How to Heal a Scratch on a Hamster

How to Heal a Scratch on a Hamster. Hamsters make delightful rodent pets for children and adults alike, as they're cute, relatively docile and easy to care for. Hamsters are susceptible to health problems if their cages are not properly cleaned, such as wet tail, as well as cuts and scratches from rough metal parts of hamster wheels or fights with other hamsters. Help your hamster's scratches heal to avoid infections that could turn into abscesses.

Things Needed

• Alternative cage
• Clean rags
• Saline solution
• Cotton balls
• Raw, unprocessed apple cider vinegar
• Aloe vera gel

Step 1

Observe the severity of the scratch. If it doesn't appear very large or deep, it will probably heal on its own, as hamsters lick and clean their scratches and bites for healing purposes. Regardless of how deep the scratch is, place the hamster in a separate cage away from other hamsters while the wound heals.

Step 2

Pick the hamster up gently to attend to her wound. Use one hand to scoop the hamster under her abdomen, and the other hand to "cup" the hamster, which creates a "den" feeling that helps to relax rodents. Be prepared for the hamster to try to bite you, especially if she's not used to human handling.

Step 3

Wash the wound with saline solution using a clean rag. You may also soak a cotton ball in either raw, unprocessed apple cider vinegar or pure aloe vera gel to clean and treat the scratch. The apple cider vinegar may cause the hamster to squirm, as it stings. Neither apple cider vinegar or aloe vera gel in small amounts will harm the hamster if she ingests it.

Step 4

Repeat Step 4 as needed until the cut heals completely.

Warnings

• If the cut has developed into an abscess, or fluid-filled lump, take your hamster to your veterinarian immediately.
• Clean your hamster's cage and remove all wood chips and other cage floor materials that are soaked in urine or feces. Hamsters may develop skin reactions as the result in unclean bedding.
• For deep cuts and bites, wet a pair of blunt scissors and cut the hair around the hamster's wound to facilitate cleaning and drainage. Wetting the scissors prevents hair from falling into the cut, as the hair instead clings to the scissors.

References

• Hamsterific.com: Quick Reference Illness Guide: Cuts and Bites
• Hamster Club: Hamster Health
• Precious Pets.org: The Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar
• Disabled World: Apple Cider Vinegar
• Doctors Foster and Smith: Wet Tail in Hamsters