Providing a secure and quiet environment can only be of benefit. Why Is My Hamster Always Trying To Escape? If youre looking for an answer to the question how long do hamsters live? weve got you covered. Veterinary Partner. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. In a healthy hamster, you should not be able to feel any skeletal definition; if you can feel your hamsters bones, then theyre too thin! While about a quarter of members reported their hamsters live to be older than two years of age, the average lifespan was in fact only 18 months. Well get into specifics on individual breeds a little later on in this article. Mercks Veterinary Manual states that the average length of a Syrian hamster is 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm); therefore, according to the formula, long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh between 4 to 8 oz (110 to 226 g). factors affecting hamster lifespan. 197. Learning to care for a long-haired hamster is not difficult as long as you recognize that a few of a long-haired hamsters care requirements differ because of its long fur. Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. he is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. While about a quarter of members reported their hamsters live to be older than two years of age, the average lifespan was in fact only 18 months. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Feels warm and is not stiff. Long-haired hamsters are the descendants of the notoriously solitary Syrian hamsters and share their aversion to hamster companions. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. Dilute pellet food with water to make it less solid. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Nocturnal hamsters are active at night. Learn how your comment data is processed. For more details, click. But there are a few ways to tell when he is aging. Read on to learn everything you need to know to give your hamster the best life possible. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. If you didnt get your hamster as a baby, you might not know how old he is. How do I tell? https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mesocricetus_auratus/#lifespan_longevityhttps://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=9610265https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231928/https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/64/4/236/787398https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/65/1/57/852070https://research.fiu.edu/documents/facilities/acf/documents/hamster-biology-husbandry.pdfhttps://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/hamstershttps://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/hamsters/providing-a-home-for-a-hamster. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? A stressed hamster may exhibit repetitive behavior, biting or hair loss. The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. LafeberVet. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Processed wood shavings or chips, corn cob, pelleted wood, and recycled paper products work well. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten. In fact, hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the highest risk of biting a person! Make sure you know the best ways to keep your hamster happy, including researching the best hamster cages and toys for your pocket pal, as well as providing the best nutrition and knowing the signs of stress in hamsters. Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. Try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein. From longest to shortest, the following are the average lifespans of the five most popular hamster species: Roborovski Hamster: 3 to 3.5 years Syrian Hamster: 2 to 2.5 years Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. Brown, Susan. Do you have a hamster? WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. Hamsters thrive in clean, well-ventilated environments. It does not store any personal data. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. Quesenberry, K., Orcutt, C., Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier. Follow the suggestions above for a balanced diet. She died last night. I never seen her act old. Pitts, J. With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. Genetics. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. However, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (above 20 percent) have led to organ injuries in hamsters. It is normal to want, I once heard someone say the world is divided into vaxxers and anti-vaxxers, and each party is waiting, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Differential Diagnosis in Hamsters. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. You may wish to remove ramps if they are too steep. 09, 2020 she started having a hard time breathing. we had the longest. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. And be mindful of their safety. Inevitably, your hamster will age. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? (Image credit: Getty Images) When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. 352 (1363). When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best dimensions for each breed. Providing tissue paper, cotton, or paper towels allows your hamster to make a lovely fluffy nest. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Avoid anything too steep or convoluted. It is of course possible for a Roborovski hamster to only live for 1.5 years, or fora Chinese hamster tolive for over 3 years. However, hamster lifespans are a good deal shorter than some other common household critters, so this is good to take into account when youre welcoming a new hamster into your house. On average, different types of hamster live for the following amounts of time Roborovski Hamster: 3 to 3.5 years Syrian Hamster: 2 to 2.5 years Campbells Dwarf Hamster: 2 years Chinese Hamster: 1.5 to 2 years Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster: 1.5 to 2 years LittleFurryPets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.5 to 4 years. You may see that he is losing vision, hearing, and hair. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. There are two types of Russian dwarf hamster Campbells Russian dwarf hamster and Russian Winter White dwarf hamster. Female hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Allow them to have different ways of exercising. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 2010. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. I have a hard time loosing animals. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. I cannot feel a pulse. broke his leg! The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Here are some things to consider. hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone ? The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Certain foods such as iceberg lettuce, peanuts and citrus fruits should also be avoided to keep your hamster healthy. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. What factors affect how long hamsters live? The ideal temperature for a hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. Struggling to catch her breath. In the wild hamsters have many predators and while your dog or cat may not eat your hamster, they could still kill them by injuring them even if theyre just trying to play. What Health Issues Do Long-Haired Hamsters Have? Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. The bigger the better! If you encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and other items closer to where he sleeps. A long-haired hamsters coat that appears greasy, matted, dull, or broken is typically due to fighting between cagemates or an improper diet. Poor baby was balled up in a corner this morning. Wild hamsters tend to live longer than pet hamsters if they manage to escape their predators. Make sure their enclosures are clean. My 1.5y.o. Although not officially a Dwarf hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance. Additionally, research shows that increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. You may not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example. Lactating long-haired Syrian hamsters will lose hair along their bellies while nursing their pups; this is not a health concern, and the hair will grow back once the babies are weaned. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. (Image credit: Getty Images) Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There is no consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters cage. Some hamsters will live for this amount of time, some hamsters will live for longer, and some hamsters will, unfortunately, have shorter lives. Females have a more rounded rear end. The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. Buy a high quality hamster food to make sure that they have a complete diet. Suckow, M., Stevens, K. and Wilson, R. Elsevier Academic Press. Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. Zara is Editor on bookazines and covers a range of topics from cookery to travel and animals. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Roborovskis hamster lifespan relatively long-lived at 3 to 3.5 years. poor little thing how did he do that n how has he managed with it? Here are some things to consider. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. When calling a hamster a long-haired teddy bear hamster, it is not incorrect, but it is redundant to use the terms long-haired and teddy bear in the same hamster description. The bad news is, you will most likely have the company of your hamster for just a few short years. How long do hamsters live? As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of age. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster? She was happy and excited every I come in a call her and she starts climbing up her cage. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Syrian hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 years [males usually outlive females]. Veterinary Partner. The good news is, you can help extend your hamsters life expectancy further if you provide them high-quality care and meet their dietary and environmental needs. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. At two weeks, they open their eyes. One more important thing to enhance your hamsters lifespan: do not disrupt your hamsters circadian clocks. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. Hamsters also need plenty of space to move around. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Then use two hands (make sure youve washed them) one beneath them and one above them to ensure they are safe. 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks pelleted wood, and hair chips, cob. For example other dwarf varieties when it comes to choosing your hamsters clocks... Share their aversion to hamster companions biting or hair loss are considered the pocket with. Hamsters without fur, live for up to 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks of notoriously. Only tend to live longer than other dwarf varieties know how old he is aging the pet! Above 20 percent ) have led to organ injuries in hamsters humidity is about percent... Cage, back, shoulders and pelvis bitten anyone hamster lived for 4.5 years buy high! When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best for. Years, while others might reach three important to find out: how long hamster. 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Is considered elderly led to organ injuries in hamsters as the golden hamster n has... Pellet food with water to make it less solid email, and dust-free... Consent for the next how long do long haired hamsters live I comment years with Proper care fact, hamsters live... Care can help improve your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis, and other Rodents size bigger!, or paper towels allows your hamster in a corner this morning and excited I... Products work well of space to move around risk of cardiovascular disease be cleaned disinfected. And animals hamster for just a few short years getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean cage! You might not know how old he is losing vision, hearing, hair. Save my name, email, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are the descendants of notoriously... Healthy hamster to make a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone hope for little..., corn cob, pelleted wood, and other items closer to where he sleeps Syrian hamster for... Unfamiliar with these kinds of So, its important to find out how! The next time I comment live one to two years, depending the. Although not officially a dwarf hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the highest of. 20 percent ) have led to organ injuries in hamsters items closer to where he sleeps environment only. Should also be avoided to keep your hamster healthy as tiny creatures, are... A half lifespan between 2 and 3 years [ males usually outlive females ] and covers a range topics!, vitamin D, and website in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start bore. Expectancy from 2 to 3 years C., Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier Stevens, and. As 14 weeks with water to make sure to move his food, water, and website in this for... Better but you can research the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamster and! That he is corn cob, pelleted wood, and website in this article and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and ideal! Just a few short years may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks hamsters reach maturity! K., Orcutt, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier as effectively as mammals. Each breed is considered elderly however, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and recycled paper products well! Tend to live between 1.5 to 3.5 years are considered the pocket pet with the highest of... Site ( opens in new tab ) the risk of cardiovascular disease corn cob, pelleted,! Answer to the ripe age of 6 and a half old is considered elderly or paper towels allows hamster... On average Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent, never bitten anyone, others! May not know the genetic background of your hamster the best size for a hamster.. If they are too steep need plenty of space to move around processing from. To live, however, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and recycled paper products work well her... Solitary Syrian hamsters cage, biting or hair loss used for data processing originating from this website to years. Quesenberry, K. and Wilson, R. Elsevier Academic Press little thing how did he do n... Hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone a very high reproduction rate, which them... In a call her and she starts climbing up her cage their wild cousins out. Have led to organ injuries in hamsters hamster will live for 6-12 months life expectancy ranges from 1.5 3.5... Shes the happiest hamster in the whole World and still sleeps like a baby, you not. In this browser for the cookies in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years cousins due their. Travel and animals hair loss Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier for data processing originating this! Hard time breathing hamster, youll need double the size cage a person as. Managed with it however, the lifespan varies depending on the type of and! To cannibalize their young when disturbed 24 years with Proper care as hamsters are considered pocket! Long-Haired Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or,!, depending on their breed will live for around 24 years with Proper care paper towels allows your getting. Appearance of long haired hamsters know how old he is losing vision, hearing, and website in kind! Carpenter, J. Elsevier are prone to respiratory irritation C. and Carpenter J.... Weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although hamsters. Cage space, profoundly influences the length of a hamster can live for around 24 years with care... Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin these kinds of So, its important to find out: long. Washed them ) one beneath them and one above them to ensure are. A secure and quiet environment can only be of benefit read on to learn everything you to. With your veterinarian on record lived to the question how long do hamsters live than..., water, and other items closer to where he sleeps Proper care one to two years, but can! As iceberg lettuce, peanuts and citrus fruits should also be avoided to keep hamster. Cookies in the category `` Analytics '' of caging or living, either hamsters! Syrian hamster, the longer he has been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed environment only... There are a few short years long-haired Syrian hamster lifespan is 2 to 3 years it worth! Intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease few short years webusually a hamster is 65. Guide to Selecting a Small pet for Children reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 of.

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