Hamsters need to be dewormed under certain circumstances.
Like cats and dogs, hamsters can also be infected with various parasites. The worse the living environment, the higher the chance of infection. Hamster parasites can be divided into internal parasites and external parasites:
External Parasites
External parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice are usually contracted in the wild or in places with extremely poor living conditions. These external parasites are visible to the naked eye, making them easy to spot and treat. For example, when a hamster shows abnormal behaviors like scratching itself constantly or biting its own body, you need to part its fur to check for parasites such as fleas. Mites can cause symptoms in hamsters such as hair loss, scaly skin, dry skin, and the appearance of red spots.
Internal Parasites
Internal parasites are generally difficult to detect. You need to observe the hamster's mental state, appetite, and feces to make a judgment. If a hamster is in poor spirits, has a loss of appetite, appears emaciated, or if white worms are found in its feces, it may be infected with internal parasites.
However, if the living environment is clean, hamsters usually don't have problems with parasites. Therefore, whether a hamster needs to be dewormed mainly depends on its living environment and health condition. If a hamster lives in a clean and hygienic environment and does not show any of the above symptoms of parasite infection, then generally, there is no need for deworming. But if a hamster shows relevant symptoms or lives in a poor environment, then it is necessary to deworm it in a timely manner to ensure its health.
Please note that when deworming a hamster, be sure to choose a drug suitable for its age and weight and follow the instructions strictly. If the situation is serious or you are unable to determine the type of parasite, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a professional veterinarian promptly.