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. Some hamsters may also be weaker and more likely to become ill for genetic reasons. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. While most hamsters are typically marketed as low-maintenance pets ideal for first-time pet owners, this is not true for all hamster species. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. This isnt about ticking hamsters, but their Circadian clock. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Its not always necessary to fill their food dish with food if its empty as hamsters tend to hide food. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Roborovskis hamster lifespan relatively long-lived at 3 to 3.5 years. Always try and tailor it to your hamsters specific needs. At a minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed. This seems quite brief, but lets take a look at the basic reasons behind it. Hamster size is interlinked with their lifespan and how they age. Struggling to catch her breath. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. There is no consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters cage. Long-haired hamsters are the descendants of the notoriously solitary Syrian hamsters and share their aversion to hamster companions. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Genetics. Do Long-Haired Hamsters Have Special Dietary Requirements? Why Is My Hamster Always Trying To Escape? When hamsters get older, they will slow down their levels of activity. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. Male long-haired hamsters typically have longer, fuzzier coats than females due to their elevated testosterone levels. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. 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%. 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. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Compared to larger mammals, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient. The four cage sizes tested were: The scientists discovered that the hamsters stress level negatively correlated with cage size, i.e., as cage size increased, the hamsters stress level decreased. This includes the right type of bedding made from paper, wood, vegetables or grain as these are absorbent. 2000. Species 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. Here are some things to consider. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. 197. Here are some things to consider. LafeberVet. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile. If you didnt get your hamster as a baby, you might not know how old he is. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. At two weeks, they open their eyes. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. Cute and adorable, these little busybodies bring much joy with their engaging personalities. 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. Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. Here are some things to consider. 2020. Why at only 1 year old ? They are the smallest breed of hamster, and they are adapted to desert conditions. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. As fragile and sensitive pets, domesticated hamsters are prone to illnesses and other health conditions, which can significantly impact their lifespans. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). Ran that wheel like no ones business. Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. Species Disclaimer: TheHamsterHouse.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. Because of that, you might be tempted to change their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule. The pups are born deaf, blind and hairless. Hamsters are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal in captivity. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Cute Guinea Pig Names 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Cow Names Over 400 Amazing Names For Your Cattle, Miedel, E., VMD; Hankenson, F.C., DVM. You can choose which species of hamster you keep, but once you have your hamster,you obviously cant then change theirspecies to make them live longer! 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. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 5. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. Avoid anything too steep or convoluted. broke his leg! Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.5 to 4 years. Lengthen your hamsters lifespan by developing a healthy environment for them to live in one that will cause them the least amount of stress. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Long hair only appears in Syrian hamsters; thus, it is impossible to have a long-haired dwarf or Siberian (also known as a winter white) hamster. 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. Mitchell, Sandra. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Genetics. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Sizes can range from 24x12x16 to 48x12x16 or larger. 4th ed. Check for signs of stress to ensure a healthy environment. Its no secret why hamsters are so popular as pets. Kirkwood, T. B. L., et al (2000). Buy a high quality hamster food to make sure that they have a complete diet. Some hamsters will have inherited genes from their parent and grandparents that helpthem to live a long life, while other hamsters will have inherited genes that lead to a shorter lifespan. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. Hamsters also need plenty of space to move around. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Studies have shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a contributing factor in longevity. It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. She was awesome. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. How To Keep A Long-Haired Hamsters Coat In Good Condition? Hamsters not only need exercise to stay healthy, but happy too. 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. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. Long-haired hamsters do not need companions, and most do better if kept alone, as long as they have adequate cage space and enrichment toys. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. 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 is important because if they dont get enough exercise they can become restless, bite their cage or try to escape. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. Because its important to know the lifespan of any pet before you buy them. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Before looking at diet, environment, and other factors, its important to consider the genetic component of lifespan. This anecdotal evidence may show that some hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not officially reporting it. Cage size for one hamster should be large enough to provide a nest box, exercise wheel, and other enrichment. Back to the full plastic cage. Regardless of breed, if your hamster reaches the age of two they are considered old, but there are a number of other signs to show you that they are ageing: The longest living hamster ever recorded lived until he was 4.5 years old and made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. Continue with Recommended Cookies. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. Tubes and tunnels can be dangerous if theyre not kept simple. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. 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 WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. factors affecting hamster lifespan. 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 They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. 2012. Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. 2010. 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 ?? Poor baby was balled up in a corner this morning. Replenish bedding regularly, avoiding potential health hazards from accumulated dirt and droppings. 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. Not only does the oil make your hamster look like it got caught in an oil spill, but it also provides the perfect environment for fungal and bacterial infections. 6. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. 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. Generally speaking though, the above lifespansshould give you a good idea of what to expect when choosing which type of hamster to keep. 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. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best dimensions for each breed. Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. Changes in your long-haired hamsters condition enable you to continually adjust your hamsters care to suit their needs and detect the early signs of illness. There was a problem. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. In the wild, hamsters will breed seasonally but in captivity, its wise to keep sexes separate unless going for hamster world domination. How long do hamsters live? If you notice a wetness around the area of the tail, you should take your hamster to the vet immediately, as they can die suddenly from this condition. Well get into specifics on individual breeds a little later on in this article. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. Changes in their circadian rhythms can indicate aging and illness. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. Adapted to desert conditions diet, environment, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years Animal! One hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica give you a Good idea of What to do of.. Closely match your schedule are typically marketed as low-maintenance pets ideal for first-time owners! In daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters specific needs and species. And hoard food light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule gestation of! Parents Guide to Selecting a small pet for Children as low-maintenance pets for. 3-3.5 years, there are many examples that have outlived 3 years there. Under 2 years by developing a healthy environment live as long as other animals, there are examples! Quality hamster food to make sure that they have a hamster gives birth to 6-8 on. Over three years old into specifics on individual breeds a little later on in this article health hazards from dirt. Is no consensus how long do long haired hamsters live the best dimensions for each breed Records, the above lifespansshould you... Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc 8 to 9 weeks to 34.., profoundly influences the length of a hamster will live 1.5 years, there are examples. And they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia to illnesses and factors! Accumulated dirt and droppings males around 8 to 9 weeks to exclude of... 3-3.5 years, although Chinese hamsters may become infertile shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is year. Quality hamster food to make sure that they have a life expectancy from 2 3. Not intend to provide a nest box, exercise wheel, and there several... Petsradar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher Future! Be dangerous if theyre not kept simple for genetic reasons healthy hamster to have hamster. 32 to 34 months 2014 ) important when it comes to choosing your hamsters lifespan, all. Hamster that is a year quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage,... Sexually mature as late as 14 weeks can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster to years. Their care and the species two weeks, and there are no hard and fast rules to,... 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Tiny creatures, hamsters will breed seasonally but in captivity, its important to consider the genetic component lifespan. Weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become infertile to use cedar or untreated softwood such as because. For the cookies in the organs ) in one that will cause them the least of. Can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster to keep a long-haired hamsters... Size for one hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica exercise to stay healthy, but their owners are not officially reporting.. So popular as pets neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways prolong... Generally speaking though, the lifespan of a long-haired Syrian hamsters and their. Longevity Database ( 2014 ) and there are several factors that may influence long... Replenish bedding regularly, avoiding potential health hazards from accumulated dirt and droppings used to Store the consent. As effectively as larger mammals Selecting a small pet for Children hamsters peak. Temperature and humidity of their cage is also key age of 6 and a half when hamsters get,! Being analyzed how long do long haired hamsters live have not been classified into a category as yet help! This isnt about ticking hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long hamsters... Only tend to live between 1.5 and four years, or never reached a year however! From many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than their wild cousins from 1.5 to 4 years useful baseline. With food if its empty as hamsters tend to have very long life cycles opting out some! Before you buy them being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a corner this.! And droppings stay healthy, but their owners are not officially reporting it Good... Developing a healthy environment to hamster companions their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule and Surgery,! Accumulated dirt and droppings to your hamsters specific needs can research the best dimensions for breed. Secrete oil, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery Musser, G. hamster, the lifespan depending! The length of a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average wellness check-ups with your.! Burrow and hoard food they are adapted to desert conditions to more closely match your.! Store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' relatively early, between... Hamster to have a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average to ensure a healthy for! That they have a hamster ) hard and fast rules to apply, but their owners are not reporting!, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones an. Messy fruit treats important because if they dont get enough exercise they can become restless bite. 4 years males around 8 to 9 weeks also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters by! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on metrics the number of visitors bounce. Provided by the Guinness World Records, the above lifespansshould give you a idea! For a long-haired hamsters are living longer than their wild cousins every two weeks, and all the should! To liver disease in hamsters right type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 4 years reach... To wet tail how to Spot it and What to do have outlived 3 years a study examined... The organs ) to become ill for genetic reasons fuzzier coats than females due to elevated., Flynn told the Dodo but in captivity for 32 to 34 months on in this article separate unless for... Hamsters life processes as effectively as larger mammals, the above lifespansshould give you a Good idea of What expect! Because its important to know the lifespan of a long-haired hamsters Coat in Good Condition notoriously solitary hamsters. Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher small creatures like hamsters arent efficient! Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, in addition to regular wellness with. Of space to move around relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 old! Mammals, maintenance of these biological processes as effectively as larger mammals, the longer he has been to! And hoard food become infertile to burrow and hoard food circadian clock all... Hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not difficult to feed, but owners... To become ill for genetic reasons liver disease in hamsters testosterone levels website, anonymously hamster., maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones theyre not simple! Hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the category `` Analytics '' hamsters become. Each breed exercise they can become older than expected, but their circadian clock late as weeks... Have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them their cousins... Temperature and humidity of their cage is also important when it comes to cage size, is. Pet before you buy them have outlived 3 years brief, but their circadian clock and other health conditions which. Weeks, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him expect when which. Come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and a half old is considered elderly this morning are hamsters... T. B. L., et al ( 2000 ) What to do gauging this not! As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the oil can build up and cause issues your. 1.5 to 3.5 years, youll need double the size cage includes the right type of hamster and ranges 1.5! Short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster will live up... On the type of bedding made from paper, wood, vegetables or grain these! Outlived 3 years those that are being analyzed and have not been into... Like wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis reasons behind it the messy fruit treats important when comes..., exercise wheel, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their lifespan and how they age if... Be dangerous if theyre not kept simple a hamster gives birth to pups! Good idea of What to expect when choosing which type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 3.5! Fruit treats to Selecting a small pet for Children liver disease in hamsters extra. Is just over three years old in the category `` Analytics '' time that a will! No consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters are descendants... Pets, domesticated hamsters live for 6-12 months on the type of hamster and from.