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According the nation’s leading pediatric group, families with children younger than 5 should avoid non-traditional pets, including hamsters.  Other common pets associated with childhood that should be avoided include: turtles, lizards, any type of amphibian, lizards, baby chicks, and hedgehogs.

Evidence has proven that these animals can carry dangerous germs,and even deadly diseases.  These types of exotic pets are also more prone to biting and scratching, which would increase the likelihood of contracting an illness from these pets.

Children age 5 and younger are at a higher risk because they are more prone to mishandling small animals and are more prone to sticking their hands in their mouthes.  In addition, young children in general are at a higher risk than an adolescent or adult, because their immune systems are vulnerable because they are still developing.

Children younger than 5 should also avoid contact with these animals at petting zoos or in other locations.

With proper supervision and precautions such as; proper hand-washing, and supervised contact these pets can be great for an older child, but should be avoided by those under the age of 5.