Hamster is scratching?

Question

My hamster has been scratching a lot. She has had a spot on her back for over a month where the fur is sort-of sparse and I was worried about that before. Now a couple days ago she started rubbing her back against her cage, scratching with her paws, and rubbing against her food dish. I'm concerned and want to know if I should take her to the vet. Our family isn't the richest and don't want to take her unless it's necessary. I think it is and I'm trying to convince my parents. So please, if you can, answer my question!

Answer 1

Scratching and losing fur are signs of mites or mange.

You can take her to a vet who can prescribe anti-mite sprays and give her a good cleaning.

If you want to do it at home yourself, buy a good brand anti mite spray for rodents (available at any pet shop). Do not spray the medicine directly on the hamster but apply some on a small soft sterile brush, comb the brush on the hamster and then use a small cloth or tissue paper to dry off the hamster.

When you are using the anti mite on your hamsters, be very gentle with them and shield the head of the hamster to avoid the anti mite getting into their eyes. This treatment should be repeated as directed on the anti-mite spray.

Hamsters suffering from mites should be isolated from any other hamsters or animals and be placed in a clean room / cage (make sure that the room or cage does not have mites in it) of their own to avoid spreading mites to other animals.

Hamsters usually get mites from other animals infested by it or from their bedding. Disinfect their cage, wheel, food dish, water bottle, anything that has been in contact with your hamster and spray the anti mite medicine on the cage and other items. Allow it to dry.

Treat other pets to stop it from spreading to one pet to the next.

Answer 2

I think it is dry skin or mites. Both are easy and inexpensive. Mites are pin point size little bugs that burrow up in the skin and suck blood. They are allot like a chigger. They will take over very quickly and can kill your hamster. You can get mite spray at any local pet store or Wal-Mart for about 5 dollars.Also clean the cage regularly and spray the mite spray on the bottom of the cage and put the litter over to prevent anymore from coming.Do not use cedar bedding allot of critters can be allergic and may cause scratching and hair loss. Also you can get conditioning spray for its hair for about 5 dollars also. Start with litter and mite spray.