Contented hamster but scratching

[Pebbles82]

Charlie seems very contented in his cage just recently and has been coming to the bars to come out more as well. Last night he did plenty of yawning, stretching, playing around, lying down and exploring his cage. He seems much happier since I put a vine branch in the empty corner of his cage and likes climbing it and sitting on it and crawling under it. However I noticed he was scratching quite a lot last night - scratching round his ears, scratching with his back leg like dogs do, and biting his tummy. He'd stop for a bit and then do it again. I am thinking oh oh. Has he got something. The vine branch was sandblasted and on top of that I had it in the deep freezer for 2 or 3 days then thawed out, before putting it in the cage, just in case there was anything living in it! The only other change has been food over the last few days - I got some JR Farm adult hamster mix and have been gradually introducing it, mixing with his usual Harry Hamster, but it seems to have an awful lot of loose bits like bits of hay or herbs. I think I'll stop it anyway as he just eats the Harry Hamster and leaves the new stuff so doesn't seem keen on it. I have also frozen anything that had hay before now but didn't think to freeze hamster food. So I am wondering if there is hay and wheat ears in the food, if I could have introduced some bugs or mites?

I will keep an eye on it, but just in case, I wondered if anyone has used homeopathy with hamsters - and if so, if they can recommend anything - I know it can work wonders with animals and a lot of vets use homeopathic medicines for animals because they are safe - either as a mite prevention or just a general skin itching thing.

[2LittlePuds]

It sounds like he was just cleaning himself. Squibbles will sit and do that for a while occasionally. Looks like hes itching himself but im pretty sure theyre just cleaning.

[cypher]

I think it's unlikely there's something in the food making him itch & you've taken every precaution with the other things so it probably is just grooming.
Keep an eye on him over the next few days & as long as he's not showing any other signs of skin irritation I wouldn't worry.
I really wouldn't recommend using homeopathy as a preventative it really needs to be used for specific symptoms.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks! I'll keep an eye on it. I don't suppose homeopathy would be much use if he had mites anyway.

[Shana]

As others have said, it sounds like normal grooming. Hamsters spend much of their awake time grooming. Mitzi grooms for about half an hour after she wakes up, and then takes breaks from playing or eating every few minutes to "freshen up".

I've also noticed that when she has a new toy or is particularly excited, she moves faster, takes grooming breaks more often, and her grooming seems more animated somehow. It's like her whole routine is sped up. It sounds like Charlie is pretty enthusiastic about his new branch, so that could be what he was doing.

[DrKMcK]

Hi Serendipity. I'd watch him and see if the scratching continues or increases. It may well be grooming, but if it looks like it's getting worse you can get beaphar Spot On. It works just the same as with drops for dogs and cats, but it's made for gerbils and hamsters. I found it on ebay and have it on hand just in case.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks very much. He used to groom a lot when we first got him but it makes me realise we hardly ever see him doing it much any more. Yes will keep an eye on it and thanks for the tip Dr McK.