Hamsters are a great animal for anyone to have, but sometimes things go wrong with them. You might notice issues with your hamster’s fur, such as it sticking up. So, why is your hamster’s fur sticking up?
Your hamster’s fur sticking up can be a sign of respiratory issues such as a cold, allergies from its cage, or mites, which is a common problem with hamsters. For serious respiratory or mite issues, you should take your hamster to a vet; otherwise, you just need to keep its fur clean.
This article explains the two main reasons why your hamster’s fur might be sticking up. Additionally, I’ll explain how to take care of your hamster’s fur (to prevent issues like its fur sticking up), and how to keep your hamster healthy.
Reasons Your Hamster’s Fur Is Sticking Up
Hamsters may face fur issues throughout their lives, like their fur sticking up. The reason for their fur sticking up can vary depending on the causes and whether or not you notice the issue right away, as some fur issues are more obvious than others.
The following section will explain a few common reasons your hamster’s fur sticks up, such as respiratory issues and fur mites:
You Hamster Has Respiratory Issues
When you notice your hamster has fur sticking up, it could signify a respiratory problem. If it is a respiratory problem, there are other symptoms you should look for. Some of these symptoms include:
- Coughing. Your hamster’s coughing might sound more like wheezing since hamsters are so small.
- Loss of appetite. You should always monitor your hamster’s eating habits. But, if it’s not eating normally, you notice its fur sticking up, and it’s coughing, a respiratory problem is likely.
Some respiratory issues that a hamster can have are similar to the ones that humans have. For example, hamsters can catch a cold just like humans. Usually, if a hamster has a cold, they catch it from a human.
Therefore, if you or anyone in your household has a cold, keep them away from the hamster until their cold goes away.
Your hamster might also have allergies. If you suspect this, clean its cage. You should also make sure you put nothing new in the cage or in the room around them, as this could cause allergies.
While allergies are a common issue with hamsters, it could still be a more serious probl