Why Are My Hamsters Ears Black? Let’s Discover

Last updated on December 4th, 2023 at 11:54 am

Keeping a hamster is a very fun and exciting experience because they are really small and interesting pets. But sometimes we face various situations regarding their health, nutrition, etc.

Sometimes hamsters change the color of their ears and they become black, of course, we immediately wonder why this happens.

Why are my hamsters ears black?

Hamsters’ ears turn black due to their aging and this is an entirely normal phenomenon. Sometimes hamsters can have black ears and when they have the appearance of mites in the ears, when they should be taken to a veterinarian to prescribe appropriate therapy.

In today’s article, you will learn about the reasons why hamsters’ ears turn black and similar questions related to the topic.

Why Are My Hamsters Ears Black?

Hamsters’ ears turn black as they age, and this is an entirely normal phenomenon.

Changing the color of hamsters’ ears is a normal phenomenon and you should not worry because this process is natural for your pet.

The more hamsters mature, the more their ear color darkens or becomes black.

Hamsters mature somewhere around 3 months of age and from then on the color of their ears can start to change gradually.

Usually, when your pet’s ears turn black, it does not mean that they have a problem, except in one situation, and that is when they have mites.

When hamsters have mites the skin on the ears, in addition to being black, also becomes bad and leathery.

As hamsters age, in addition to their ears becoming darker, they also develop gray hairs that appear all over their bodies, including their ears.

What to do when hamsters have black ears due to mites?

Hamsters when they have mites their ears turn black because the mites themselves are black in color. Mites look like tiny black dots that can be seen inside and around the ears themselves.

When the hamsters have black ears due to mites then they will start scratching their ears, so you will find out more easily that it is mites.

When hamsters have mites, you should take them to a veterinarian to examine them and prescribe appropriate therapy to solve the problem.

How do you know if your hamster has an ear infection?

When your hamster has an ear infection then they start to feel pain and have an imbalance in its movement.

When hamsters have an ear infection, the most common cause is bacteria from dirt in their environment or a respiratory infection that has entered the ear canal.

In such situations, an examination by a veterinarian is necessary to help your pet by providing appropriate treatment and therapy.

Why are my hamster’s ears peeling?

Sometimes the ears of hamsters begin to peel, which will certainly cause anxiety among their owners.

This peeling of their ears happens when hamsters have dry skin due to dry air in their environment.

To prevent the peeling of the skin on their ears you should apply a little Vaseline to the back of their ears once a day until the skin stops peeling.

Do hamsters have vulnerable ears?

Yes, hamsters have vulnerable ears because the very place where they are located is easily vulnerable which is completely normal just like in other animals.

Hamsters have the most problems with their ears due to infections and mites.

When hamsters have problems with their ears, it is noticeable in their behavior, because then they run in circles, or tilt their head to one side.

In order to avoid such unwanted occurrences, the best prevention is to make sure that they always have a clean cage, which will reduce the chances of ear problems.

Why do hamsters sometimes put their ears back?

Hamsters sometimes put their ears back because they feel nervous. They usually hold their ears straight, but when they are nervous they put them back.

This is especially true when you first bring your hamster into your home, as they are nervous and will need some time to get used to you and their new home.

Hamsters can also put their ears back when they have a health problem or sleep.

So that they are not nervous, you should provide them with a calm environment, without loud noise, and no other pets such as cats or dogs near them.why are my hamster ears black

Hamsters use their ears to communicate

Hamsters have an excellent sense of hearing that allows them to communicate with each other at a high frequency.

Here is the frequency at which hamsters produce ultrasonic calls:

  • male hamsters – at a frequency of 32-38 kHz
  • female hamsters – at a frequency of 34-42 kHz

While humans hear sounds at a frequency of up to 20 kHz.

This means that hamsters can communicate with each other, and we, the owners, cannot hear their sounds.

Do hamsters have sensitive ears?

Yes, hamsters have very sensitive ears and we must be careful where we place their cage.

Hamsters should not be exposed to:

  • loud noise
  • speaking in a loud voice
  • away from noisy loud appliances

Hamsters are aware of barking dogs or if there is a frequency of vehicle traffic in the environs.

Besides the fact that hamsters can’t stand loud noise, any exposure to loud noises can only cause nervousness, stress, and illness in your pet.

Read more: Can Bathing Kill My Hamster? Let’s Discover

How well do hamsters hear?

Hamsters hear very well, in fact, their sense of hearing is very developed because they see very poorly.

That’s why good hearing makes up for poor eyesight and makes it easier to deal with dangers in the wild.

Hamsters can hear at a frequency of 96 Hz to 46500 Hz, which is much more than us humans.

In the wild, excellent hearing saves hamsters from predators and helps them hide in times when their lives are in danger.

That is why you should not expose them to loud music, noise, or any other loud sounds in their environment.

Read more: Why Hamsters Ears Are Down? All You Need To Know

FAQs

How do you clean hamster ears?

For cleaning your hamster’s ears, it’s best to use a warm wash cloth and a Q-tip with peroxide. This way, your hamster’s ears will be clean and healthy.

Can I wash my hamster with water?

You can clean the hamsters’ ears but only if it is really necessary, as most of the time they clean themselves effectively. Cleaning should be used only if residues from food are stuck in their fur, otherwise, avoid cleaning as it may cause stress and negative reactions.

Conclusion

The color of hamsters’ ears turns black because it is their natural way of changing color. As hamsters age, their ears gradually change color and become black.

Sometimes it can happen that they have black ears and when they have mites, which appear and the hamster gets a black color on the ears.

In any case, the black color of the ears of hamsters is a completely natural phenomenon and most of the time there is no need to worry, except when they have mites and you need to take them to a veterinarian to prescribe appropriate therapy.

Read more: Why Are Hamsters Scratching So Much? Let’s Find Out