Friend's Dwarf Hamster looks "greasy"

[Pippin]

Hello everyone in the hamster forums! Have a quick question for you. My friend has a single baby female dwarf hamster and she is worried about it's fur looking greasy or wet. Does anyone have an idea what might cause this? Ask anything else you need to know and I will ask her. Thanks in advance!!

[mfishman]

it could be that the hamster cleans itself or it might be that the hamster is getting wet by the water bottle.

[Pippin]

Ok, thanks! She did mention that the hamster had made her nest near the water bottle but she wanted to make sure that it wasn't a sign of something that could be wrong. You can never worry too much about your pets ;) .

[hamsterhaven]

Ok, thanks! She did mention that the hamster had made her nest near the water bottle but she wanted to make sure that it wasn't a sign of something that could be wrong. You can never worry too much about your pets ;) .

If you find out that it is not caused from the water bottle and that the hammy's fur is greasy you can do something about it. I buy the Chinchilla SAND (not dust). Pour some of it in a bowl of some type (I use the "Critterbath". They sell it at most pet stores). When the hamster gets in it and rolls around it enables the hammy to shake off any excess oil that it produces. My hammies love it. Change it every few days or so. They will start using it as a potty if you don't. Make sure you DO NOT get the dust. It has been known to give hamsters respiratory problems, but the sand is perfectly fine for them.

Hope this helps.

[Pippin]

Ok, thanks!! I'll tell her about that tommorow.

[FemaleCheetah]

buy some chin. sand... it helps.