Coming home to a hamster bleeding from the nose can set many of us into panic mode especially if your pet rodent has been otherwise looking and acting normal. However, calming down can provide the cool head you need to find solutions to the problem.
Nose and mouth bleeding in hamsters are common physical signs of trouble according to many of us fortunate enough to call these amazing little creatures pets. The good news is that it is not something that can fly under the radar for long.
Most of us spot signs of nose bleeding within a couple of hours after it begins. Salvaging the situation is usually possible especially if the underlying reasons are not fatal.
Why is my hamster bleeding from the nose and mouth? A hamster may bleed from the nose and mouth due to injuries sustained from accidents, respiratory trouble, kidney disease, overgrown teeth, or even fatal tumors. Cold and dry air during winter can also cause nasal and mouth bleeding in hamsters.
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Why Is My Hamster Bleeding From the Nose and Mouth?
Occasional nose and mouth bleeding is quite common in small rodents such as hamsters and rats. However, if these signs are appearing more frequently, it is time to put on your investigative badge and get to the bottom of the problem.
There can be several underlying reasons behind your hamster’s nose and mouth bleeding. You may have to investigate to find the root cause of your hammy’s troubles. Here are the most common causes of nasal and mouth bleeding.
1. Cold and Dry Air During Winter
Hamsters of all ages are sensitive to temperature. When placed in environments where they’re exposed to drafts, nose bleeding can be a common occurrence. Your hamster may show additional signs such as lethargy and excessive sleeping when suffering from extreme cold.
Constant sneezing can be another clue that your hamster needs a warmer environment. These rodents may also drink higher than normal amounts of water when exposed to dry and cold climates.
In hairless hamsters, the slightest temperature changes can lead to nose bleeding and other physical signs of discomfort. The absence of hair on their bodies makes these hamster breeds even more susceptible to dry and cold settings.
2. Nose and Mouth Injuries from Falls and Other Accidents
Hamsters are easy to love thanks to their high energy and lively lifestyles. Constant running, burrowing, and scanning through their hideouts is a common feature in the lives of these cute furballs.
Unfortunately, falls, trips, and dropping accidents can occur as your hamster engages in these high-energy activities. This loss of balance may be evidence of an underlying condition such as an ear infection so digging further into the problem is recommended.
Your hamster may bleed from the nose after one of these accidents but they’re often able to recover fully and get back to tearing their cages and tanks apart.
Hamsters may also bleed from rubbing their noses on wire mesh cages leading to injuries. Other components of cages such as wheels, balls, and chew sticks can also become targets for nose rubbing among your pet rodents.
These creatures may also chew cage wires until mouth bleeding sets in. There’s often no remedy for this apart from removing the hamster from the cage into a bin cage or a breeder tank.
3. Respiratory Trouble From Irritating Bedding
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of nose bleeding in small rodents such as hamsters. This is often caused by exposure to irritating bedding and other materials in the hamster’s cage.
Pine and cedar bedding may contain oils hamsters find irritating. If any of these bedding options are in your hamster’s cage, that could be the cause of blood oozing from the nose and mouth. Additional signs of respiratory discomfort may include wheezing, sneezing, and breathing difficulties.
4. Kidney or Liver Disease
Liver or kidney failure is a leading cause of nose bleeding in hamsters, especially as they get older. This is common in hamsters who are at least 2 years old as normal activities begin to take a higher toll on their health and overall well-being.
A healthy hamster’s bone marrow produces enough blood platelets to replace whatever is lost during circulation. However, as hamsters age, the bone marrow may struggle to keep up with producing what the body needs to continue effective blood circulation.
This may lead to the inability to replace the platelets lost during circulation. A blood platelet deficit becomes inevitable resulting in a condition termed Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.
5. Tumors
Hamster Tumors become common as they approach the end of their lifespans. These tumors may occur in different parts of the rodent’s body including the adrenal glands and lymphoma. Tumors in hamsters can be either malignant or benign.
Nose bleeding could be a sign of tumors in your hamster so you may want to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Unfortunately, most cancers are untreatable so you may have to come to terms with the fact that your hamster is approaching the end of its life.
6. Reddish Mucus
Your suspicions of nasal bleeding in hamsters could turn out to be a false alarm. Like other pocket pets such as gerbils and rats, hamsters produce reddish mucus which may sometimes be confused with blood.
Red mucus can be a sign that your hamster is suffering from inflammation of the lungs, commonly known as pneumonia. This may be especially true if the rodent has lost appetite, refuses to play, and seems to be struggling to breathe.
7. Overgrown Incisors
Dental problems can also be a leading cause of nose bleeding in hamsters. Overgrown incisors may rip into the hamster’s gums and tongue, causing mouth bleeding. This is the reason why many vets recommend trimming your hamster’s teeth as they grow.
Failure to adhere to those recommendations can cause too many problems down the line. If you’re unsure of how to trim your pet hamster’s teeth, your vet can get it done as comfortably as possible for a fee.
How To Treat Hamster Nose and Mouth Bleeds at Home
Providing first aid to your hamster immediately you notice blood oozing from the nose or any other part of the body can be critical. Putting paper towels on the affected mouth or nose to wipe out the blood should be the first move.
If the bleeding seems fresh, applying a bit of pressure on the wound can prevent more blood loss. A quick visit to your vet is the next logical step even if you’re able to stop the bleeding.
How To Prevent Nose and Mouth Bleeding in Your Hamsters
In most cases, bleeding in hamsters is preventable especially if the underlying reasons are known. Here are a couple of ways to prevent nose bleeding in your beloved pet rodents.
1. Right Temperature
Hamsters struggle in cold environments and may show numerous signs including nasal bleeding. This is why making sure their cage or tank temperature is healthy can be so critical.
As a guide, these rodents thrive in similar temperature ranges as humans. Thus, if you’re feeling cold, chances are your hamster is also feeling the same way. The temperature in their cages should range from 65-75F.
Avoid placing hamster cages in rooms with temperatures below the stipulated range. Also, the cages should be placed in areas where they’re protected from drafts. If you live in a cold region, consider attaching a thermostat to the hamster cage to guarantee comfort for the little rodent at all times.
Lastly, never offer chilled water to hamsters to prevent hypothermia and related symptoms that could turn fatal.
2. Routine Physical Inspections
Paying proper attention to your hamster can be crucial to his overall well-being. As previously stated, constant trips and falls may be a sign of balance issues, which is a major symptom of hamster ear infections.
Hamster parents who never take their eyes off their pets spot such problems quicker resulting in faster treatments. Giving your hamster lots of attention can also help you notice nasal bleeding and other physical discomforts before it gets worse.
The right treatment can then be sought to ensure your hammy is healthy and happy again.
3. Choose the Right Bedding Material
We provide hamsters with bedding to optimize their comfort, especially during the daytime when most enjoy deep sleep. However, some bedding materials may contain chemicals rodents find irritating.
This is why choosing the right bedding can be so crucial. If your hamster is showing signs of discomfort with his current bedding, changing it is a no-brainer. A few of the best bedding for hamsters include:
- Ink-free paper litter
- Timothy Hay
- Aspen Shavings
- Soft Granule Blend
- Cellulose Fiber
4. Healthy Hamster Diet
Providing healthy diets for your hamster can be crucial to preventing or at least minimizing the risk of developing cancers and gastrointestinal infections. Since these conditions are associated with nose bleeding and other symptoms of discomfort, feeding your hamster right can be critical.
If you’re clueless, speak to your vet for recommendations on the best diet for your pocket rodent at every stage in his lifespan. Diets containing excessive protein should be avoided, especially in hamsters older than 12 months to minimize the risk of cancer, liver, and kidney disease.
5. Choose The Right Cage
If your hamster is sustaining injuries from rubbing his nose on a wire mesh cage, switching to a breeder tank can be crucial. However, choose a tank that offers enough floor space for the hamster to play, burrow, hide, and sleep in peace.
The hamster tank should also provide enough room to accommodate essentials such as water and food bowls as well as hamster balls and chewable toys. We recommend a minimum of a 40-gallon tank for a dwarf hamster and a 75-gallon tank for a Syrian or Chinese hamster.
Hamster Bleeding From The Nose and Mouth Before Dying
Many hamsters show signs of bleeding in the nose and mouth just before dying. This is often a sign that your beloved hammy’s time is up and not much can be done. Hamsters may also bleed from the mouth during the last stages of their lives.
Conclusion: Why is My Hamster Bleeding From The Nose and Mouth?
Bleeding from the nose and mouth can be a sign that your hamster is in trouble and something needs to change. Scouting the hamster’s environment to make sure everything’s in order is usually the first step to uncovering the underlying reason behind the bleeding.
Is your hamster’s cage too dry and cold? Does your hamster suffer from loss of balance due to how the cage and other accessories are set up? Or does your hamster’s bedding contain irritants that can trigger nasal bleeding?
Once you rule out any of these potential causes above, it is time to speak to your vet. Perhaps your hamster is suffering from an ear infection, kidney/liver disease, or even cancer. Uncovering the underlying reason can help you formulate the best plan to stop your hamster’s nose and mouth bleeding.