Why Do Hamster Cheek Pouches Get Inflamed?

1 Causes and Symptoms

Overfilled pouches stretch the cheeks; spoiled food breeds bacteria and causes cheilitis, and sharp food pierces the pouch, injuring and inflaming it.

Symptoms: swollen pouch with a hard lump felt by hand, like a skin pimple, and possible bad breath.

2 Treatment

Clean with cephradine: dilute cephradine in sterile water, swab it gently into the mouth and pouch without twisting; the hamster may pull it out with pus and foul smell — that is the goal. Then feed diluted cephradine slowly (avoid choking); if it refuses, smear on lickable fur. Once daily cleaning, twice daily medicine, 12-hour gaps, for three days improves it.

3 Prevention

Anxious hamsters hoard — a sign of fear — so keep a comfortable environment with enough food. Avoid sticky foods (rice, zongzi) and large or sharp items that lodge in the pouch. While playing, massage the cheeks so it spits food out. For more hamster care, consult an online veterinarian.