Hamster Wont stop Sneezing Unless In Her Cage Sleeping

Question
I have a Fancy European Hamster or Black Bear. She has started sneezing yesterday around 10pm central. I have looked up some information and I don't know if she has a cold or an allergic reaction. Please help! She's about 1yr and a few months old.

Answer
Hi Megan

Thanks for your question.

The fact that your hamster starts sneezing when they are out of their cage makes me think this is an allergic reaction to something.

If she had a cold, she would behave the same inside and outside her cage.  Also, with colds there are other symptoms - shivering, runny nose, watery eyes etc.

Hamsters are very shortsighted and rely heavily on their sense of smell.  Therefore their noses are very sensitive to any smell around them.  If you have any air freshners, pot pourri or similar in the same room as a hamster this can make them sneeze and in severe cases cause respiratory problems.

I would suggest you have a look around the room and see if there are any plants, perfumes, air freshners (even the plug in varieties) that she could be reacting to.  If so, you might want to relocate them and see if this helps at all.

If she just sneezes in her cage, then I would think it is her bedding, but from what you have said there is something in your surroundings rather than hers, that is causing a problem for her.

I hope this helps.

Regards
Sheila