Pet Hamsters Could Make Your Child Sick
October 6th, 2008 | by admin |
According to a leading group of pediatricians, children should not be allowed to keep exotic pets such as hamsters and turtles as pets due to an increased risk of disease.
Small animals can carry potentially deadly germs, and according to the findings of the report, exotic pets can be more likely than dogs and or cats to bite and scratch.
According to the doctors group, young children, are particularly susceptible to catching a disease off of their pet, due to the fact that their immune systems are not yet developed fully, plus the fact that children tend to put everything in their mouths at one point or another, increasing their risk of contracting a disease from their pet.
“Many parents clearly don’t understand the risks from various infections” these animals often carry, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report’s lead author.
The report, which is published in the October issue of Paediatrics says that parents need to be educated on the dangers that are associated with their children owning exotic pets.
3 Responses to “Pet Hamsters Could Make Your Child Sick”
By ixc on Oct 6, 2008 | Reply
LIONS TIGERS AND BEARS OH MY!
STFU yellow Journalism and give me my fking hamster and gerbil + quit spreading fear.
By D on Oct 6, 2008 | Reply
why not let the children enjoy their pets while teaching them proper care and handling of such pets. Just not having one is a good way to not deal with the potential problem and miss out on a great learning experience…what’s next ?
By LBNelson on Oct 6, 2008 | Reply
Caution is good. The points made about immunity have always been known. This is NOTHING NEW. But, refusing the experience of learning about life through the caregiving of a pet hamster, fancy mouse, or whatever else … this article just a strange waste of time to me.