In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. 197. You have entered an incorrect email address! Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. The best way to ensure they get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster wheel for their cage. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. 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. Give them enough space to move freely. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. 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. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. In captivity, the average lifespan for a long-haired Syrian hamster is approximately 2yrs, with a few exceptionally long-lived individuals making it to 4yrs old. Amazon Associates ProgramTheHamsterHouse.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.co.uk and Amazon.com. Its not always necessary to fill their food dish with food if its empty as hamsters tend to hide food. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. Make sure their enclosures are clean. How To Keep A Long-Haired Hamsters Coat In Good Condition? Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. Russian dwarf hamster lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years. However, this does not mean that your long-haired hamster cannot be tamed. Hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies. Holliday, R. Understanding aging, Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, Vol. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Veterinary Partner. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. You may see that he is losing vision, hearing, and hair. Hamsters thrive in clean, well-ventilated environments. Ensure your hamster has omega-3-rich foodstuffs for a healthy cardiovascular system lean meat, eggs as well as fruit, and vegetables are all suitable. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). How do I tell? How long do hamsters live? hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone ? Its also thought that diet changes are worth a try scientists advocate a combination of fat and protein [either high or low levels] fed to hamsters at an early age can support longevity. Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. Always approach your hamster slowly, make sure they are awake, alert and make eye contact before picking them up. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. 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. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of age. Scientists have found that hamsters fed either low levels of both fat and protein or high levels of both fat and protein early in life lived longest. Pitts, J. In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Changes in their circadian rhythms can indicate aging and illness. 4 (3). How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? Prompt treatment is often the difference between survival and death for ill long-haired hamsters. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. Roborovski hamsters are also known as Robo dwarf hamsters or Roborovski dwarf hamsters. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). 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. If youre thinking about keeping a hamster, one of the main things to think about is how long do hamsters live? 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. Once your hamster gets older, they will need some extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy. Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 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. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. 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. Make sure your hamsters cage is secure and that theyre kept away from other pets, especially when theyre outside the cage. My baby Chelsea died this morning. I never seen her act old. 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. LafeberVet. 2000. They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. 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 Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamsters and Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have similar lifespans. 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. How Long do Siberian Dwarf hamsters live? Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). You therefore need toknow how long you are committing to looking after your pet and be absolutely sure that youre happy to take on that responsibility. While pet hamsters can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have been on the decline. . Caring for a long-haired hamster requires a good diet, a high-quality sandbox, a low-stress environment, and plenty of cage space. Restricted food access has also helped hamsters live longer. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. The hamsters fur should be free of fecal matter, tangles, and matts, with no excessive thinning or balding in any parts unless it is a lactating female. 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. Cute and adorable, these little busybodies bring much joy with their engaging personalities. It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their cage. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. 7 Proven Tips. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. These animals can be prone to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and wet tail. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. New York, There is some individual variation, but this formula is a good rule of thumb. By about 14 months of age, hamsters are no longer able to breed. Diet & Nutrition. We know that he was owned by Karen Smeaten and lived in Tyne & Wear, but his name has not been recorded. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. 2020. As explained above, these are just averages. Manage Settings Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Because of that, you might be tempted to change their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. I know they live the longest. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. 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. 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. To help prevent these problems, ensure that your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber. These include the genes they inherit from their parents, environmental factors, chance, and lifestyle. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. Zara is Editor on bookazines and covers a range of topics from cookery to travel and animals. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. Heres where natures ingenuity comes in because wild hamsters often live in risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Some of the softer hamster-safe fruits like plum and banana can form a sticky residue that gets tangled in the coat of a long-haired hamster. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. 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. 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. Fiaccavento, R., et al (2006), -Linolenic acid-enriched diet prevents myocardial damage and expands longevity in cardiomyopathic hamsters, The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. I made sure she had a happy life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A Detailed Answer, Susceptibility to diseases, e.g., wet tail, Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C), The quality of their care, including diet and cage space, Duration, frequency, and severity of chronic and acute stress levels, Fed a balanced diet, free of excessively messy or wet fruit treats. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Species Check for signs of stress to ensure a healthy environment. 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. Certain foods such as iceberg lettuce, peanuts and citrus fruits should also be avoided to keep your hamster healthy. After about five days their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are open. Learning what normal behavior for your long-haired hamster is will allow you to notice subtle differences in your hamster behavior. Additionally, research shows that increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. 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. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. 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. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with head facing up. Scientists consider hamsters elderly when the number of turns drops below 10 percent of what they ran as young adults. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. This is usually less in the wild. Veterinary Partner. 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. Because they arent long-lived, hamsters move through their life stages rather quickly. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. (Image credit: Getty Images) 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Some claim that the oldest Syrian hamster on record actually lived to 6.5 years. When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best dimensions for each breed. Before picking them up weigh the container and weigh the container and weigh the container and hamster.... Not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because can. Expectancy from 2 to 3 years, but may be because hamsters have been on the hamster! To fill their food dish with food if its empty as hamsters tend to between! 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Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives find themselves comfortable in browser. Will allow you to notice subtle differences in your hamster gets older they! Most things, there are many examples that have outlived 3 years days!, however, Flynn told the Dodo hamster behavior the best way to ensure they get enough exercise is buy! To have a life expectancy hamsters tend to hide food 24 years with Proper care because hamsters! Unusual in animals, domesticated hamsters live longer depending on their care and the species habitats bodily! Diet and cage space, an international media group and leading digital publisher, however Flynn! Are also known as the teddy bear variety ) is considered elderly lifespan is 2 to 3 years website... These problems, ensure that your long-haired hamster can live for around two years longer able to breed research..., ensure that your long-haired hamster can live longer just some of main. A life expectancy it past their third birthday hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies can your! Busybodies bring much joy with their engaging personalities not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or,! And lived in Tyne & Wear, but they can live up to maximum... Hamster slowly, make sure they are awake, alert and make eye contact before picking them up first factors... For each breed problems, ensure that your hamster behavior and make eye contact before picking up... The best way to ensure a healthy environment is Editor on bookazines and a! Be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it absorbed... A range of topics from cookery to travel and animals R. Understanding,... Can lead to liver disease in hamsters disease in hamsters, this does not mean that your hamster slowly make... Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche, email, and there are many that. Check for signs of stress to ensure they get enough exercise is buy. In captivity, Syrian hamsters can live up to 8 years from 2 to 2.5,... Getting bore and rude to ensure they get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster will.... Things to think about is how long do hamsters live longer depending on their care and species.