My hamster has mites. Should I put my new hamster in another room?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dwarf hamster has mites and we got a Syrian hamster just the other day who is in a separate cage. Do you recommend we keep them in entirely different rooms since my dwarf has mites?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 4th, 2018
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Mites are typically transmitted via close contact and occasionally things like bedding and soft toys. I recommend d keeping both hamsters separated, but different rooms may not be necessary as long as they do not share toys or bedding/nesting material. You should be careful to wash your hands and consider changing clothing to prevent the spread of mites from one hamster to the other. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I have two hamsters, male. They are both new and they fight a lot so I decided to separate them. One on them has a wheel in the cage and the other does not. I have read that hamsters need a wheel at night because they are nocturnal animals. Is it
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! It is definitely a good idea to separate your hamsters to avoid fighting. While a running wheel or ball are great activities it doesn’t necessarily meet a hamster’s normal behavior to burrow. I recommend providing plenty of nesting material in both cages. You can also provide various tubes that encourage further burrowing or huts that allow for hiding and establishing a territory. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
They are often scratching there bodies
Cute little hamsters! It’s possible they have mites or fleas which can be treated. They need to visit the veterinarian for testing to know if parasites are the problem. They will then be treated with appropriate medication and dosage. Allergies or dusty bedding could also cause irritation. I recommend a bedding called Carefresh or aspen pellets. These are dust free so they don’t cause irritation. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed a small red spot on my hamster and asked a question on here. Now i just noticed that he got more. Now there are more then 3 now! What do i do?!
It could possibly be mange (mites in the hair follicles), ringworm (a fungal infection), or a bacterial skin infection. As ringworm is contagious to people and can spread rapidly, I recommend bringing your hamster to a vet for an examination and diagnostics based on the appearance of the lesions. In the meantime I would recommend handling your hamster with gloves and bathing with an antibacterial/antifungal shampoo such as Malaseb shampoo if you have access to this without a prescription where you live.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Someone said my hamster Oscar probably has Respiratory illness and i was just wondering if it’s possible for him to give it to my other hamsters? they are in separate cages but sorta close by.
If your hamster is older and has never been ill, he is less likely to have a contagious respiratory illness. If the hamsters have all been near each other for a long time, this also decreases the chance they could spread illness. If you have recently gotten new hamsters, they are more likely to transfer something...it could be spread through the air or from you touching one cage then another. Wash your hands between handling and handle the sick hamster last. He should go to the vet to get checked out and see what might be going on with him.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Grooming
My dwarf hamster Moo Moo, is scratching herself a lot, I know it's not grooming, I don't use scented bedding, and he seems uncomfortable. What do you think it could be or how can I help her? Or cores if you think he needs vet attention we will get hi
Moo Moo may have mites. Take a magnifying glass and inspect his fur. You may see mites crawling around, or skin damage. You should be able to get a mite spray at a pet shop to treat Moo Moo with. You will need to completely clean out the cage, replace the bedding, disinfect the toys and the cage. Hopefully that will exterminate them.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Hello, I have 12 baby hamsters which i have to keep due to the Covid-19 virus. I must seperate them from different genders-4 males and 8 females. I know that syrian hamsters are solitary and will possibly fight to death. Can you help me prevent this
Thanks for reaching out. Contact a local pet store (Petco, Petsmart, other) or a humane society, for possible relinquishment, if babies are weaned and eating on their own. Separation into smaller groups might help in the short term, but you need many cages. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
two hamsters that live together as they were brought up together being Russian, last night they were play/fighting so I decided to put them in different cages whilst they were both asleep. after Alice just sat in the corner, so I decided to put them
Unfortunately yes, it can be very common for hamsters that are housed together to start fighting. This can occur even if the hamsters have always been together. I would recommend keeping them separated for a couple days and then trying to re-introduce them again like you did last night. Hopefully they will be able to get along with each other in the long run. If not, to keep them safe, you'll have to keep them separated. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I don’t know whats wrong with my hamster but I don’t think they’re hamster mites because he was with another hamter for weeks and she didn’t get infected. I’ve cleaned everything, changed the bedding (shredded tissue paper) several times he’s not get
Thanks for reaching out about Reese and including photos. By the pictures, this does look like ear mites. These mites are not visible with the naked eye and require a microscopic examination of an ear scrape. At the veterinary visit, a treatment plan can be implemented. It is agreed, it one hamster has mites, they all have mites but maybe not visible yet. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I brought a dwarf winter white hamster in March I am thinking about adopting a less fortunate dwarf hamster but what type should I get without causing any stress to my existing hamster or should I just buy another cage?
There are certain hamsters that will tolerate one another, but in general, they are solitary. The safest option would be to have two cages for the hamsters. This would be especially important in case there is a male and a female or two males. I hope that this gives you a place to start!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Hamster has been itching/scratching herself for 2 hours. We’ve had her for two weeks. This is the first time I’ve seen this behavior from her
This is probably due to a mite infestation, i would recommend going to the pet shop and buy special topical drops against mites for small mammals, apply the recommended amount once a week for 3 weeks, if this is mites this should solve the problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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