I have had Tigger for three months now and he came to me with a big bald spot (see pics). I took him to the vet and he said he was old but in good health. I got him neutered two weeks ago and I was wondering if his bald spot will shrink or stay the same. I don't believe he is overgrooming...

Hes a cute little bald guy! Im new to this and have girls so Im not sure if the spot will shrink. It does look kinda big. There are some REALY experienced people on this site so Im sure you will get an answer.

Out of three males, I had one that took a good 2 months for his bald spot to go away. He was also a full blown adult and the other two were not so that may have something to do with it.

That big a bald spot I would say is overgrooming. Oreo has two over his eyes, separate from his oil patch, that were completely bald and are starting to fill in. He was neutered the week before I got him, and his oil spot is filling in as well, but very slowly and seems almost to have stopped now. His other patches aren't filling in fast enough for me either. I'm investigating diet further right now but I would say your little guy's patch will fill in as well though it will take time for that big a patch to re-grow.

Hi I am new to owning gliders as well, but maybe I can give some insight? My male has a bald spot which is as large as yours. He is not neutered but I think the spot is larger because he rubs it all over our female and on his fleece things in his cage. If I took a guess I would say that he has lost hair due to the friction from rubbing everywhere. Maybe that is why the bald spot is larger than normal?

I also kinda question the whole "not really a bald spot" thing. Surely there must be some kind of hair loss from scent marking friction. If ya think about it, black hair slicked down doesn't just disappear. If that were the case, I'd look bald every time I shampooed!

All males have a bald spot on the top pf their head and depending on if they are fixed will determine on the size and how much they mark there scent on things in the cage. It is totally normal I wouldn't be to worried about it.

His spot is larger than most. I would say he is either over grooming or rubbing it on cage, pouch, whatever is available. Your having him neutered should solve that problem. It takes at least a month for their little "maleness" to leave their system - so give it some time.

He should have a nice, soft, fur covered head in a few weeks.

Thanks for the responses. The odd thing is, I never see him mark or groom his head too often. I have had him for three months and the previous owner had him for five and the spot doesn't change in size. Hopefully I will see some change in the coming months.

Since he is a lone glider, it is more than likely due to depression and overgrooming. Do you plan on getting him a suggie friend?

If he is overgrooming, I'm sure it's when you're not around; that's when he's loneliest. Think about adopting or rescuing a friend for him, it'll make a world of difference to him.

No, I have a second glider, Roo.

When you took him to the vet for his neuter, did the vet mention his bald spot was unusually large? If the vet wasnt concerned, then all you can do is wait for him to quit producing his male hormones - which can take around a month.

Yeah the vet did ask about the spot and he wasn't worried. Thanks for all the responses.