How to Get Rid of Fleas on Hamsters?

Hamsters are some of the low-maintenance pets you can come across. Given that they prefer the company of other hamsters more than humans, all you need to give them is water, food, and a little bit of cuddling.

However, like any other animal, hamsters make an ideal host to fleas and mites. It is well known that fleas are very productive and multiply to great numbers within a short time. It may start from one flea transfer from other pets. Then a month later, you may have a flown-blown situation in your house.

While fleas may be an irritant, getting rid of them is not rocket science. There are several ways on how to eliminate fleas from your hamsters. However, you first need to learn how to detect fleas on your hamsters; then, you can get a viable solution.

How to Detect Fleas on your Hamster?

The first tell-tale indication you should notice is persistent scratching. Days later, your hamster may gnaw on their skin or aggressively rub on objects in the cage. These are significant pointers that something is wrong with your hairy friends.

The good thing is that hamsters are tiny. So, it does not take a lot of time to give your pet an entire body inspection. Start by parting your hamster’s fur to get a good glimpse at the roots. For a pet with long hair, use a comb.

Then, check on your pet’s beddings. If you are attentive enough, you may notice fleas hidden under your pet’s blankets or the nest. Also, you may discern the presence of flea droppings or flea dirt. This appears like tiny black dots on the beddings and fur.

Note that if you add water to the droppings, they give a red color. That is a clear indication that you have blood-sucking parasites in the vicinity.

Eliminating Hamster Fleas

While your local store may have an abundance of flea treatment options, ensure that you only use those made for hamsters. This is because some chemical composition may endanger your hamster’s health if the spray was meant for other animals.

There are many products, which are safe for smaller pets such as hamsters. The Pestavert spray, is a human-grade, organic spray, which can be used to treat fleas on hamsters.

If you have other pets in the house, such as dog, rabbit, ferret or cat, most likely, they are affected as well. Therefore, simultaneously clean their cages to avoid infesting your hamsters again. Remember that it may take a couple of months to get the flea invasion under control.

Nonetheless, there are several options you can use and get instant results. One is a flea comb, which allows pet owners to scrub and remove the parasites from the fur gently. When you incorporate this with topical medications, the results are faster and long-lasting.

Another effective option is the flea collar. Here, ensure that you follow the instruction to the letter and replace the color once the set time expires.

Do not forget to try out on the flea dips and shampoos. Conversely, be keen on following the guidelines as some products contain very harsh chemicals. In case you get confused about the best product to use, contact a dependable exotic vet.

Cleaning Your House to Eradicate Fleas

Eliminating fleas in your house start by thoroughly scrubbing your hamster’s cage. The next step is to sanitize the cage, let it dry and put clean beddings.

Note that porous substances in the cage make an ideal breeding spot for fleas. So, if you cannot effectively manage to clean them, throwing them away is the best option.

There are specific sprays made to discontinue flea egg production. For better results, enquire from the vet on the most effective treatment to use.

It would not make sense if you clean the cages and fail to vacuum your entire house comprehensively. Most importantly, concentrate on the areas that your pet frequents. For hardwood floors, scrub and spray in between the spaces to eliminate fleas and their eggs.

All in all, take time to read the warnings and instructions on the products to prevent severe reactions to pregnant mothers, asthma patients, and children.

Can Hamsters Die From Fleas?

A couple of fleas may not kill your hamster, but a whole load of infestation would put them down. Bear in mind that flea feeds entirely on blood. Since hamsters are tiny animals, they may not have enough blood to feed hundreds of fleas.

If an invasion is not handled well, hamsters may develop skin inflammation, ugly allergic reactions, and fur loss. Worse, they may become anemic, leading to a slow and painful death.

Can You Get Fleas from Hamsters?

Sometimes, your hamsters may get infected with fleas, yet; you do not have other animals around. It is important to note that wild animals like squirrels, ferrets, or skunks may spread fleas when they come close to the home.

As you run your errands outside, fleas may hang onto your clothes. If you happen to have a pet in the house, they instantly become an ideal breeding spot for fleas. Also, if you take your hamster out of the house, fleas may get a chance of jumping into their fur.

Given that fleas feed on blood, they may spread from your pet’s cage to every corner of your house. Their main intention is to get a piece of you or any other animal in the house. Keep in mind that fleas stay dormant for a long duration till the right environment arises.

Additionally, they perform better in warm conditions. As a result, they may hide till summer when the house becomes warmer.

Does Bathing Your Hamster Help with Fleas?

In case of a dog, bathing you pet can help getting rid of fleas and other parasites, however, with hamsters, this is different.

Hamsters don’t like to get wet and forcing them in water can cause significant stress. So bathing your hamster is not a good idea even if it has fleas. Try using the methods I’ve mentioned above in order to eliminate the fleas and their eggs.

Bottom Line

It is not very common, but hamsters get fleas like any other animal. The situation may worsen if you have other pets living with you as they end up infecting one another. Nonetheless, eradicating fleas is never that complicated.

Instead, start by assessing your pet’s skin if you notice any irritability, excess scratching, or hair loss. If you notice any fleas’ signs, there is a whole load of sprays for your home and your beloved pet.

However, it is important to contact a competent vet to guide you on the best option to use.