Hairless Hamsters – Care, Breeding, Feeding & Housing


hairless hamster in a tank

Seeing hairless hamsters for the first time can be intriguing and a bit shocking. If you’ve raised a few hamsters in the past then you’re familiar with these amazing little creatures having lots of hair. To suddenly come across an Alien breed with bald skin can be eye-opening.

Fortunately, hairless hamsters can be a wonderful addition to the home as long as you create the right environment for them to thrive. However, these exotic-looking hammies may require extra care compared to their hairy cousins.

Taking the time to get to know their needs can lead to great experiences for everyone.

What Are Hairless Hamsters?

Hairless hamsters are born with little to no skin fur as a result of natural mutation from breeding two satin-coated Syrian hamsters. Commonly known as Alien hamsters, the lack of hair makes them more delicate to handle, unlike normal hairy hamsters.

Even the most experienced folks can feel overwhelmed with hairless hamsters due to their fragile nature. If you’re interested in raising a hairless hammy, we’re glad to share what we’ve learned about these creatures.

Housing For Hairless Hamsters

You can be spoiled for choice when looking for the right housing for normal breeds of hamsters. Wire mesh cages, bins, and fish tanks can be healthy for a hamster as long as he or she gets enough space to maneuver.

However, this may not be the case for hairless hamsters due to the lack of fur on their skins. While normal hamsters can handle physical contact with numerous objects including cage bars without incident, Alien hamsters may easily suffer scratches and more serious physical injuries. 

This is why breeder tanks are the most suitable housing for furless hamsters. Additionally, these hamsters require soft paper bedding instead of shavings to prevent scratches and other physical injuries to their bald skin. For genuine protection, choose the softest paper bedding available for your hairless hamster.

The lack of fur also means Alien hamsters can be more susceptible to the weather, especially winter drafts. Fortunately, the right hamster aquarium covered with a lid should protect your hamster during those chilly days and nights.

Hairless hamsters require a large tank for utmost comfort. The absence of hair means they need hideouts with sizable openings. While hairy hamsters typically navigate tight openings without problems thanks to their skin fur, the same cannot be said for their Alien cousins. 

The bald skin of hairless hamsters typically makes them susceptible to getting trapped in tight spaces, resulting in more scratches and painful injuries.

The rule of thumb is to make the hideout openings large enough for your furless hamster to enter and dig through comfortably without accidentally scratching the skin. We recommend a DIY tunnel since most commercial hamster tubes available may be too small to meet the needs of furless hamsters.

Finally, the right nesting material may be crucial to your hairless hammy’s comfort during their long sleep sessions. Fleece is a popular cozy material for your cute little friend and fortunately, a yard typically costs less than $10 at your local fabric store.

Just cut the fabric into pockets of approximately 2 inches and place a few pieces into the bald hamster’s cage each morning since they sleep during the daytime. Also, a minimum of 10-inch bedding is required to keep your hamster comfortable whenever he’s in the mood for burrowing. 

This can provide warmth and protection from those cold winter nights when the aquarium glass gets chilly and uncomfortable.

How to Feed Your Furless Hamster

dried fruits and vegetables for hairless hamsters

Hairless hamsters require a bit more protein in their diets compared to their furred cousins. However, avoid feeding them too much of the nutrient to prevent detrimental effects such as kidney problems.

Generally, diets that offer 18-22 percent of protein with healthy levels of fat (4-7 percent), fiber (6-15 percent), and vitamins are considered safe for hairless hamsters. Commercial feed offering 20-22 percent protein is perfect for hairy hamsters under 6 months while adults should be fine on 18-19 percent component protein diets.

You may also add protein supplements to your pet’s diet as long as it is declared hamster-safe by your vet.

Are Hairless Hamsters Healthy?

Hairless hamsters are not the healthiest available because of their weak immune systems and absence of fur which impedes the ability to regulate their body temperature.

These unique hamsters often suffer from constant physical injuries, unlike furred breeds which are able to squeeze through tight spaces and burrow successfully into bedding materials such as Aspen wood shavings.

Are Hairless Hamsters Unethical?

Intentionally breeding hairless hamsters by mating 2 satin-coated Syrians is regarded as unethical by the Hamster community. The myriad of complications the offspring have to suffer during their lifetime often denies them the ability to lead happy lives. 

Alien hamsters are known for their shorter lifespans compared to hairy hamsters and are often more expensive to raise because of their special care requirements. This is why many believe hairless hamster breeding is unethical.

Do Hairless Hamsters Need Baths?

natural coconut oil for hairless hamsters

Alien hamsters may not need regularly scheduled baths, unlike their furred counterparts. However, their bald skin tends to get dry quickly, especially during the summer. Applying healthy natural moisturizers on dry skin patches can provide some comfort for the hamster and improve his physical appearance. A few of the best moisturizer options include:

  • Coconut oil
  • Mineral oil
  • Gentle, scentless body lotion

How Long Do Hairless Hamsters Live?

Hairless Syrian hamsters have a lifespan of about a year. This is significantly lower than the 2-3 year average lifespan of furred Syrians. If you’re looking for a hamster with a higher chance to live longer, hairless breeds may not be the best option.

Nonetheless, they can live normal productive lives when provided with the right level of care.

What Happens When Hairless Hamsters Mate with Hairy Ones?

Mating between a hairless and a normal hairy hamster typically results in hairy offspring. If you decide to experiment with this sort of breeding, a hairless male and hairy female combo is your safest bet to gain the best results. 

Too many things can go wrong when you breed a hairless female hamster with a hairy male.

Firstly, hairless female hamsters do not produce milk so providing nutrition for their litter can be a challenge. Also, hairless hamsters typically have lower energy levels which may be detrimental for females to raise their young ones after giving birth. 

Where Can You Buy Hairless Hamsters?

Hairless hamsters could be available for sale at your local pet shop but the odds can be very slim. Specialized breeders and hamster charities in your city may also be a good way to get your hands on one of these.

Prices often range from $5-$125 depending on the source. Buying an Alien hamster from an online breeder such as MammalPets.com or ExoticAnimalsForSale.net is possible as long as you’re willing to fork out additional charges for shipping.

Conclusion

Hairless hamsters require unique care to thrive regardless of your experience with these little rodents. Their lack of hair makes them susceptible to scratches and serious physical injuries, unlike hamsters born with fur.

These Alien hamsters can be a joy to raise if you’re not intimidated by their special needs. Many hamster parents report a lot of satisfaction from raising these adorable but unique little creatures and you could have a similar experience.

Interested in raising hairless hamsters? We share their feeding, housing, mating, and other care information.

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