Health & Behavior
Why is my hamster scratching? Mites and other causes
If your hamster is scratching frequently, intensely, or enough to damage the skin, do not assume it is just normal…
Jenny B.
Jenny B. covers the everyday questions that come with caring for a hamster, especially health, behavior, housing, and the moments when an owner is not sure whether something is normal. She focuses on sorting practical concerns from real warning signs and making hamster welfare guidance easier to use at home.
Articles by this author
Health & Behavior
How to find an escaped hamster safely
If your hamster escapes, contain the search area first. Close doors, secure cats and dogs elsewhere, stop using appliances the…
Health & Behavior
Hamster runny nose: causes and when to see a vet
A runny nose in a hamster should be taken seriously. Nasal discharge can occur with respiratory infection, but dusty or…
Health & Behavior
How to bond with your hamster without rushing it
Bonding with a hamster is less about following a fixed timeline and more about letting the hamster learn that your…
Health & Behavior
Why is my hamster losing weight? Causes & when to see a vet
Unexplained weight loss in a hamster is a reason to contact a hamster-experienced vet. Dental problems can make eating painful…
Health & Behavior
Hamster constipation: signs, causes and when to see a vet
Constipation in hamsters can show up as hard, dry droppings, straining, abdominal discomfort or noticeably reduced stool output. Do not…
Health & Behavior
Hamster Closed Eye: Why It Happens and When to Worry
A hamster keeping one eye closed while awake can have crusted discharge, conjunctivitis, irritation, an eye injury, or another eye…
Health & Behavior
Hamster eye infection: signs, causes and when to see a vet
A hamster with a weepy, crusted, swollen, red, or closed eye should be checked by a veterinarian promptly. These signs…
Health & Behavior
Why is my hamster losing hair? Causes and warning signs
Hair loss in a hamster can come from mites, fungal infection, rubbing, nutritional problems, age-related changes or underlying disease, so…
Health & Behavior
Hamster lump: abscess, tumor or cheek pouch problem?
A new lump on a hamster should be checked by a hamster-experienced vet promptly. Abscesses and tumors are two important…
Health & Behavior
Hamster diarrhea: when it could be wet tail
Diarrhea in a hamster deserves prompt attention. A sudden diet change or too much fresh food can contribute to digestive…
Health & Behavior
Hamster enrichment: what actually improves welfare
Good hamster enrichment is less about buying toys and more about giving a hamster ways to perform normal behaviors. The…
Health & Behavior
Do hamsters recognize their owners? What research shows
Hamsters can become familiar with their owner’s smell, presence and handling routine, and they may behave differently around a familiar…
Health & Behavior
Do hamsters like being held? How to tell
Some hamsters learn to enjoy being handled, some tolerate it comfortably, and others would rather interact without being held. Woodgreen…
Health & Behavior
Do hamsters need a friend? Why living alone is usually safer
No, a pet hamster does not need another hamster for companionship. Syrian and Chinese hamsters should live alone. Dwarf species…