Hamster healthcare is a unique and interesting topic because it is not as advanced as some other domesticated animals, such as cats or dogs. While there are some methods and medicines for treating hamster illnesses and injuries, their short lifespans make most procedures and advanced medicines a moot endeavor.
In the following article, we’re going to discuss the topic of vaccines for hamsters, including whether hamsters need vaccines, how often and easily they get sick, and what to do if you’re bit by a hamster.
As with all articles on The Pet Property, below is a table of contents of the different areas that will be discussed. Feel free to click any of the links below to be taken directly to that section in the article.
Do Hamsters Need Vaccines?
Hamsters don’t need vaccines because they are produced at scale nor made readily available because of their short lifespan. However regular checkups and other tests should be performed to reduce the risk of serious illness.
Vaccines are designed to prevent serious illness of well known diseases where we possess the cure. For humans or other animals, vaccines are a no brainer and should be received if available and applicable. However, if you’re thinking of getting a vaccine for your hamster, you may need to think again about that possibility because vaccines for hamsters don’t exist at the same scale or availability as they are for other animals.
Should hamsters have vaccines is a different question. Many of the common illnesses that vaccines prevent can be possessed by your furry friend, but the animal medical industry has not expanded vaccine research and development or production into vaccines designed for hamsters.
The most obvious reason is the short lifespan of a hamster. Hamsters only live for 2 – 3 years max and therefore it’s just not feasible or reasonable to spend billions developing and producing vaccines to expand a hamster’s life by a few months or a year.
It’s a harsh truth and not one that we necessarily agree with, but it is the current state of a hamster’s medical options.
Do Hamsters Need Rabies Vaccines?
Generally, hamsters are not vaccinated against rabies because it’s fairly uncommon that the disease will affect a hamster and if it does the recommended approach is to put the hamster down to prevent further injury or death to itself or others.
As mentioned earlier, vaccines for hamsters are rare and generally not recommended nor available. If you suspect your hamster has rabies and have been bitten, the CDC advises that hamster bites almost never require postexposure prophylaxis treatment. However, you should always consult your medical physician, quarantine, and monitor for serious signs of sickness after a bite.
A section down below will go into more detail on what to do if you are bit by a hamster, but on the topic of whether a hamster specifically needs a rabies vaccine, you don’t need to take any extra steps since it’s not a common medical procedure.
Hamsters often aren’t available nor applicable to receive a rabies vaccine. If you suspect your hamster has rabies, immediately consult with your veterinarian for further medical advice that cannot and should not be found in any digital publication.
Do Hamsters Get Sick Easily?
Hamsters can get sick easily as a result of a poor diet or prolonged exposure to an environment that is unhealthy for them, which can include but not limited to be being too hot, cold, wet, or bright.
As mentioned throughout this site, hamsters are delicate animals. They are tiny, have short lifespans, not the great immune system, and are very susceptible to their domesticated environment. All of this means that if the conditions aren’t ideal, they can easily get sick.
Common hamster illnesses that your furry friend may experience are:
- Wet tail
- Diarrhea
- Fleas and lice
- Colds
- Mange
- Constipation
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what is causing the illness and the most important step is to always consult a veterinarian, but here are a few reasons why your hamster may develop one of the common illnesses.
| Illness | Signs | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Wet tail | Diarrhea, constipation lethargy | Stress or poor living conditions |
| Diarrhea | Soft stool | Poor diet, such as excessive fruit |
| Fleas and lice | Excessive scratching, visible bugs | Poor cage conditions, passed on from other animals |
| Colds | Lethargy or lack of activity | Common bacteria |
| Mange | Excessive scratching, loss of hair, and scabbing | Poor cage conditions and sanitary issues |
| Constipation | No stool or bowel movements | Eating too many pellets and not enough water |
Hamsters can get sick very easily as you can tell from any number of causes, such as stress, poor living conditions, common bacterial infections, or a poor diet. As a result, it’s important to take the necessary and regular steps to clean their cage, provide them with a well balaned diet, and ensure they are feeling safe and comfortable in their home.
If you suspect that your hamster is getting sick, has any of the illnesses listed above, or they just don’t look healthy, consult your veterinarian right away for a more specific and dedicated medical opinion.
Sometimes the solution is medicine, but often times it’s just ensuring that your hamster is living a comfortable and clean life. Many of the most common illnesses are a result of something mundane in their life and can be solved by regular cleaning and providing a more natural environment for your furry friend.
What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Hamster?
If you get bitten by a hamster, you should immediately clean the wound then apply anti-bacterial cream and a clean bandage to stop the bleeding. Hamster bites can cause serious infections, especially if your hamster is sick or carrying a disease.
Hamsters are small, cute, and cuddly animals, their bites can be vicious. While they are small, they have very sharp teeth that have no problem penetrating the soft skin on your hand, arm, leg, or face.
If a hamster bites you, it’s important to address the bite right away because the sooner you can clean the wound, apply an anti-bacterial cream, such as Neosporin, and a clean bandage, the less likely you are to see any adverse effects, such as an infection.
While we like to think that hamsters are clean, they often roll around in dirty bedding and other areas that can breed bacteria. And hamsters just have different immune systems compared to people, which means they can be carrying bacteria that is harmless to them, but can cause serious health complications to humans and other animals.
As a result, take every bite seriously and if the bite is serious or you’re worried, consult with your medical physician and veterinarian immediately to get a professional opinion on your specific situation.
You can also read more about hamster bites on our website in the article linked to the right side of this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know a lot more about hamsters and vaccination requirements and recommendations, let’s answer some of the more frequently asked questions.
Do Hamsters Carry Any Diseases?
Yes, hamsters can carry diseases just like any other animals, including e. coli, salmonella, mites, and lymphocytic chroiomeningitis. Each of these can be harmful, which makes good hygiene and a clean environment for your furry friend. very important
Do Hamsters Need Any Medicine?
If a hamster is healthy, then no they don’t need any medicine, but if they are sick with any virus or bacterial infection, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent further spread of infection.
What is Preventative Care for Hamsters?
Preventative care for hamsters is keeping their cage clean and dry to prevent infection, stress, and lethargy. Most hamster sicknesses come from one of those issues and the best way to keep them healthy is through preventative measures.
What are 5 Common Hamster Illnesses?
5 common hamster illnesses are wet tail, colds, fleas, mange, and constipation. If you suspect your hamster has any of these conditions, consult with your veterinarian immediately to get a professional diagnosis.
Additional Reading
If you’d like to read more about hamster sickness, hamster bites, behavior, and more, check out the following articles:
- Why is My Hamster Making a Weird Noise? – The Pet Property
- Routine Health Care of Hamsters – Merck Manual
- How Much do Hamster Vet Bills Cost? – The Pet Property
Conclusion
And there you have it! Another article all about hamsters, specifically vaccines and the role they play in a hamster’s life. Hopefully by the time you’ve reached this conclusion, you have a much better understanding of a hamster’s medical needs to stay healthy.
In summary, hamsters don’t need vaccines because they’re often not developed or produced for your furry friend as often as humans, cats, dogs, or other large animals. But that doesn’t mean hamsters can’t get sick.
Hamsters can easily get sick from a poor diet, lack of hygiene, and even stress. So it’s important to maintain an environment that is comfortable to your hamster so they can live a long and happy life in your home.