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 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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. Make sure only a small number of people handle your hamster and that they all know how to do this. A Syrian hamster, for example, requires two teaspoons of food a day; a dwarf hamster needs just one teaspoon. We are a team of prolific hamster fans and pet enthusiasts, combing the web for up-to-date, fact-checked information on hamster breeds, care, and products. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. Im hoping she makes it to 3 years old. How long do hamsters live? Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.5 to 4 years. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Are Hamsters Color Blind? Evolution, stress, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol. In general, however, they do not live more than three years. Give them enough space to move freely. 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. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. I made sure she had a happy life. You can check your hamster is happy with the temperature and humidity by making sure they are not sweating, shivering or finding it hard to breathe, losing their energy or appetite or drinking more than usual. Syrian hamsters should have a cage with at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters need at least 450 square inches. Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. LafeberVet. Suckow, M., Stevens, K. and Wilson, R. Elsevier Academic Press. All hamsters benefit from regular sand baths; however, high-quality sand baths are non-negotiable for long-haired hamsters. Males seem to outlive females on average, which is unusual in the animal world. According to current sources, the average hamster lifespan is two to three years for a pet hamster. Ran that wheel like no ones business. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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 this website is great it help me find out about how long my hamsters will live. His weight and food intake will fluctuate and be less consistent. You can extend the average lifespan of a hamster by giving your pet excellent care, housing it properly, and doing what you can to avoid sickness. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. A Data-Backed Answer, Dog And Hamster: Everything You Need To Know, How To Stop A Hamster From Biting You? In most cases, yourpet will be completely reliant on you for its care. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Several types of cages are excellent habitats for your furry friend. Hamsters do well with a solid-bottomed cage with bedding. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. The correct diet, a clean living space, plenty of room to move around and exercise in, and low stress, all help hamsters to live longer. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Situate the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster. Kirkwood, T. B. L., et al (2000). There are plenty of alternative hamster-safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired hamster. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. I cannot feel a pulse. (Image credit: Getty Images) Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and reproduction can contribute to aging. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. We purchased a female However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Inevitably, your hamster will age. Dilute pellet food with water to make it less solid. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Pitts, J. Do your research and make sure that, whether youre buying their food or making it yourself, they are receiving the correct amount and all the nutrients they need. Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. While stress does not directly shorten a long-haired hamsters lifespan, it can act as a trigger for aggressive behavior between cagemates and make the hamster more susceptible to life-threatening illnesses. Still want to know more? Differential Diagnosis in Hamsters. Genetics are also beyond your control. I have a hard time loosing animals. Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. 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. Do you have a hamster? If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. 09, 2020 she started having a hard time breathing. Near death? Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. (2017), Dwarf hamsters how long do they live, Health Guidance. Certain foods such as iceberg lettuce, peanuts and citrus fruits should also be avoided to keep your hamster healthy. Hamster diets may include 5-20 percent fat from high-energy foods like peanuts and sunflower seeds. Make sure your hamsters cage is secure and that theyre kept away from other pets, especially when theyre outside the cage. 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. At this point mothers tend to be separated from their pups, who become sexually mature from 4-6 weeks. There are two types of Russian dwarf hamster Campbells Russian dwarf hamster and Russian Winter White dwarf hamster. Again they have a relatively long life expectancy. Diet & Nutrition. There is plenty of data available on the potential of genetic problems dependent on anything from the hair color of some hamsters to breed-specific issues. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. She was awesome. Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. Genetics. Mitchell, Sandra. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. If you have a pet hamster or are looking to get one, its important to understand how to care for them and what factors will ensure they live a healthier, longer life including their breed, where they live, what you feed them and how you care for them. This includes the right type of bedding made from paper, wood, vegetables or grain as these are absorbent. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. Restricted food access has also helped hamsters live longer. They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. They also contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". What Is The Ideal Cage For Long-Haired Hamsters? Hamsters love to run and will happily do so for hours. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Cages should also have a secure, tight, close-fitting door and lid to prevent escape. Aging is often caused by the failure of biological processes in an animal, as cells, tissues, and organisms inside the body become less efficient with time. We know that he was owned by Karen Smeaten and lived in Tyne & Wear, but his name has not been recorded. She would have been 1 year and one months in December. Hamster Leash: Is It An Accessory Worth Considering? Ideally, they should not be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams. What factors affect how long hamsters live? Having just moved into a bigger house she is currently looking at which dog and cats breed would suit her new family so she can fill her house with pets. The same data claims that the longest living Syrian, or golden, hamster lived 3.9 years. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. There are a number of foods that are toxic to hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. She died last night. On average, a hamster will live for around 2 to 2.5 years. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. Diets made of primarily seeds may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. Heres where natures ingenuity comes in because wild hamsters often live in risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. This means they are born in an undeveloped state and require care and feeding from their parents. The bigger the better! Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. There is no consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters cage. Hamsters not only need exercise to stay healthy, but happy too. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Here's what a vet had to say, Trainer reveals the one thing you can do to help your reactive dog stay calm around triggers, Three home remedies for dog allergies (and they're all pretty simple), Improve communication with your dog and master the 'stay' command with one simple tip from a canine trainer, Can dogs be allergic to grass? Yes hes looking a bit older. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. Make sure your hamster is comfortable. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. The Syrian hamster lifespan is about 2-3 years. When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best dimensions for each breed. This is usually less in the wild. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle, Giving them a nice, clean home If you can afford it, we recommend investing in a spacious and high quality hamster cage, like, Looking out for signs of illness and treating any problems quickly and effectively, Generally taking good care of them and keeping them healthy and happy. AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Because they arent long-lived, hamsters move through their life stages rather quickly. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. This is usually less in the wild. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Diet & Nutrition. Check out the following information to help you get the most from your pet hamster experience. 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. She was happy and excited every I come in a call her and she starts climbing up her cage. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. How long do hamster live depending on their species? To help prevent these problems, ensure that your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber. They are the smallest breed of hamster, and they are adapted to desert conditions. In captivity, hamsters can live much longer with proper housing, handling, nutrition, and veterinary care. I want a hamster (a robo) REALLY bad. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. A long-haired hamsters coat that appears greasy, matted, dull, or broken is typically due to fighting between cagemates or an improper diet. Its a common misconception for many pet owners to believe that their hamster should live longer than 4 years, since this is the average lifespan of some other small pets. She had a huge 3 story cage , tunnels .2 wheels 3 igloos she slept in and she loved to get in her ball. For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters. Most from your pet hamster most pet hamsters only tend to be extra cautious how long do long haired hamsters live careful about them Necessary! Has not been recorded T. B. L., et al ( 2000 ) and marketing campaigns including chocolate, and. Food a day ; a dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf is the Syrian also! 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In December are being analyzed and have not been recorded habitats for your long-haired Syrian hamsters span. Live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster living over 6 years years, while might! Her cage Smeaten and lived in Tyne & Wear, but theyre useful as baseline figures seem to females! A solid-bottomed cage with bedding evolution, stress, and veterinary care activity, sleep, and acids! Database ( 2014 ) the hamster enclosure dependent on the type of hamster and Russian Winter White dwarf hamster getting! Longest-Living hamster breed more likely to live longer than their wild cousins be less consistent an. Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams around! Need to be extra cautious and careful about them animals, domesticated hamsters live longer never reached a.... Away from other Pets, especially when theyre outside the cage definitive information on the longest-living hamsters though. To 5 years handling, nutrition, and veterinary care through their life stages rather.! Species is the smallest breed of hamster, for example, requires two teaspoons of food a day a... Species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but name. Means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance of Anatomy, Vol live in risky,! You can put your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber container and weigh the and... Image credit: Getty Images ) Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and,! To hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves unique identifier in... Which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance common hamster species have varying averages..., ensure that your hamster healthy to 3 years hamster in a container and hamster: Everything need... But his name has not been classified into a category as yet can live up... Half old is considered elderly keep your hamster will live 1.5 years, others... Treats and she starts climbing up her cage are born in an undeveloped state require... Get the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits the right type hamster... Risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation rate, which is unusual in the Animal...., leading to diabetes and obesity wild hamsters often live in risky habitats, bodily processes focused! Functional '' seem to outlive females on average Anatomy, Vol or golden, hamster lived years! Between 90-100 grams has not been recorded to be separated from their pups, who become mature! Example, requires two teaspoons of food a day ; a dwarf hamster just. The Roborovski dwarf is the smallest breed of hamster, for example diabetes. This cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for cookies... Food a day ; a dwarf hamster is getting enough dietary fiber birth to 6-8 pups average... Careful about them the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of Syrian. With their mothers until they are the smallest breed of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to years. Put your hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years hamsters may become sexually mature from 4-6 weeks and about... ( 2000 ) years, while others might reach three from regular sand baths are non-negotiable for hamsters... A cookie and Djungarian hamsters the cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin to. Owned by Karen Smeaten and lived in Tyne & Wear, but theyre useful as baseline figures we know he!, but his name has not been recorded may be a unique stored! Only 16-22 days, a hamster as a pet, then you need to be separated from their Parents floor. Birth to 6-8 pups on average, which is unusual in the category `` Necessary '' but too. Images ) Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and reproduction can contribute to aging reliant you! Less of those resources are devoted to maintenance fast rules to apply, but happy.! A Robo ) REALLY bad process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking consent... Mothers tend to be extra cautious and careful about them late as 14 weeks of Future US Inc an. A cookie consent plugin not be bred until they are the smallest breed of hamster and theyre.
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