Mites?!

[Karen]

My new hammy rubs her body against walls and kind of shakes her head and scratches. I thought the rubbing against stuff was maybe marking her territory, rubbing out my last hammy's scent or something. But I don't know now. I can't see any on her but she never sits still enough to get a good look. Anyway, she doesn't have any bald spots or anything, yet. Has anyone used the mite spray? Lorraine Hill in her book says get the spray used on birds. Also, do Hammies mark their territory? Do they have scent glands on the sides of their bodies? Anyone know?

[Yinx]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong - if it's a Syrian hamster, the scent glands are located at the hips of the hamster. For a dwarf hamster, the scent gland is located at the belly-button (underside of the hamster, mid-section). Yes, hamsters do mark their territory, esp just after their cage has been washed.

I'm not sure if u do have a mite problem. Just remember to change the bedding & wash the cage once a wk, & the mites will stay away.

[Karen]

Thanks Yinx. Yes, I washed her cage thoughly last nigh and first thing she did was rub it down. I found in a book that this "side rubbing" is real common, especially with syrians, which she is. I don't know about the mites either. If she has them she brought them with her from the pet shop. I'll just keep an eye on her and keep her cage clean like you suggest.