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My hamster has hair loss, drinks more, and was inactive. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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

My female syrian hamster didn't move for two days, and now is active again. The temperature was 70F which is ideal, she has safe bedding and a safe wheel, but she does have a balding patch on her side. She's alsp been drinking more. My vet doesn't know what it could be, do you have any advice? She is 1-2 years old and was rescued from a hamster mill, I adopted her and have cared for her for almost a year now.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 16th, 2019

Hair loss in hamsters can be due to many things including:

* Rubbing on metal cage feeders or excessive burrowing; usually the hair loss is around the face
* Cage overcrowding, wounds from fighting, hair chewing by cage mates
* Vitamin, mineral, or protein deficiency (general hair loss and not usually just a patch here and there)
* Ticks, mites, and other ectoparasites
* T-cell lymphoma
* Thyroid gland hormone imbalance and inflammation of kidneys (rare)

I would be a bit worried about her having T-cell lymphoma or a thyroid issue due to her age and the fact that she is not itching, sleeping more and drinking more. I suggest you talk to your vet about these possibilities. If your vet is not used to treating hamsters you may want to find one that is.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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