Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:31 pm
Hamsters are very gentle animals that can get sick easily, so we must take care of their health. They have small bodies easily susceptible to respiratory problems, infections, and inflammations.
You are probably especially worried when you hear your hamster coughing and wonder how best to help him.
What should I do when my hamster is coughing?
When hamsters cough we need to allow them to be warm to stop coughing or to receive antibiotics. If your hamster coughs then it is because of a cold, although sometimes they can also cough due to allergies or if they are exposed to dust.
In today’s article, you will learn what to do if your hamster coughs and how to best help him, and how to keep him in the future so that he does not cough so often.
Why do hamsters cough?
Hamsters are coughing because they have a cold.
Sometimes they can catch a cold on their own, but it can also be transmitted by us, the owners. Sometimes they also cough from dust or allergies.
When hamsters cough, it’s usually because of a cold, and then, apart from coughing, they usually also have breathing problems and runny noses.
What should I do when my hamster is coughing?
When hamsters are coughing it is best to allow them to have a warm enough room, the temperature should be between 65-75F, so that they can heal and stop coughing.
When hamsters cough, you should maintain the hygiene of their cage as best as you can, disinfect it, and clean the trash.
If the hamster coughs despite having enough heat and the coughing do not go away, then you should take it to a veterinarian who will examine it and may prescribe antibiotics to stop the coughing.
What should you watch out for if the hamster uses anti-cough antibiotics?
When you take your hamster to the vet he can prescribe antibiotics to calm the coughing.
It can happen that hamsters react with side effects from using anti-cough antibiotics. Your pet may develop diarrhea or become dehydrated.
That’s why you should pay attention to the hamster while using antibiotics, if you notice any of these side effects, you should stop the therapy and immediately consult a veterinarian again.
Can hamsters cough when they are exposed to dust?
Yes, hamsters can also cough when they are exposed to dust.
Any dust and irritant can cause a reaction and hamsters start coughing and sneezing.
However, this kind of coughing will stop in a short time, while if it continues then it could mean that they have a cold or an allergy.
Can hamsters cough from allergies?
Yes, hamsters can also cough from an allergy. Allergy can occur from food or from the air around the hamster.
However, just as with coughing due to dust, this type of coughing should stop for a certain time when the allergy passes.
Hamsters can get allergies and cough from the bedding, especially if it is made of cedar and pine.
How to calm the coughing of hamsters yourself?
If you can’t take your hamster to the vet at the moment, you can soothe your hamster’s cough yourself.
To do this you will need:
- milk
- honey
- lukewarm water
Make a solution of these three ingredients and try giving some to your hamster, it will help calm the cough, at least until you take him to the vet.
Do hamsters have a cough reflex?
No, hamsters do not show cough reflexes.
A cough reflex is when dust or other particles begin a cough and the respiratory system forces air to expel any foreign matter from the lungs.
This helps clear debris from the nose and mouth tubes that carry air to the lungs.
Hamsters can get coryza
Coryza is one of the most common diseases in hamsters which is transferable and is caused by several viruses and bacteria.
When hamsters have coryza they have the following symptoms:
- heavy breathing
- sneezing
- runny nose
Since coryza is a highly transmittable disease, it is necessary to isolate your hamster so that it does not spread the disease to other hamsters.
If coryza is not treated, it leads to pneumonia, which can cause severe problems with the hamster’s health and death.
Therefore, treatment by a veterinarian should be started immediately.
Do hamsters have pneumonia?
Yes, hamsters can have pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs.
However, pneumonia is not a common occurrence and appears as a result of viral or bacterial infection.
Pneumonia is transmitted through the air by a hamster that coughs or sneezes.
Read more: Can Hamsters Become Constipated? Find Out Now
Conclusion
Hamsters usually get a cough as a result of a cold.
Hamsters can also start coughing if they have an allergy, or because of some dust near them.
When hamsters cough we need to provide them with a warm room to let the coughing go away or if that doesn’t help then we need to take them to a vet to prescribe antibiotics.
