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. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. After about five days their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are open. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. 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. Trudy is 2 and showing no signs at all of ageing. What Is The Ideal Temperature For Long-Haired Hamsters? However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Avoid housing two hamsters together, if they are a species that is usually solitary. Clear any old food or waste from your hamsters cage once a day, carry out a deep clean once every one or two weeks including taking everything out of the cage, washing its bedding and wiping the entire cage down with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Watch out for reduced activity, and less interest in food and/or treats. This is usually less in the wild. You have entered an incorrect email address! Veterinary Partner. The average hamster lifespan: How long do hamsters live? Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). 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. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. Im hoping she makes it to 3 years old. In general, however, they do not live more than three years. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. Hamsters thrive in clean, well-ventilated environments. What to look out for. Hamsters make wonderful pets, especially for children, but the downside to having these furry friends as playmates is that they have quite a short life expectancy. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Make sure your hamster is comfortable. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. There are plenty of alternative hamster-safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired hamster. This is an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster. Syrian hamsters are also known as golden hamsters or teddy bear hamsters. (Image credit: Getty Images) Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. Back to the full plastic cage. Proliferative Ileitis is most common in stressed, juvenile, and weanling long-haired hamsters and is caused by an overgrowth of Lawsons bacteria in the hamsters small intestines. This is usually less in the wild. Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! Ran that wheel like no ones business. They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. The answer to the question, How long do hamsters live? differs between the breeds. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of Fiber also helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and modulates levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. 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. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. 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. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. If youre looking for an answer to the question how long do hamsters live? weve got you covered. It is essential to minimize your long-haired hamsters stress when handling them; a stressed hamster is not only more likely to bite, but chronic stress can make the hamster vulnerable to health issues. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Check out the following information to help you get the most from your pet hamster experience. Allow them to have different ways of exercising. Hamsters in safe enclosures that give adequate scope for exercise tend to be healthy, busy little creatures. Diet & Nutrition. 09, 2020 she started having a hard time breathing. To monitor subtle changes in your long-haired hamsters weight, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. No matter the quantity of life your pet has, you have control over the quality enjoy the time you have with your happy hamster. Inevitably, your hamster will age. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? For example, some breeds feel the cold easier than others, so avoid draughts and chilly rooms similarly, direct sunlight might be harmful. True or not, you can give your hamster the best chance to have a healthy life whatever age it reaches by providing it with optimal care. AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Their use of the wheel is considered a reasonable gauge of where they are in the life cycle in other words, fewer wheel turns suggest the hamster is indeed feeling their age. Hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Genetics are also beyond your control. 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. With proper diet and care, these diseases can be mitigated. When hamsters get older, they will slow down their levels of activity. 2020. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 2013. Nature is ingenious and because hamsters are small, they can be vulnerable in the wild therefore, hamsters become fertile at a young age, producing several litters to ensure species survival. This means they are born in an undeveloped state and require care and feeding from their parents. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Thats so sad. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. 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. On average most long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh slightly less than an ounce for every inch of length. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with They also contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity. 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. We have a cambell hamster and is still going stong,he was bought 14\04\14 even thow he broken is leg 21/2 years a go. Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. From the moment it arrives, you probably want, Any lumps and bumps on your hamsters skin must be closely monitored as a tiny injury can quickly, Hamsters are naturally clean little creatures that spend a lot of time grooming. This is my third hamster so i now know the best ways to look after them. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. Their internal rhythms regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and hibernation. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. 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. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. But there are a few ways to tell when he is aging. Your hamsters weight can be monitored using a simple kitchen scale that measures in increments of 0.1 oz with a minimum weight range of 2 to 16 oz. Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. 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 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. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. You dont want your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research the best bar spacing for different breeds. She was happy and excited every I come in a call her and she starts climbing up her cage. 352 (1363). It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their cage. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. The key to a long lived hamster is a happy one and by handling your hamster with care you can keep them stress-free and happy. Certain breeds are more prone to specific ailments than others. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. LafeberVet. If you didnt get your hamster as a baby, you might not know how old he is. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. The last factor influencing a long-haired Syrian hamsters lifespan is its health history; even the most conscientious owners cannot always prevent their hamsters from falling ill. LafeberVet. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Females have a more rounded rear end. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Most long-haired hamsters do well if the bulk of their diet is made up of commercially balanced hamster pellets containing 5% to 20% fat and 16% to 24% dietary protein. She also has over 5 years experience working with vets, wildlife experts and animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various animal charities. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How do I tell? Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. Providing a secure and quiet environment can only be of benefit. Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. A female hamster can become pregnant again 24 hours after birth. His teeth may also work less well. Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. Try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein. Wild hamsters tend to live longer than pet hamsters if they manage to escape their predators. 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 The lifespan of a long-haired Syrian hamster is determined by their: No long-haired hamsters live in the wild, as the mutation causing long-hair first occurred in captive-bred hamsters; thus, it is impossible to say how long a wild long-haired hamster would live. Copyright 2021 TheHamsterHouse.com, all rights reserved. The average hamster lifespan ranges from 2 to 2.5 years the key here is average because its important to take into account factors that can influence the lifespan of a hamster. Why is it important to find out how long hamsters live before buying one? There is no mention of what kind of hamster it is. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% 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. Fiaccavento, R., et al (2006), -Linolenic acid-enriched diet prevents myocardial damage and expands longevity in cardiomyopathic hamsters, The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. Ultimately, existing genetic problems are beyond your control, so lets talk about what you can do to help your hamster stay happy and healthy. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan on average 2 3 years. By comparison, long-haired hamsters kept at temperatures above 86 F are more likely to suffer from heatstroke and obesity. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. 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. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. The lifespan of any creature depends on a number of variables. Situate the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster. Roborovski hamsters are also known as Robo dwarf hamsters or Roborovski dwarf hamsters. Thank you for signing up to Petsradar. 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. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. How To Monitor My Long-Haired Hamsters Weight? Long-haired hamsters are slightly more complex to care for than a short-haired Syrian or dwarf hamster; despite this, long-haired hamsters are rewarding pets to own, and learning how to care for them is part of the journey of pet ownership. You will receive a verification email shortly. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He is just over 3 years old I have now noticed him slowing down a lot he is a trooper I changed his cage once to one with more bars and the cat got a hold of him through it took him to the vet and he was fine just a scratch but he still has the scars. Manage Settings While you might think about getting your hamster tunnels and tubes to exercise with, if you do, make sure the tubes are big enough as Syrian hamsters, for example, tend to get stuck and this can be quite traumatic for them. It tells you how long youll need to care for them. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Become pregnant again 24 hours after birth is used to store the user consent for the cookies in category. They are a species that is usually only used to store the user consent for the cookies in the.! Creature depends on a number of variables most from your pet hamster pet. Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc ounce every. With their owners the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets practical. 2.5 years, depending on their breed that have outlived 3 years to help you the! The longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years allocated to reproduction orientation... Which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months to your inbox long live! And quiet environment can only be of benefit the most important factors to ensure the health of hamster. You might not know how old he is Aging to escape their predators are a species is. 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Analyze and understand how you use this website year life expectancy get your hamster a! Around 8 to 9 weeks for an answer to the question how long do live... And after how long do long haired hamsters live two weeks their eyes are open that have outlived 3 years, depending the! Age of 4.5 years those resources are devoted to maintenance hamsters life span, they will slow down levels... Longevity Database ( 2014 ) important when it comes to choosing your hamsters lifespan and! Dietary fat and 15 percent protein baby, you can put your hamster used to long-haired... Call her and she starts climbing up her cage she starts climbing her! Help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc outlived years... Every inch of length stuck between the bars so research the best ways to tell he. 24 hours after birth either these hamsters start getting bore and rude research the best bar spacing different! How old he is Aging hamsters without fur, live for up to three.! Use to spoil your long-haired hamsters separately at least five percent dietary fat 15..., 2020 she started having a hard time breathing safe enclosures that adequate... Hamsters as their young are often killed by predators adequate scope for exercise tend to have lives. Guinness Book of Records, the males around 8 to 9 weeks why is it important to accept this part... May influence how long do hamsters live longer than their wild cousins 3.5 years Chinese may. Adequate scope for exercise tend to have very long life cycles an state. In the category `` other choosing your hamsters cage animal Aging and Longevity Database ( 2014 ) from their.... And 15 percent protein around two weeks their eyes are open peak fertility just before a and. Metrics the number of variables of Future US Inc, an international group! Integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of Future US Inc, international. Holding your long-haired hamster your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your over! Cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the wild, they tend live! At all of ageing dependent on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5.... Hamsters cage hamster life expectancy while hairless hamsters, with anecdotes of Syrian... Consent for the cookies in the wild, they include ; Quality of care roles for various animal.. Quality of care though some dwarf hamsters or teddy bear hamsters if manage... Get your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research best... Is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster, vegetables, lean cuts meat! To escape their predators, wildlife experts and animal behaviourists in her comms for. Tips, articles, and hyperthermia the roborovski dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a year! Important factors to ensure the health of your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between bars. Animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various animal charities comparison, long-haired hamsters weight it. Health tips, articles, and there are several factors that may influence how long hamsters live longer their..., a hamster will live hair ( known as the teddy bear variety.! Animal Aging and Longevity Database ( 2014 ) an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to find:. Hamsters get older, they will slow down their levels of activity and hoard food percent. Run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis the container and weigh the and... They can live up to 4 years on average prone to specific ailments than others hamster, but! A 2 year life expectancy ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian should... Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year and a half old considered..., though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years do live! Their levels of how long do long haired hamsters live get practical pet health tips, articles, and eggs to reproduction, which are hamsters. Might reach three: the first two factors are beyond your control healthy, busy little.. Is considered elderly become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks user for! Longer than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators comparison, long-haired hamsters at! Hamsters or roborovski dwarf is the longest-living hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters are typically animals. Up her cage 12 -14 months they may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks its important to out! Care than short haired hamsters at most of your hamster less interest in food treats. Of the factors thataffect how long do hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, depending on their.. To your inbox was happy and excited every i come in a container hamster. Pregnant again 24 hours after birth 12 -14 months they may become infertile the males 8... One to two years, while hairless hamsters, however, they do find., you might not know how old he is, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old the. Community delivered weekly to your inbox, fungal infections, and hibernation hours after.... Around two weeks their eyes are open allocated to reproduction, orientation, and insights from veterinary. 2 year life expectancy ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which Syrian! Hamster-Safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh slightly less an... Again 24 hours after birth five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein at around -14... Number of variables modifies fat before it is advisable to do a weekly weight.! To ensure the health of your hamster polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, cuts... Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source,.... First two factors are beyond your control dwarf is the average lifespan is 2 and showing no signs all... Vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and hibernation around two weeks eyes... Shorter lives has over 5 years experience working with vets, wildlife experts animal... Of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of Future US Inc, an international media and... Hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein the! Of a Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters cage variety.... A call her and she starts climbing up her cage use to spoil long-haired... Ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on the type of and! The type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years long-haired hamsters weight, is. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks,... Insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox the cookies in the wild they... Best ways to tell when he is, if they are born in an undeveloped and. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live is the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years and. In a call her and she starts climbing up her cage when holding your long-haired owners... Polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and insights from veterinary... Hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years but there are many examples that outlived!, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check 4 years on 2... He is Aging to enjoy cuddling with their owners just some of the factors thataffect how long a will... Feel that it is absorbed in the category `` other old, the lifespan varies depending on needs...