The hamster is one of the cutest rodents out there, as it is distinguished by its beautiful shape and entertaining movements. It is more like a rabbit and a mouse mixed together, which makes a lot of people love to keep a hamster as a pet.
As Hamsters are the favorite pets of young children, parents are naturally interested in knowing as much as they can about hamsters and the best way to take care of a hamster before committing themselves to raising one at home.
What Are The Disadvantages of Raising a Hamster at Home?
Infectious diseases
Because of their weak immune systems, hamsters are of the most likely animals to spread disease in the household. The most common of these diseases are:
Meningitis
It is common and dangerous for hamsters to be infected by meningitis, a disease with neurological symptoms, the most notable of which is the hamster's sense of imbalance.
The hamster owner notices his inability to move properly, it may appear in the form of walking in the form of a circle.
Hamsters that suffer from meningitis can be infectious to humans in contact with the infected animal, especially children. Meningitis is very dangerous for young children and can be fatal.
Bacterial Infection
Hamsters can easily transmit quite a number of bacterial infections to humans, especially when they are in crowded places and if people are frequently touching hamsters’ bodies, tails in particular.
Salmonella Infection
Hamsters are frequently infected with Salmonella, a common bacterial infection transmitted from rodents, birds, and amphibians to humans.
Symptoms of salmonella in a hamster include severe, foul-smelling diarrhea and general weakness. If transmitted to children, it may cause diarrhea and colic.
Salmonella is a fatal infection for hamsters. If you notice symptoms of diarrhea in your hamster, visit the vet immediately, and take preventive measures to protect yourself and your family members from infection.
Parasites
Hamsters can get infected by worms, the most common of which is the Hymenolepis worm. These worms infect hamsters with simple diarrhea, and the infection may be transmitted to children and appear in the form of simple diarrhea, but it is rarely infectious to adults.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that is usually transmitted from rodents to humans through contact with the rodents’ fur.
Bad Odor
The presence of hamsters in a household causes unpleasant odors to spread in the house, which disturbs family members, especially those with allergies.
Excessive Attention
A pet hamster requires a lot of attention and care, as its small body has a weak immunity system, and you need to treat it carefully so that it stays healthy and does not transmit any diseases to family members.
High Humidity Levels
Due to its high breathing rate, the hamster causes a significant increase in humidity in the place where it is located, which is an excellent environment for many microbes to grow that are harmful to both humans and animals.
Financial Costs
Hamsters need much more health care compared to most pets, because, in addition to the usual care such as regular vaccinations and a health routine, they can easily catch and transmit many diseases due to their weak immune system.
Disturbance
Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, as the activity rate of hamsters increases in the evening, and you will find that they love to play and have fun while you are trying to sleep!
Biting
Due to their small sizes, hamsters rely on biting to defend themselves. It is a quick reaction to feeling threatened, which may expose a person to some serious diseases and the emergence of painful symptoms, such as high fever and swelling at the site of the bite, which sometimes causes nausea and vomiting.
Escape Attempts
Because they love to move around a lot, you'll notice your hamster's frequent attempts to escape. If you want a hamster pet, you must make sure that the cage is tightly closed, especially at night. 10 tips for taking care of a hamster at home
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Choose your hamsters very carefully during adoption, taking into consideration their physical and health condition.
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Choose a well-ventilated place for the hamster cage, with a temperature ranging from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius.
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Keep hamsters away from the eating and sleeping places of the family members.
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Clean the cage frequently.
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Make sure to supervise children while handling and playing with hamsters.
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Wear gloves while handling the hamster.
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Wash hands immediately after contact with hamsters.
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Avoid touching the eyes or face after handling the hamster.
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Make sure to give the hamster all the required vaccinations on the specified dates.
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Visit your vet if you notice any unusual symptoms in the hamster.
