Itchy hamsters?

[LoveMyHams]

I've noticed that when I put my syrians into their cardboard playpen they will rub up agains the walls like they are trying to scratch themselves. I haven't seen them do it in their cages or against things like their wheels or wood houses. They do seem to be scratching with their paws a lot when they are out as well. Are they just itchy or what's going on?

[Teddybearhamster420]

I have some odd questions for you ..:
do you happen to wear any parfum?
is there paint on the card board?
do you wear hand lotion?
Some of thses thigns above, could be irratiations, theres probraly more, but i cant think of toomany atm
Any ways, hope this helps a bit... ?

[LoveMyHams]

No to the perfume or paint but yes to hand lotion (and smelling shampoo and conditioner) hmm didn't think of that.

[Teddybearhamster420]

I use hand lotion aswell, doesnt bug my lil' one
im not too sure what it could be

[souffle]

It is a normal behavior especially if you use the pen for more than one hamster. They are scent marking by rubbing the scent glands on the hips along things to spread their scent on them. This lets other hamsters know they are about. Sometimes males especially with get quite wet and greasy looking over the scent glands

[LoveMyHams]

Souffle I think you are on to something. I have them separated in the pen but I just stick them in a side. They probably smell each other's scent.

[Hope]

Yup its normal, they are just scent marking, you will notice they do it when you have just put them back in a freshly cleaned cage too.