Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my hamster suddenly losing hair on its nose? Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Hamster | Female | 11 months and 20 days old | 0 lbs

Hello,so my hamster started loosing hair on his nose.Yesterday he was fine and today I noticed that he's lost hair.Should I be worried?What could be the possible causes of this?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 25th, 2019

I would be worried about this, yes. It could be due to mites, a skin infection, Bubble scratching or rubbing against abrasive objects such as the rough edge of a toy or bowl, an allergic reaction to the cage bedding, or even moisture left in the cage by a leaking water bottle. I'd have her seen by a vet in the morning to have this diagnosed and treated.

Vote icon

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
She has this scar looking bald spot on her nose for a couple days now. Hasn’t really gone away and it might be getting a little bigger. Not sure what it is.
Considering the picture you showed, this bald spot could be either related to a mite infestation or to a bacterial infection. I would recommend to ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. Appropriate treatment will be then prescribed. 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hamster is losing hair and has red skin all along his belly. One ear look a little dry or crust too. He is 5 months old, still very active and eats normally (although is he looks s little smaller than when we first got him). He seems to drink a lot t
Thanks for reaching out about Snowball and including photos, although they are out of focus and difficult to view. Hair loss and redness on the skin might be indicative of an allergic dermatitis. Any contact with new bedding, fabrics or detergents? Mites or moist dermatitis are also possible. Try removing wood chips, fabrics and replace with paper products like Carefresh. If the condition worsens, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My hamster has been scratching a lot and has been sleeping during the night and he used to be playing a lot at night but has been acting weird. Should I be worried? He also looks like he has bald spots too.
I am sorry to hear about your hamster! I would recommend an examination at the vet given his symptoms of hair loss/itching and lethargy. We do worry in hamsters about mites, bacterial skin infection, and unfortunately some more serious concerns like kidney disease and some cancers. The vet can examine your hamster and determine if treatment is available for what is causing his symtpoms.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our hamster has lost some of her fur on her face and the skin underneath looks quite dry but is not flaking. She is acting fine in herself, eating and drinking the same and has plenty of energy. No sickness/diarrhea either. She does itch herself agai
Thanks for reaching out about Penelope and including a photo. The skin appears inflamed, causes of which could be parasites (mites), bacterial, fungal (ringworm) or a contact allergy. A veterinary visit is recommended to check for mites and ringworm, and thereby prescribe the appropriate medication. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My hamster is around 5 months old and has recently developed an area of fur loss with a red scab underneath it along with small patches. I can’t afford a vet check up and it seems to be getting worse. There’s nothing in my cage that would’ve done thi
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! It is a little difficult to see in the photo, but there is what appears to be a small area of scabbing and hairloss, both of which are patchy on the hip. This can be caused by a skin infection, certain cancers, fungal infections, or skin mites which are very common in hamsters. These mites live within the hair follicles rather than cage surfaces, so cleaning the cage will not get rid of any of the possible causes. Mochi should be seen by a vet who can perform some quick tests on this area of skin to determine the underlying cause and start her on the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, to keep her more comfortable, you can gently trim her nails to keep her from traumatizing herself as she scratches. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our hamster is loosing fur and is looking very wrinkly. She's still eating and drinking well. Should we be concerned?
Yes you should as this could be due to a skin infection, possibly caused by a mite infestation. 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My hamster got bald on her butt, something like losing hair on bottom parts. Is she sick ? How can I treat her sickness ?
Hi there, I'm sorry your little hamster is having trouble. Hair loss can be from a number of things- skin parasites like skin mites are very common in these guys. Also, there can be hair loss from endocrine diseases , overgrooming from stress or other things. Your vet can test your friend for parasites and then prescribe a safe medicine that you can use. Over the counter meds, such as dog and cat flea products, would be too strong and could hurt your pet. if it is not parasites, they can check to see what else might be going on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Lately, my hamster's fur seems to be falling off near her jaw. Is there anything wrong?
That could be commonly caused by a mites infestation or a bacterial infection. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Help!my dwarf hamster is loosing hair and dont know what to do
Alopecia-hair loss in hamster is quite common. The first thing to rule out as most common cause would be external parasites (mostly mites) which the vet can give you treatment to. other causes friction from rubbing against the cage, nutritional, fungal and medical (lymphoma, kidney disease). I would recommend with any hamster with alopecia to be checked by a vet. Good Luck
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My hamster has lost som fur around her genitals. She sleeps alot and she doesn't train on her wheel. I don't see her awake and full of energy that often how I used to before. It is summer here so about two weeks ago we went on a 6 hour trip to an isl
It sounds like your hamster could have a potentially life threatening condition called wet tail. This condition can be brought on by stress (which it sounds like yours may have had some of recently) and it can be quite dangerous. If not treated by a veterinarian asap, it can be fatal. Please seek treatment as soon as you can. In the meantime, clean the cage very well and minimize stress as much as possible; do not hold the hamster or have any new or abnormal conditions to his environment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Hamster & Gerbil Shop Hamster & Gerbil Toys & Habitat Accessories Hamster & Gerbil Food & Treats Hamster & Gerbil Cages & Habitats Hamster & Gerbil Bedding & Litter Hamster & Gerbil Leashes, Harnesses & Carriers Small Animal Supplies Mouse & Rat Shop Mouse & Rat Toys & Habitat Accessories Mouse & Rat Bedding & Litter Clean & Cozy Hamster & Gerbil Shop Nibbles Hamster & Gerbil Toys & Habitat Accessories Petco Hamster & Gerbil Shop Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Shop Peter's Hamster & Gerbil Shop Healthy Select Hamster & Gerbil Shop Nibbles Hamster & Gerbil Shop Nibbles Hamster & Gerbil Food & Treats Oxbow Hamster & Gerbil Shop Sunburst Hamster & Gerbil Shop
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored