Hamster Trouble

[enchancea]

One of my dwarf hamsters is losing hair like crazy. Pretty soon he will probably be hairless. I looked it up on the internet and all I get is mites. But I dont see any mites (at least I could see them when my hermit crabs had them) and it isnt affecting the other hamster in the cage. The skin isnt red or irritated and it doesnt seem to be bothering him. Its just falling out in big clumps.

[Odilla]

well, it could be a couple things other then mites. Although mites are usually the first thing that pops into everyone's head. Check to make sure there are not scabs, bumps, and such.
I have rats, so I'm speaking more from a rat point of view then a hampster.

You have two in the same cage, it could be a domanance issue or a stress issue.
On of my rats goes bald every now and then. It's over grooming by the domanate rat, which causes lots of hair loss in clumps, but the skin is healthy (A bit yellow in some places, but that's natural, I took her into the vet just in case). It could also be stress grooming. With rats, they can reach pretty far. See where the balding is, and watch to see if your hampster is getting a little into his/her grooming.

as long as the skin is healthy, and it's not bothering the hampster, it should be okay. try changing the living arangements, give more toys, and see how the other one is feeling, cause grouchy animal can take it out on thier cage mates.

I hope I helped.

[Valkie]

Expecially if both hampsters are the same sex. Hampsters can be very territorial and are naturally solitary creatures.

Also, sometimes if they suffer from bordom, they will pull their fur out. Do you have an excersise wheel?

[enchancea]

Only Syrian hamsters are solitary. Dwarf hamsters do better in groups. I have never seen them groom each other, but they might do it when Im not around. They have alot of toys, their own wheel, tubes etc.... The skin is fine and healthy. I just really dont understand it. His cagemate is fine. No hair loss at all. They dont have much contact with each other, sometimes I see them sleeping together. So far there hasnt been any fighting, theres more love in this cage than fighting lol And yes they are both male for sure. The fur comes out and gets matted into a big mess and I end up having to cut it down short and then the rest comes out on its own. I've had dwarf hamsters for 5 years now and never had this happen. Its just really confusing.