so it more when they are in heat.
Try not cleaning the cage and just doing spot cleans for a bit.
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Old 07-15-2020, 07:40 AM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Hamster itching

I agree with souffle sounds like scent marking.

If it helps I have just uploaded this video where you can see Twinkle marking his territory and after he has cleaned himself for a bit you see he rubs his head on the bit of wood too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvCC27fqBi8

Is what your hamster doing something similar?
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Last edited by LunaTheHamster1; 07-15-2020 at 08:09 AM.
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Old 07-15-2020, 09:56 AM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Hamster itching

Does your hamster have a sand bath?

The dwarfs especially enjoy them and roll about on their backs to clean their coats off natural oils.

I would get one if your hamster hasn't got one but needs to be sand not dust and any container that fits would do.
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Old 07-15-2020, 11:58 AM   #5
AmbersArmy
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Default Re: Hamster itching

Thank you everyone. I had a male syrian hamster many years ago and never saw behaviour like this so I'm anxious that she's not unwell in some way.
I did put a container of heat treated and sieved play sand in her cage when I moved her into a new cage two weeks ago but it scattered all over the place so I haven't put in any more since.
How frequently can I expect to see this behaviour?
With cleaning, I'm removing any poop I can see daily and cleaning her wee spot every two days. I clean her food hoard weekly.
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Old 07-15-2020, 02:01 PM   #6
AmbersArmy
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Default Re: Hamster itching

LunaTheHamster1, thank you so much for sharing your video. This is exactly what Dobby is doing! I'm so relieved that it's 'normal' behaviour.
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Old 07-15-2020, 02:19 PM   #7
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Hamster itching

AmbersArmy glad it helped, Twinkle rolls over on his back too. You made me think I should do a proper video on this to show what it can look like, you aren't the first person to worry about it. Hopefully you can relax a bit now.
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