Well get into specifics on individual breeds a little later on in this article. They also contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity. Why is it important to find out how long hamsters live before buying one? She also has over 5 years experience working with vets, wildlife experts and animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various animal charities. Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. Syrian hamsters commonly suffer from heart disease, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. 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. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. Male long-haired hamsters typically have longer, fuzzier coats than females due to their elevated testosterone levels. Wed love to hear about it! You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. A change in your hamsters diet may help increase his lifespan. How long do Syrian hamsters live? Species They are not true dwarves, but are called so because they are the same size as many small dwarf hamsters. 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. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? Her latest first edition, What Your Dog Wants You To Know, is the ultimate guide to understanding your dogs body language. She was awesome. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. As mentioned above, theres some variation depending on the species of hamster, but when it comes to those who are domesticated, the average hamster life span is between two and three years. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Replenish bedding regularly, avoiding potential health hazards from accumulated dirt and droppings. 197. Long-haired hamsters are a product of an autosomal recessive gene mutation that spontaneously occurred in pet hamsters. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Syrian hamsters should have a cage with at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters need at least 450 square inches. 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 Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. . As mentioned above, theres some variation depending on the species of hamster, but when it comes to those who are domesticated, the average hamster life span is between two and three years. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. For example, some breeds feel the cold easier than others, so avoid draughts and chilly rooms similarly, direct sunlight might be harmful. Scientists consider hamsters elderly when the number of turns drops below 10 percent of what they ran as young adults. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Kaytee Fiesta Pet Hamster And Gerbil Food, 4.5 Pound, Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix 2lbs, Wild Harvest WH-83543 Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet for Hamsters or Gerbils, 4.5-Pound, Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Pet Mouse, Rat, and Hamster Food, 5 Pound, Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food - Dry Food for Dwarf Hamsterrs - Vitamin-Fortified with Essential Nutrients - Supports Healthy Digestion and Healthy Teeth. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Genetics. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. 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. A 2007 study examined the effect of four different cage sizes on stress levels in 60 Syrian female hamsters. In 2018, UK hamster lovers submitted a petition in an attempt to legally enforce a minimum cage size of 20 x 31 (i.e., 620 in2) for long-haired Syrian hamsters. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten. These are the average lifespans of pet hamsters by breed: If you want to know how to care for a hamster and ways to help your hamster live longer these are the factors you need to consider: As omnivores hamsters need a mix of both protein and veg. Again they have a relatively long life expectancy. Hamster size is interlinked with their lifespan and how they age. 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. Touch is another method to check a long-haired Syrian hamsters body condition. Studies have shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a contributing factor in longevity. How Long Do Hamsters Live A Complete Guide To Hamster Lifespan. I have a hard time loosing animals. The life expectancy of a hamster is short, in part because they live in high-risk environments where procreation is very important to a species survival. A year. Roborovskis hamster lifespan relatively long-lived at 3 to 3.5 years. You may see that he is losing vision, hearing, and hair. I have a Hamster called Hammy had her for 2 years 3 days ago i noticed a difference in her i thought she was playing at first rolling over on her back and then wobbling on her legs and her fur has faded and can feel her back bone and wont let us pick her up if we try shell grunt and Hiss at us and Yesterday she bit me and has never done that not even to any of us ?? Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. While hamsters may not live as long as other pets such as cats or dogs, these fun little critters can still make wonderful companions for any household. Hamsters do not like loud noises so try to create a quiet, peaceful space for them. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? Theyre easy to care for, and with frequent handling, they can be very docile and affectionate. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Being alert to any changes in your hamsters behavior can help keep it as healthy as possible. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. The ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Hamsters kept at temperatures below 60 F, in low light conditions are more likely to start showing hibernation-type activity, although they will only hibernate at temperatures below 41 F. Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Dwarf hamsters have an even shorter lifespan than some other breeds. Changes in their circadian rhythms can indicate aging and illness. 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. What to look out for. I cannot feel a pulse. And be mindful of their safety. Species In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The more space your hamster has to move around, the more they will exercise and play, which is good for longevity. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Your hamster will become less active. With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. Near death? This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One species is even listed as critically endangered. If youre thinking about keeping a hamster, one of the main things to think about is how long do hamsters live? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". These are the average lifespans of pet hamsters by breed: Golden/Syrian Hamster 2-4 years Siberian Hamster Around 2 years Chinese Hamster 2-3 years Roborovski Dwarf Hamster Around 3 years His weight and food intake will fluctuate and be less consistent. This isnt about ticking hamsters, but their Circadian clock. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. The bigger the better! Hamsters tend to urinate and defecate in one corner of the cage, so any soiled bedding material should be removed and replaced with a clean cloth daily. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. Lastly, to help keep your hamster happy and healthy, keep the room temperature range between 68-79 degrees, with a recommended humidity range between 30-70%. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. You have entered an incorrect email address! Unless you know the history of your hamsters parentage and perhaps, beyond that its very difficult to know if there are genetic predispositions to health issues. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. (Image credit: Getty Images) Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. You can also get climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Because of that, you might be tempted to change their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule. Ultimately, existing genetic problems are beyond your control, so lets talk about what you can do to help your hamster stay happy and healthy. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. We had hamsters before. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. 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. Scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster 5.3! Hamsters commonly suffer from heart disease, amyloidosis, and relatively dust-free as are., non-toxic, and hair an autosomal recessive gene mutation that spontaneously occurred in pet.... Pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them circadian rhythms is a factor. 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