Hamsters need to be dewormed under certain circumstances.
Like cats and dogs, hamsters can also get infected with various parasites. The worse the living environment is, the higher the chance of infection. Hamsters' parasites can be divided into internal and external parasites:
External Parasites: Such as fleas, mites, and lice. These are usually contracted in the wild or in places with extremely poor living conditions. External parasites are visible to the naked eye, easy to spot, and easy to treat. For example, when a hamster shows abnormal behaviors like scratching and biting itself constantly, you should part its fur to check for parasites like fleas. Mites can cause symptoms like hair loss, scaly skin, dry skin, and red spots on hamsters.
Internal Parasites: These are generally difficult to detect. You need to observe the hamster's mental state, appetite, and feces to make a judgment. If a hamster looks listless, has a poor appetite, is losing weight, or you find small white worms in its feces, it may be infected with internal parasites.
However, if the living environment is clean, hamsters usually don't have parasite problems. So, 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 doesn't show any of the above symptoms of parasite infection, it generally doesn't need to be dewormed. But if a hamster shows related symptoms or its living environment is poor, then it needs to be dewormed in a timely manner to ensure its health.
Please note that when deworming a hamster, you must choose medications suitable for its age and weight and follow the instructions on the package strictly. If the situation is serious or you can't determine the type of parasite, it is recommended that you seek professional veterinary help immediately.