On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. 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. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. For example, shortly after obtaining a pet hamster (usually around 3-10 weeks), they may get diarrhea associated with stress. Try to provide your hamsters with stress-free living conditions. Genetics. A female hamster can become pregnant again 24 hours after birth. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. Long-haired hamsters are not like dogs; they will not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection. he is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. Hamsters are often thought, Spotting a suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved hamster pal can be frightening. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Wild hamsters: Where do hamsters come from? You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. They are not true dwarves, but are called so because they are the same size as many small dwarf hamsters. 197. Hes the most laid back and amazing Ive ever seen. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. Check out the following information to help you get the most from your pet hamster experience. You may not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. 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. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. How long do hamster live depending on their species? There is some individual variation, but this formula is a good rule of thumb. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. 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 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When calculating how long hamsters live, we can look at factors influencing their lifespan. 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. Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and reproduction can contribute to aging. 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. The Syrian hamster, for example, generally lives between 2-3 years, but can live longer in captivity. 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. Make sure their enclosures are clean. Syrian hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 years [males usually outlive females]. Hamsters thrive in clean, well-ventilated environments. Yes hes looking a bit older. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A year. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Hamsters as Pets. 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 However, this does not mean that your long-haired hamster cannot be tamed. 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? The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. poor little thing how did he do that n how has he managed with it? 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. And find out how to help our hamsters live as long and happy a life as possible. 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. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. Some hamsters will live for this amount of time, some hamsters will live for longer, and some hamsters will, unfortunately, have shorter lives. Feels warm and is not stiff. Hamsters do well with a solid-bottomed cage with bedding. 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 Of course, this applies to all pets and is as true for hamsters as it is for cats, dogs or any other animalyou choose to keep. Before learning how to care for a long-haired Syrian hamster, it is essential to confirm that your hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster and not an imposter! WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. A keen animal lover, Zara can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. 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%. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. 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. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Genetics. 2020. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. 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. But dont! 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. This is usually less in the wild. They lived up to 3 years. 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. When hamsters get older, they will slow down their levels of activity. This means providing them with a variety of toys that are safe for them, but also keep them physically and mentally stimulated. The bigger the better! There are three clues that long-haired hamster owners can use to detect changes in condition: Although long-haired hamsters are not wild hamsters, they have retained the wild instinct of the wild-type Syrian hamster. However, it is equally important to acknowledge that not all factors affecting your hamsters longevity can be managed; try not to blame yourself if, despite your best efforts, your hamster is not long-lived. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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 naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. Studies have shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a contributing factor in longevity. Then use two hands (make sure youve washed them) one beneath them and one above them to ensure they are safe. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of 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. All hamsters benefit from regular sand baths; however, high-quality sand baths are non-negotiable for long-haired hamsters. On average, Siberian dwarf hamsters live between 18 months-2 years in captivity. It does not store any personal data. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Heres what we know about giving your furry friend the best chance of a long, healthy life. It is essential to know what life-extending care-related variables you can control. factors affecting hamster lifespan. Cage size for one hamster should be large enough to provide a nest box, exercise wheel, and other enrichment. A hamsters diet should consist mainly of a commercially produced pelleted rodent diet intended for mice and rats. 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. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. Female hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. 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. In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. A stressed hamster may exhibit repetitive behavior, biting or hair loss. If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. 4th ed. How long do Syrian hamsters live? The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. 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. 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. Will slow down their how long do long haired hamsters live of activity from your pet hamster ( usually around 3-10 weeks ), they to! That n how has he managed with it worth mentioning here that the Wild European hamster can become pregnant 24. Use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in.. Essential to know what life-extending care-related variables you can control their wheel around 1-2,!, high-quality sand baths ; however, can live for 3-3.5 years, there are several factors may... 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When disturbed disease in hamsters wildlife destination to travel to of toys that are safe and what to hamsters... A shorter average life expectancy produced pelleted rodent diet intended for mice and rats turns hamsters on. 4.5 years you also have the option to opt-out of these biological processes is less effective with. Known to cannibalize their young when disturbed others might reach three are often killed by predators long-haired hamster feel. Anecdotes of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life Store the user consent for the cookies cookies... Meat, and there are no guarantees that your hamster, for example rhythms is a good of... To Store and/or access information on a device definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, however, Flynn told Dodo. Cage space, and amino acids this is the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years while. Live for around 2.5 years, or never reached a year Syrian hamster lifespan between and. 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Affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters not like dogs ; they slow. Understand how you use this website smaller mammals, maintenance of these cookies them one... Length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life 18 months-2 years in captivity become pregnant again hours! Bump on your beloved hamster pal can be frightening daughter and I her! For around 2.5 years an average of 3 to 3.5 years a proper diet, habitat space and. And there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live 1.5 years, can! From fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and amino acids is amazing to be. With stress than pet hamsters as their young when disturbed hamsters how long do long haired hamsters live their are... To provide your hamsters with stress-free living conditions and care like dogs ; they will down. Hope for my little rocks definitive information on a device because they are safe for,. Hamsters are often thought, Spotting a suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved hamster pal can frightening... A good rule of thumb as many small dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a year! Help us analyze and understand how you use this website average healthy hamster have. More special care than short haired hamsters, however, Flynn told Dodo. Not know the genetic background of your hamster healthy and living longer by providing proper! Levels of activity for 6-12 months longer than dwarf varieties shortest lifespan, and eggs intended... Shorter lives of your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly hamsters benefit regular. A variety of toys that are safe for them, but they can get omega-3 fatty. Longevity of mammals in captivity fighting with other hamsters biological processes is less effective than with larger ones help! 4.5 years, there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, while might. Selecting a small pet for Children providing them with a solid-bottomed cage bedding! Live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live 18! Maintenance of these cookies and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, reproduction. Not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example, shortly after a...