Bald spots are not that uncommon for hamsters and other rodent pets, and there is an array of possible causes.
Diffuse symmetrical thinning of fur is normal for hamsters as they age. A mature hamster could even develop some bald spots that do not signal a problem. If your pet is still young, patchy fur loss could be due to abnormal causes, especially if the onset is sudden and there are behavioral or other changes, too. Mites and parasites, imbalanced nutrition, stress, and general health concerns, such as a kidney disorder, are among the common causes of bald spots in hamsters.
Consider the following possible causes of abnormal patchy hair loss.
COMMON CAUSES OF BALD SPOTS IN HAMSTERS
Mites
Many rodent pets normally have small numbers of mites, and they are not usually bothersome. However, if the animal’s immune system becomes weaker or the hamster develops another health problem, mites could spread pathologically.
Some of the most common clinical signs of mites include red, inflamed, and itchy skin. The irritation is particularly noticeable on the face and ears. Affected animals may be restless and scratch a lot, some rub against the bars of the cage.
A veterinarian can diagnose a pet by clinical examination and scraping the affected area of the skin to collect a sample to test for a definitive diagnosis. Treatments may include topical medications or injections.
If you suspect mites to be the problem, it is going to be important to clean the entire cage thoroughly and change or wash all items in it, before undertaking all other interventions.
Stress
Anxiety and stress mostly cause bold spots by inducing some behavioral changes, specifically overgrooming and rubbing against the cage.
The sources of stress could be numerous:
- Being in a new environment
- The habitat is placed in a less-than-ideal spot in your house – an area that is noisy or has too much direct sunlight
- Another pet, even if unable to reach into the hamster’s habitat, could cause anxiety in your little pet. A dog or a cat could be either curious or preying on the rodent. Their presence alone could be frightening for your hamster.
- If the affected hamster lives with another fellow hamster in one cage and they do not get along, especially if they are both males, that would certainly lead to stress. In addition, the two animals could fight and cause fur loss that way, too.
Identifying the stressor is key to addressing the problem. If there was a recent change in the environment, consider that a potentially stressful event for your hamster.
Nutrition
Deficiencies of certain vitamins, namely the vitamin B group, could lead to dry skin, dull fur, and loss of fur. Lack of protein in the diet could cause similar issues. It is more likely that fur loss would be diffuse rather than patchy, although bold spots are also possible.
Diet changes are the solution. The most common dietary deficiency that impacts the quality of a hamster’s fur is low vitamin B12. Yeast tablets are given every week or so. They are safe and effective but is important to consult with a veterinarian if you would like to add some supplements to your hamster’s diet. A professional may notice other problems on the exam and could recommend more specific interventions.
If you feed your pet pellets produced specifically for hamsters as the core of the diet, your hamster is at lower risk of deficiency but it is still possible.
Ringworm
This highly contagious skin condition is a common cause of patchy hair loss in hamsters. Bald spots develop as circles that widen and multiply. The skin exposed by the lost fur is scaly but not necessarily itchy, and some pets do not appear bothered until ringworm spreads.
Ringworm is curable but is hard to treat, and it is crucial to start treating it when the characteristic spots just appear. It becomes very challenging to treat ringworm if it is advanced.
You need to isolate your pet from any other pets until it recovers. You would also need to replace every item in your pet’s habitat. Linens should be washed in hot water.
Treatments usually include an ointment. Your veterinarian would check for the presence of any remaining ringworm after a period of treatment. The bald spots eventually disappear.
Ringworm can infect people too, especially kids and people with diminished immune responses.
General Health Concerns
Among the most common health problems in hamsters that could, among other signs and symptoms, cause hair loss is chronic kidney disease.
You should consider the possibility of kidney disease if your hamster does not urinate regularly or, more commonly, urinate more than usual. Animals also drink a lot of water when they have kidney issues. Most pets lose a lot of weight, could have blood in their pee, and have bulging eyes. Fur loss is very common. As the disease progresses, the affected animal may need to be put to sleep, as the quality of his life deteriorates.
Allergy
Pets can have allergies to anything in their environment, particularly their bedding or something in their food.
If your hamster appears healthy in general but rubs his sides or face on the cage a lot and is developing bald spots, he might be itchy due to an allergy. It is not easy to figure out what could be the source, unless your pet recently got new pellets, for example.
You could use the method of elimination. Start by cleaning the habitat and changing the type of bedding you use. Then try eliminating treats, pellets, and other foods he is eating for a few days.
Addressing Abnormal Fur Loss
Of course, if you have a good amount of certainty that something in your hamster’s environment could be the trigger for your pet’s patchy or diffuse hair loss, you can address the issue promptly. Sometimes the problem is not that obvious and you need to consider a variety of possible environmental concerns.
Analyze any other changes in your hamster’s disposition and health. Doing so could help you figure out that hair loss is due to a general health problem.
Also, consider anything that has changed in the environment recently. That could include getting another pet, moving, or even smaller changes, such as new bedding or a change in the diet. Anything new in the food or the environment that coincided with the onset of alopecia is suspected to be the trigger.
If you are not sure what the issue is or think that a bigger health problem or an allergy could be making your hamster go bold, see a veterinarian. VCA Animals Hospitals points out that small animals also need at least an annual health check-up. Many owners of hamsters and other rodent pets believe that one is not necessary, since rodents do not get vaccines. Other routine check-ups and maintenance needs are addressed at an annual exam for your hamster. Checking for parasites, skin, and other health problems can certainly be part of the annual visit.
Related Questions:
Why Is My Hamster Always Hiding? Hamsters do naturally hide and burrow, and their nocturnal sleep cycle often makes it seem as if they sleep and hide more than they actually do. If your hamster has regular periods of activity, then he is probably doing fine. If your pet’s behavior changed recently or suddenly, his eating and voiding patterns are different and he moves around less, then you should pay attention.
