Are Hamsters Dangerous [10 Dangers To Consider]
People always ask are hamsters dangerous, as someone with some experience, I will point out some risks involved with owning a hamster.
The two most common risk of owning a hamster is the fear of hamster bite and disease transmission to humans.
From what I know these are not the only risks involved in owning a hamster which is why I will go into details in this post.
Let me quickly address your question are hamsters dangerous before I proceed with some dangers of owning a hamster? Don’t forget to check out reasons why hamsters are good pets.
Are Hamsters Dangerous
No, Hamsters are generally not considered dangerous, but they can bite if they feel threatened or cornered. They have sharp teeth and strong jaws, so a bite can be painful and potentially break the skin.
It is important to handle hamsters gently and provide them with a safe and secure environment to minimize the risk of accidents or aggressive behavior.
Hamsters, on the other hand, may carry deadly germs on their fur, which can infect people.
If a hamster feels threatened, it will bite, however biting is not usual behavior for this small animal. There have been reports of children becoming infected after being bitten by hamsters.
This is because bacteria from the hamster’s mouth has spread to the wounds on its hand or arm, potentially resulting in a catastrophic illness. If you keep a hamster as a pet, make sure it is treated properly, so it does not feel threatened and lash out.
Why Hamsters Are Dangerous
Here are some of the reasons why I think hamsters are dangerous:
1. Hamsters can bite
Hamsters are popular pets, but they are more prone than other pet rodents to bite in self-defense.
Their poor eyesight may be the main cause of this needless biting, which leads to why people say hamsters bite a lot.
Instead of trusting humans, hamsters rely largely on their other senses, such as smell, hearing, and taste. This is a lack of proper taming or training.
When you stick your finger into a hamster’s cage, it usually ends in a bite since the hamster is inquisitive about the strange new thing.
While older parents may help children understand the significance of being careful while handling and playing with the hamster, smaller children may be fearful.
Hamster bites are unpleasant and can cause bleeding. A hamster bite might result in an infection, which can be painful.
Learn more about dealing with hamster bites.
2. The nocturnal activity of hamsters can be distressing
Many people who have hamsters as pets are unaware of the animal’s nocturnal habits and this can be very distressing.
Hamsters will sleep for the majority of the day, and if disturbed, they will get aggressive and bite.
While their human owner is trying to sleep, all hamsters become busy at night running on their wheels.
A hamster scratching about in its cage or racing around on its wheel may be quite loud in the middle of the night.
Think twice about putting a hamster cage in a child’s room since the hamster wheel may create a lot of noise.
3. Diseases and bacteria can be spread by hamsters
Hamsters may carry deadly bacteria on their fur that can make people sick.
If a hamster bites you and the hamster has gingivitis or periodontal disease, the bite might get infected.
After being bitten by a rabies-infected hamster, a human might get rabies or another infectious illness.
Because hamsters are prone to infections and viruses, some parents may be hesitant to keep them as pets for their children.
Despite their rare, little children are the most exposed to these diseases.
The following are two germs that may be contracted from hamsters, according to Pethelpful: Lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Salmonella.
4. Hamsters have a short lifespan
One of the biggest drawbacks of having a hamster as a pet is that they don’t live as long as cats and dogs.
Even under ideal settings, hamsters only survive for two to four years, which is a terrible fact.
Hamsters have a lifespan of two to four years. This means that if the animal dies after only a short time, the owner will be sad.
For adults or youngsters, this might be incredibly stressful and traumatic.
It’s usually disheartening to learn or realize that your hamster has a short lifespan and will only live with you for 5 years.
5. Setting up a hamster cage might be costly
There is no guarantee that your hamster will like the cage you provide, and this can cause stress for the hamster. It is not free to build a hamster cage; there is a price that varies based on the size of the cage you wish.
Buying all of the necessary supplies to keep a hamster happy and healthy comes at a cost. However, the price will vary based on what you want, but you will almost certainly have to spend money to put it all together.
The hamster will be happier if the cage is larger. This is due to the fact that they must run a lot.
Hamsters are high-energy creatures who demand physical activity to stay healthy and happy, necessitating the usage of large cages. The larger the cage, the more money you have to spend.
6. Hamsters are far too delicate to be handled
Hamsters are quite vulnerable; they may easily become ill or injured, even if they do something silly themselves. Hamsters are extremely vulnerable to stress or accidents, making them unsuitable for most pet owners.
Even little adjustments have an impact on them. They also require mental and physical stimulation to maintain their health.
Handling hamsters is not for the impatient, since it takes a great deal of caution.
7. Hamsters are quite sensitive to sickness
Hamsters are extremely susceptible to illness; however, if the cage is maintained clean and the necessary vitamins are supplied, many hamsters can live for years.
If they do become ill, however, they will not show symptoms until they are close to death, at which point treatment will be difficult.
You should also learn about common hamster ailments since some illnesses such as:
- The wet tail
- Respiratory difficulties
- Loss of hair
- Bumblefoot
- Urinary tract infection.
These illnesses can’t be totally eradicated from the cage, therefore you’ll need to know whether the cage can be reused.
8. A dirty hamster cage stinks
Although hamsters are easy to care for, they do want periodic maintenance.
It is vital to keep the cage in which your Hamster is housed in good condition.
Throughout the day, hamsters pee and defecate often. If they are not cleaned on a regular basis, their cage may get filthy.
After a while, their cage will begin to stink. As a result, the health of the Hamsters may be threatened.
9. Hamsters aren’t the friendliest of creatures
Hamsters are not the best pick for a pet that is both interesting and lovable.
Hamsters are not the snuggle monsters that cats and dogs are, but they do prefer to be alone.
Unlike dogs and cats, who seldom bite, the majority of hamster bites are caused by hugging and petting.
As a result, most pet experts advise against getting a hamster as a sociable companion.
They’re so easily startled, and they’re so frail, that too much stress may kill them.
10. Hamsters are not recommended for children under the age of four
Children must be taught how to interact with hamsters correctly since they are sensitive to abuse and will bite if they are not treated appropriately.
Feeding, cleaning the cage, and ensuring that the hamster gets enough exercise and play will all require assistance from the children.
Hamsters may bite a lot if they aren’t handled properly, making them risky for youngsters under the age of six.
In contrast to dogs, which can play with children under the age of six, hamsters require minimal handling, which children under the age of six cannot provide.
Therefore, hamsters fit teens and adults better than youngsters under the age of six.
Ways to avoid getting diseases from hamsters
Hamsters are little and simple to handle. While there is a risk they may have the illness, it is also critical to understand how to avoid it.
The following are some easy measures to avoid contracting infections from hamsters:
- Always wash your hands after handling, feeding, cleaning, or interacting with the hamster.
- Make sure the hamster’s cage is clean and well-ventilated as regularly as possible.
- Ensure that the hamsters do not come into touch with wild rodents when removing them from the cage.
- Kissing the hamster is not recommended since the illness may quickly spread by saliva.
- Contact a veterinary professional on a regular basis to check for diseases or worms that might harm the hamster.
If you care to find out more about the signs of a happy hamster, then click here.
Related Questions
Are hamsters dangerous to have as pets?
While hamsters are generally considered safe to have as pets, they can bite if they feel threatened or scared. It’s essential to handle them gently and provide a safe and secure environment to minimize any potential risks.
Can hamsters transmit diseases to humans?
Hamsters can carry certain diseases, such as salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with their feces or contaminated bedding. It’s crucial to practice good hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly after handling them or cleaning their cages.
Do hamsters have sharp teeth that can cause harm?
Hamsters have sharp teeth that they use for chewing, but they are usually not aggressive animals. While they may nip or bite if mishandled or provoked, their bites are typically not severe. To avoid any accidents, it’s vital to handle them gently and provide appropriate toys for them to chew on.
Can hamsters escape easily and cause damage?
Hamsters are known for their ability to squeeze through small openings and escape from their cages. It’s essential to provide them with a secure enclosure that they cannot easily chew through or escape from. Additionally, keep electrical wires and other potentially dangerous items out of their reach to prevent accidents.
Are hamsters a threat to other household pets?
Hamsters are small and delicate creatures, and they can be easily injured or killed by larger pets, such as cats or dogs. If you have other pets, it’s crucial to supervise them closely when they are in the same area as your hamster and ensure that their interactions are safe and controlled.
Are all hamster species equally dangerous?
Different hamster species have different temperaments, and some may be more prone to aggression than others. In general, Syrian hamsters are known to be more solitary and less tolerant of handling, while dwarf hamsters are typically more social and friendly. It’s essential to research and understand the specific needs and behaviors of the hamster species you are interested in before bringing one home.
Conclusion
Humans are not endangered by hamsters, if properly trained and the cage is kept clean to avoid unnecessary diseases.
They can be feisty at times, but they normally bite only when threatened or afraid. This, however, is not always the case.
If a hamster bites someone and the hamster has an ailment, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, the bite may get infected.
Humans might potentially become infected if they are bitten by a hamster carrying rabies or another infectious illness.
