Somethings wrong with my hamster?

Question

I got a dwarf hamster 6months ago who was being beat up by all the other hamsters in her cage to the point that she was bleeding. I didn't handle her because she needed to have her wounds healed. Well now she bites. Like I can't even change her waterbottle or food without her comeing out and going after my hand. I have to clip her nails but she bites so much that I'm afraid a vet won't do it. And she also has no hair underneath her neck. Its that a result of her battles or is she sick. She makes noises at night too, like sqeaky noises. I have never had a hamster do that. Plz help me. I feel like I have an abused child!

Answer 1

I've had a few hamsters, but I've never had one do that.  The missing hair may be from the fighting, but it could also be from her being sick, like you said.

I suggest you call the vet, and depending on what they say, decide what to do.

Answer 2

aww! poor little girl. your hamsters hair could be falling out bcause she got in a fight, or she is stressed. try wearing gloves whe you pick her up, so she gets used to it again.

Answer 3

dwarf hamsters always bite, you can use gloves so you dont feel its bite. if you are very worried, talk to a vet or pet store.

=]]

Answer 4

put a plastic box in his cage, with a treat inside. when he crawls in, close the lid and take him to the vet.

Answer 5

It's sad that your hamster is being beat up.  You really should have her separated from the other hamsters in her cage if you have not done so already.  I had a pair of dwarf hamsters that did that and, well, I ended up with only one.  It turns out it didn't matter that they were sisters, one still killed the other.

As for her whole 'illness' thing, it'd be easiest to tell if you separated her because then you could tell if the hair would grow back in.  If she was still in the cage with the others, it probably wouldn't because she'd be stressed.

Stress is another thing.  If your hamster is too stressed, which it might be because she is getting beat up, she can lose hair, lose her appetite, etc.  So if you separate her, she could calm down.  If you already have, give her a few days and see if it's starting to come back.  If not, she might be sick with one thing or another.

This is a website that talks a little bit about the whole hair loss thing and about the biting:

http://www.petinfo4u.com/advanced_small_...

I would recommend that you wear gloves when you pick your hamster up.  Like garden gloves, something with a little cloth so it won't hurt you as much if she bites you.  You might want to keep them in your room a little while before you start using them though.  If they're clean, sleep with them under your pillow, leave them on the floor, etc just so it'll start to smell like you and she won't attack it because it's too different.  

More than likely she'll still bite, but the goal is not to flinch or drop her when she does.  Doing this scares the hamster and it loses trust in you.  So, not to encourage biting, but let her.  Once you can stop flinching and hold her (with gloves on) she'll start to calm down a little bit.  Keep in mind you'll have to try to hold her everyday so she gets used to being handled.  Try to do this at the same time everyday.  Now that you're out of school, you might not have anything to do all day (like me!) so this would be very easy.  Try every evening before you go to bed.  Make sure you're up in your room around the same time everyday though.  This will give her a sense of routine and after awhile she won't be quite as scared when you come in.  She might at first though, but stay persistent and it'll all be worth it in the end.

Now for the squeaking noises.  Sit down, lay your head back, and chill!  It's okay.  I had never had a hamster chirp before I adopted my friend's hamsters.  Some hamsters squeak//chirp and others do not.  It's sort of like a preference thing.  Like with people, some prefer to sing and others prefer to keep to themselves.  Your hamster is just unique and there is nothing wrong with it.

Now why your hamster is doing this may vary.  In all, it's nothing to be alarmed about, it's just sometimes it means more than one thing.  At night, my hamsters chirped for my attention.  They wanted me to play with them.  Then when I played with them, they chirped because they wanted a treat, a reward for being good.  They kept it up a little while after their treat though to see if they could get another.  Your hamster may be talking to herself, trying to get your attention, hungry, or just plain bored.  Just like people sing when they want attention or they're bored, hamsters are looking for some way to entertain themselves as well.  So while I've listed a few things, you hamster may be trying to tell you something completely different.  Give her a wheel, a wire one is preferable since plastic ones get peed on and smell bad (and they're hard to get the smell out!).  It might solve the bored thing.  Put on some gloves and lay your hand in her cage, not only will this give her something to look at, but once she recognizes it as you, you'll be able to develop a little trust with her.  Keep your hand still and put a treat on it.  Whatever you do, don't try to hold her.  Simply let her take the treat and walk away.  Eventually, the goal is that she'll sit on your palm while she eats, but it may take awhile to get there.

Just stay patient and keep a good pair of thick gloves around!  She'll come around soon enough if you're loving and gentle with her.  ^^

Please do not hesitate to email me if you need further help or assistance with your little hamster.  I'd love to help all I can. (: