Syrian Scent Glands

[PatricksMum]

This thread has been a godsend! We have been noticed wet patches on Patricks back and he had one in the exact same spot the other side. It was like he had licked them and the fur was wettish and flat. When I stroked his fur I noticed the darker patches and the same the other side. I was thinking all sorts then did a search and it came up with this thread. Phew!! Now I know what they are.. makes sense though as I did a mini clean out last night on one half of the cage so they were probably working overtime!!

[Munchies]

Oooooooh!!! That's what the wet patch is!! I learn something new every day on HC

[hforhammy]

This post make me feel so relieved.
Everyday at a particular time, my hammy will rub herself and I will find the scent glands area very very wet, and the hair get stick together. I thought it's some kind of disease.

Now I know it's safe and normal.

Thankyou !

[Gizmoandfriends]

I saw that they were there the other day, how funny! I thought it would be underneath like my gerbils

[AnimalLover22]

Thank you for posting this, it's really helpful, i was worried my hammies had something wrong! mind at ease.

[Mrs Livingston]

Thanks for this post! Livvy was a proficient scent marker but I'd never seen them like this - really informative.

Paws is a delight!

[Rosiemum]

Question-is scent rubbing a sign of the hamster being timid? Ours seems to get really hyper and scent rub everywhere especially if she is out to play in her run. After being there for about 5 minutes she goes hyper and scent rubs everywhere. She's had this run/play area for months now so it's not new.

[souffle]

I don't think it is a sign of being timid - more just a need to scent everything well in an area they don't actually live in full time. Sometimes if you have handled them they do it more to rub their scent back over their own body and your scent off them!
Do any other hamsters or animals go near the pen? She may want to scent over that smell.

[Snowz]

Brilliant information!

[Blackraven75]

Thank you for posting this...I have an 8week old Syrian that I've only had for a week and I've managed to tame the little guy and now he is great. I noticed a little patch like you showed and was starting to worry about it...also the rubbing around his cage this evening as I had cleaned him out today. Phew all is good lol ty )