Coughing in a Hamster

Coughing in a hamster is often the first symptom of allergies or illness.

Hamsters are nocturnal rodents and prefer to spend most of their day sleeping. With frequent and gentle handling, they are easily tamed and can be very friendly and entertaining pets. Responsible pet owners should monitor their hamster, taking note of their overall health and temperament on a daily basis.

Coughing in a Hamster

Like many rodents, hamsters are prone to upper-respiratory problems. Coughing in a hamster is often the first sign that these problems exist, and can have a variety of causes, including allergies. While coughing in and of itself should not be cause for alarm, it is important to determine the cause of the coughing in order to make sure that your hamster stays healthy.

Allergies

Coughing in a hamster is most often caused by allergies. Hamsters and other rodents can develop allergies to their bedding; breathing in the dust generated by pine shavings, in particular, can cause them to inhale particulate matter into their lungs. The only way that a hamster can expel these particulates is by coughing. If a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing are also present, allergies are most likely the culprit, and you should take your hamster to the vet in order to have the source of the allergy evaluated.

Colds

Humans can transmit colds to hamsters and vice versa, and colds are sometimes the cause of coughing in a hamster. If your hamster is coughing, sneezing and sniffling, and seems more sluggish and lethargic than usual, it may have a cold. Make sure that it has plenty of fresh water and fresh bedding, and that you feed it a piece of fresh fruit or two for the next few days to help prevent dehydration. If symptoms persist or get worse, make an appointment with your veterinarian

The Flu

Like colds, hamsters can also contract the flu from humans and vice versa. The symptoms of the flu in hamsters are similar to those of a cold and include coughing, sneezing and sniffling. With the flu, a fever is often present, and a hamster can appear extremely lethargic and listless and feel hot to the touch.

Give your hamster access to fresh water and provide it with plenty of comfortable bedding and time to recover without being handled excessively for a few days. If you become concerned about the symptoms that your hamster is exhibiting, or if your hamster begins having seizures, contact the vet immediately as this can be a sign of a more serious condition.

Keeping Your Hamster Healthy

Choose hypoallergenic bedding for your hamster's cage, and make sure that you clean the cage and replace the bedding on a weekly basis. When handling your hamster, be sure to wash your hands before and after, as this will help to reduce the likelihood of transmitting cold and flu viruses. Small preventative measures can go a long way toward having a happy, healthy pet.

References

• NTL World: Hamsters
• 20-20 Site: Hamster Illness
• Hamsterific: Illness Guide For Hamsters