Small insects

Question
Hello,
I went to clean my dwarf hamster's cage today and noticed very small dark insects on the beding and on the hamster's ears.  It seems as if they are feeding off the hamster beacasue there are minor red spots on its ears that look like blood. My guess is that they may be ticks or fleas? Is just washing and cleaning the cage enough to get rid of them or what would you recommend I do?


Answer
Hi Zeddy,

This could be one of two things, either mites or fleas. If you have other pets in the house it is more than likely fleas. Your local pet store should have some special hamster flea powder that you can dust on the bedding where the fleas live. And remember to change the bedding every week. If they do not have hamster flea powder then you can also use kitten powder.

If they are mites, they can be treated with an anti-mites spray designed for caged birds or small animals available at pet shops. The head of the hamster should be shielded to avoid spraying into the eyes and the body sprayed. The cage should be cleaned and sprayed with the anti-mite spray and clean bedding provided. This treatment should be repeated as directed on the anti-mite spray can. If things don't improve within a couple days then the hamster should be taken to the vet.

Thank you for your question and best of luck!