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Fact Sheet
Pocket Pets Pose Salmonella RiskThe term pocket pets refers to small animals, often rodents that are kept as pets and could fit in your pocket. This definition has expanded to include a few animals that are not quite that little, but that are housed in cages. Common pocket pets include rats, mice, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets as well as rodents bought to feed other animals such as snakes. Owning a pocket pet can be a big responsibility. It is very important that you learn how to properly take care of your pet and about diseases that it might give to people. The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. They are microscopic living creatures that pass from the feces of people or animals, to other people or other animals. Animals can carry this germ and not appear to be ill. Rodents, like reptiles, may spread Salmonella to people. Choosing a Pocket Pet When choosing a pocket pet, dont pick one that is quiet, tired, has diarrhea, or looks sickly. The pet should be lively and alert with a glossy coat free of droppings. The animals breathing should be normal. There should be no discharge from the eyes or nose. If one of the animals in the cage in a pet store has diarrhea or looks sick, the others may have been exposed to an infectious disease. Do not choose any of these animals as your pet. Wash your hands immediately after handling pet store animals or after touching animal cages or bedding. If your pet dies soon after you buy it, it could have been ill with a disease that could also make people sick. Tell the pet store and do not reuse the cage until it has been cleaned and disinfected. Tips for Preventing Salmonella from Rodents
Learn more about keeping yourself and your pet healthy by visiting CDCs
Healthy Pets Healthy People website at
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm. |
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Contact Us This page last updated May 5, 2005 United
States Department of Health and Human Services |