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Why is my hamster balding near bum with a dark scent gland spot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Hamster | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 1 month old | 200 lbs

My hamster is a rescue roughly a yr old, just got over a uri and sticky eye which prev owners never noticed. He now is balding alote near his bum and also has a dark spot under his scent glance, vets are shut due to virus had him 4 months and started to slowly notice it I have no idea what is causing this

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 26th, 2020

Typically hair loss in hamsters comes with age. Older hamsters can lose their hair due to a lack of protein (less than 16%) or iron in their diet. Other hamster illnesses can cause hair loss including sarcoptic mange, demodex mites, ringworm or disease such as kidney or Cushing’s disease. When you can get him to a vet for an exam I suggest you do so. In the meantime I suggest that you make sure he has a high quality diet and cut back on cereals if you are giving him any. You can give him one drop of cod liver oil daily. You can also use this spot-on product in case the problem is mites. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-Anti-Parasite-Hamsters-Gerbils-Rabbits/dp/B073H1GXSR/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=hamster+food+oxbow&qid=1587944081&sr=8-8

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