Parents should think twice before they buy their children a cuddly hamster.

A new study published in October’s issue of “Pediatrics”, the official journal of The American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), cites the dangers of exotic pets and their interactions with small children.

The report notes the dangers of salmonella, among other diseases, which spread from exotic pets to their owners.

David Phillips, pediatrician at the DeKalb Clinic, said diseases like salmonella are mostly prevalent in reptiles, but they can also be found in mammals.

“A long time ago, small turtles were taken out of pet stores because of a risk of salmonella,” Phillips said. “Kids were putting them in their mouths.”

The AAP report defines exotic pets as “imported, nonnative species, or species that originally were nonnative but now are bred in the United States, indigenous wildlife and wildlife hybrids.”
Health regulations aren’t always enforced on exotic animals imported to the United States, according to the report.

“Most imported nonnative species are caught in the wild rather than bred in captivity,” according to the AAP report. “Health screening often is not performed before shipment of these animals to the United States, and there is mixing of animal species in holding locations, including animals that might be ill or incubating illness or carriers of potential pathogens.”

Multi-state outbreaks of salmonella have been related to hamsters and other rodents from pet stores. Imported hedgehogs have especially proven to have a role in the outbreak of salmonella in the United States, the report states.

Phillips said young children are more susceptible to disease because they have poor hygiene habits and don’t wash their hands after contact with animals. He also said children are more susceptible to intestinal disease because their bodies are not familiar with the pathogens.

Intestinal disease increases their risk of dehydration.

Phillips said large pets could also have salmonella, but it is rare. He said there are a lot of pets that are safer to have around young children.

“There are plenty of dogs that are bred to be around your children,” Phillips said. “Fish are less likely to make a child sick or bite them.”

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