Happy Household Hamsters
The right kind of pet can be an invaluable source of learning experiences for a child. But there's always the question of what is the right kind of pet for a child, a family and a household? A dog or a cat is not ideal for everyone. Sometimes a small pet, such as a hamster, is easier to take care of, and is more easily kept in a smaller area or a single room, if necessary.
Hamsters can be wonderful pets, and overall, hamsters are relatively low-risk when it comes to diseases they can potentially transmit to humans. However, they can sometimes carry bacteria like Salmonella in their feces, and the virus that causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis, to name a couple. But there are a few simple things you can do to help greatly reduce the risk of transmission of these and other diseases from hamsters. Doing many of these things will also help keep your hamster as healthy as possible. It is very important to learn about what a hamster needs and how to take care of hamster (or any kind of pet) before you decide to get one.
Here are a few important hamster care tips to keep in mind:
Also check out the new information sheets about hamsters posted on the Worms & Germs Resources page!
Hamsters can be wonderful pets, and overall, hamsters are relatively low-risk when it comes to diseases they can potentially transmit to humans. However, they can sometimes carry bacteria like Salmonella in their feces, and the virus that causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis, to name a couple. But there are a few simple things you can do to help greatly reduce the risk of transmission of these and other diseases from hamsters. Doing many of these things will also help keep your hamster as healthy as possible. It is very important to learn about what a hamster needs and how to take care of hamster (or any kind of pet) before you decide to get one.Here are a few important hamster care tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your hamster in a clean enclosure with good ventilation and enough space for your hamster to have separate areas to eat, sleep, exercise and poop/pee.
- Prevent contact with wild rodents. This means keeping your hamster in its cage and not letting it roam around the house. Also ensure that your hamster cannot escape from its cage and wild rodents cannot get into the cage.
- Most importantly, always wash your hands after handling your hamster.
Also check out the new information sheets about hamsters posted on the Worms & Germs Resources page!
Pet store sued after hamster-associated death
A woman whose husband died of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection is suing a pet store. The suit alleges that a hamster purchased at the store was the source of infection of a person, who subsequently suffered a fatal stroke (unrelated to the infection). The hamster-owner’s liver was donated to the Plaintiff’s husband, who died of LCMV infection a month later. Two other organ recipients died and the hamster was eventually identified as the source. 
LCMV is a virus that can cause encephalitis and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain and associated tissues). Human cases are typically associated with rodent contact; both pets and wild rodents. Infected rodents can appear to be healthy. People can be infected through bites or direct contact with rodents, their droppings, urine, bedding or other contaminated materials. Pet-associated infections are rare, and are of greatest risk in people with compromised immune systems, such as transplant recipients, and pregnant women.
Some key points from this report and LCMV in general are:
- All types of pets, even small ones, can transmit infection.
- Sometimes exposure to infectious agents is unavoidable. You’re not going to turn down a donated organ on the rare chance that the donor had an obscure and undiagnosed disease.
- People that are at higher risk for infectious diseases, such as transplant patients, should consult with their physician and veterinarian before obtaining a new pet.
- Appropriate controls should be used to reduce contact of people and pet rodents with wild rodents
- Wash your hands after touching a rodent or its environment
More information about hamsters and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is available in the Resources area.
LCMV is a virus that can cause encephalitis and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain and associated tissues). Human cases are typically associated with rodent contact; both pets and wild rodents. Infected rodents can appear to be healthy. People can be infected through bites or direct contact with rodents, their droppings, urine, bedding or other contaminated materials. Pet-associated infections are rare, and are of greatest risk in people with compromised immune systems, such as transplant recipients, and pregnant women.
Some key points from this report and LCMV in general are:
- All types of pets, even small ones, can transmit infection.
- Sometimes exposure to infectious agents is unavoidable. You’re not going to turn down a donated organ on the rare chance that the donor had an obscure and undiagnosed disease.
- People that are at higher risk for infectious diseases, such as transplant patients, should consult with their physician and veterinarian before obtaining a new pet.
- Appropriate controls should be used to reduce contact of people and pet rodents with wild rodents
- Wash your hands after touching a rodent or its environment
More information about hamsters and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is available in the Resources area.
Information Sheets for Pet Owners
INFORMATION SHEETS specifically for KIDS, for VETERINARIANS, for PHYSICIANS and for PUBLIC HEALTH PERSONNEL are also available on the Worms & Germs RESOURCES page!
Click on the highlighted topics below for information sheets. Topics that are not highlighted are in development and coming soon. Sheets for other animal species and diseases are also under development and will be added when they are available.
| Animals | Diseases | Other |
| Dogs | Rabies | Litter Boxes |
| Cats | Giardia | Sandboxes |
| Turtles | Toxoplasma | Cat Bites |
| Hamsters | Leptospira | Raw Meat |
| Rabbits | Clostridium difficile | Petting Zoos |
| Pet Birds | Cryptosporidium | Needlestick Injuries |
| Reptiles | MRSA | |
| MRSP | ||
| Salmonella | ||
| Ringworm | ||
| Campylobacter | ||
| Bartonella henselae | ||
Please Remember:
- Your veterinarian and physician are your ultimate resource for information about the health of your pets or your family.
- Information provided here is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but infectious diseases can be unpredictable and these sheets are for general information purposes only.
- There can be great variation in disease risks in different geographic areas. The information provided was developed for Ontario, Canada, but most of the information is relevant for other regions as well.
