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Why is my new hamster scratching, grooming, and drinking so much?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Hamster | Female | unspayed

My new hamster keeps scratching and grooming like every five minutes Is this a bad thing or does it just mean she has settled in? And she also won’t stop drinking huge amounts all the time.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 9th, 2019

Most commonly this presentation is due to a skin infection, possibly due to mites infestation. Allergies (less likely) and other type of infections are possible as well. ). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to allergies or possibly skin parasites. Regardless, if this continues, it needs to be assessed and possibly treated by a veterinarian. Hopefully it goes away on its own. If not, have her evaluated then. Have a good night!

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