Hamsters make for a fun, playful pet.
Due to their tiny size, they’re easily handled and aren’t prone to causing much mischief. However, like all rodents, they’re also prone to a few common health issues.
So, are hamsters dangerous to humans? Hamsters aren’t dangerous to humans, as long as they’re properly cared for and not mistreated.
In fact, hamsters are surprisingly clean animals. They only defecate in their cages, and they rarely bite or scratch humans.
However, hamsters aren’t safe for children, as they can easily cause injury. For example, if a hamster is startled or frightened, it can easily bite or scratch a human.
Hamsters can also suffocate children when accidentally dropped on a hard surface. Finally, hamsters can transmit harmful bacteria to people.
For example, hamsters can carry salmonella, which can easily be passed to humans through a bite wound. For these reasons, hamsters are dangerous to children but not dangerous to adults.
Are Hamsters Dangerous To Humans?
Contents
Hamsters can be fun pets to have because they provide entertainment.
They like to run around on their wheel and have excellent exercise habits. Hamsters also make cute pets because they are small and cute.
However, hamsters are dangerous to humans. For example, they can carry salmonella, which can be harmful to humans if ingested.
Hamsters can also carry parasitic worms that can result in serious health problems in humans. Finally, hamsters can bite humans, which can be painful and cause injury.
Hamsters can be fun pets to have, but it’s important to be careful when handling them.
Can Humans Get Diseases From Hamsters?
Hamsters can transmit diseases to humans, but this isn’t common.
Hamsters can carry the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in their feces. People can get infected if they ingest this parasite.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and headaches. However, most people infected won’t develop any symptoms at all.
If infected, the only way to prevent the disease is to avoid eating undercooked meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables. Hamsters can also carry salmonella in their feces.
However, this isn’t as serious as toxoplasmosis. People can get infected if they consume food contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. People who develop these symptoms should drink lots of water and rest at home.
They should also avoid eating contaminated food in the future. Unfortunately, hamsters can also carry other diseases that can affect humans.
These include haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. However, these diseases are rare and pose little risk to humans.
Overall, hamsters can transmit diseases to humans, but it’s not common.
What Are The Diseases That Hamsters Can transmit?
Tularemia and Tapeworms
Both of these parasites are zoonotic – meaning they can affect both animals and humans – but rodents are the only known animal hosts for tapeworms.
Illnesses that produce fever, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and a sore throat can be caused by either one of these parasites – but the illness is usually mild in both cases.
These parasites are usually transmitted in rodent feces; however they can also be transmitted by eating uncooked meat from an infected animal or through exposure to contaminated soil or water.
A small number of cases of tularemia have been reported in humans who contracted the disease from contact with sick animals such as rabbits, squirrels, or prairie dogs.
These often take years to develop but may cause death if left untreated.
Rabies and Salmonellosis
It is a viral infection, usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.
It has a wide range that includes most of the continents of the world except Antarctica.
Diarrhea might also occur, which can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
When you are bitten by a hamster or another rodent that has rabies it is extremely important to get treatment immediately since the disease is fatal if untreated.
The treatment for rabies involves a series of shots over several months to ensure it is completely eradicated from the body.
If the hamster has salmonellosis you should seek medical attention immediately since it can develop into a serious life-threatening condition that requires hospitalization.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Treatment usually involves taking antibiotics, resting and drinking plenty of fluids to flush the bacteria out of the body, and eating foods high in iron to help replenish the lost blood from vomiting and diarrhea.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Mice spread the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) by contact with saliva, urine or feces, as well as through bites or scratches.
Toxoplasmosis may be spread when a person comes into contact with cat feces that contain the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
If you’re pregnant, it’s more essential than ever to avoid exposure to these infections.
Dermatophytosis
Ringworm is the common name for dermatophytosis, an infection of the skin caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.
When a person comes into touch with an animal that has ringworm they may become infected with the fungus that causes ringworm. This fungus causes red patches on the skin and sometimes hair loss on the infected area.
Red, irritated skin might take up to 3 weeks to heal and hair may grow back thinner and lighter in color.
How To Avoid Catching Disease From Hamsters?
Hamsters can carry hundreds of different diseases.
They can transmit bacteria through their urine and droppings, and they can also carry viruses through their saliva and fur. It’s therefore important to prevent disease from hamsters.
First and foremost, you should wash your hands with soap and water after handling a hamster or cleaning its cage or tank.
You should also wear gloves and wash your hands with soap after feeding or cleaning a hamster’s cage.
It’s also important to quarantine new hamsters for 2-3 weeks, and to wash cage bedding every day or two.
Finally, it’s important to visit a veterinarian at least once a year to make sure your hamsters stay healthy.
If you follow these guidelines, you will be less likely to catch a disease from a hamster.
How To Know If A Human Is Infected By The Hamster’s Bite?
Hamsters have sharp teeth that can bite the skin and cause infection in humans if the victim is not careful enough.
According to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, a bite from a hamster can cause infection in any human that has undergone surgery within the previous 30 days.
Other common infections include fever, swelling, and pain around the area of the bite.
Although hamster bites are not deadly, they can cause complications in those with serious medical conditions.
Also Read: Are Maine Coons Dangerous?
Conclusion
Hamsters are friendly animals.
They pose no threat to humans, which is why they are kept as pets. They are entertaining to watch and fun to watch being active around their owners.
Hamsters also make great pets for children because they provide hours of entertainment. Hamsters are also social animals, making them a good choice for families.
Hamsters are clean animals and only require occasional cleaning. Overall, hamsters make wonderful pets.
By their very nature, hamsters are very clean animals that rarely cause health problems for their owners.
Because of their nocturnal habits, intelligence, and high energy requirements, hamsters are not recommended for first-time pet owners or the elderly who have other commitments that may prevent them from properly caring for their pet hamster’s needs.
However, you must also keep the hamster’s cage clean and have fresh water available at all times to ensure your pet does not become ill.
In other words, if you decide a hamster is right for you, be sure you have the time and willingness to care for it properly.
They will be happier and more attached if they have plenty of space to explore and play.
