Is My Hamster Going Bald?

Is my hamster going bald? You go to feed your hamster and you notice that it's fur appears to be thinner or it has bald patches. You begin to wonder if hamsters can go bald as part of their natural aging process. Hair loss in hamsters does occur. However, there are multiple things that can lead to hair loss in your small pet.

Another name for hair loss in alopecia. Alopecia means both partial and complete hair loss. In hamsters this usually occurs around the hamsters rear, tail, and face. However, it isn't always limited to those areas. Your hamster may have strange patterns or patches where their fur is completely gone or they may just have thinning hair. Either way it's alopecia and you should try to figure out its cause.

If your hamster is suffering from hair loss it should be quite noticeable. Along with the hamsters missing hair you may notice other symptoms. The symptoms depend on the underlying cause of the alopecia. Hamsters that have a poor diet and have a vitamin or mineral deficiency are also likely to have dull fur, and they may also appear to have less energy. If your hamster has hair loss and appears to have red skin and its scratching itself a lot it could have ticks or mites. If you have multiple hamsters they may fight or chew off each other's hair. If this is the cause hamsters typically have bite marks and injuries as well as the hair loss.

If you notice hair loss and any other abnormal changes in your hamsters appearance or behavior you should consult your veterinarian. A vet can examine a hamster and run tests as needed. With the underlying cause identified, treatment can begin.

In some cases a hamster may have over groomed or rubbed off its hair on the cage or something else in its cage. Other causes of alopecia may require you to improve your hamster's diet or give it vitamin supplements. If parasites, disorders, or a disease are to blame, you veterinarian can probably prescribe medication.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.