Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. Ideally, they should not be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. Make things easier by placing food bowls and water near your hamster, in case their sight, smell, and vision are affected. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Hamster infants are altricial. 4th ed. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. Newborn hamsters, called pups, are extremely vulnerable. A change in your hamsters diet may help increase his lifespan. In general, however, they do not live more than three years. Try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? Feels warm and is not stiff. According to Mercks Veterinary Manual, the minimum cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters is 6. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Add oats or similar for fiber, giving your hamster the healthiest diet possible. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. 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. 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. They lived up to 3 years. The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. Read on to learn everything you need to know to give your hamster the best life possible. Litter sizes vary dependent on breed but, as a rule, produce 4 to 12 pups. Cages should also have a secure, tight, close-fitting door and lid to prevent escape. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Which Small Mammal Makes for the Best Pet? You can also get climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. What Health Issues Do Long-Haired Hamsters Have? This anecdotal evidence may show that some hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not officially reporting it. 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 Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. Thank you for signing up to Petsradar. Proliferative Ileitis causes inflammation in the small intestines, which in turn causes the hamster to have a watery diarrhea characterized by wet matted fur on the hamsters tail, rump, and belly. Differential Diagnosis in Hamsters. LafeberVet. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Syrian hamsters are also known as golden hamsters or teddy bear hamsters. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. Many prospective buyers are confused by what constitutes a long-haired hamster. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. How Long Do Hamsters Live A Complete Guide To Hamster Lifespan. Genetics. Once your hamster gets older, they will need some extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy. He may also stop showing interest in treats. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with My baby Chelsea died this morning. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Hi I have a Russian dwarf hamster beastie. Diet & Nutrition. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% LafeberVet. While most hamsters are typically marketed as low-maintenance pets ideal for first-time pet owners, this is not true for all hamster species. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Veterinary Partner. 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. (Image credit: Getty Images) 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. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. 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. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. Caring for a long-haired hamster requires a good diet, a high-quality sandbox, a low-stress environment, and plenty of cage space. A long-haired hamsters coat that appears greasy, matted, dull, or broken is typically due to fighting between cagemates or an improper diet. 197. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Hamsters also need plenty of space to move around. 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. 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. They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. Some claim that the oldest Syrian hamster on record actually lived to 6.5 years. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. The Syrian hamster lifespan is about 2-3 years. 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. Inevitably, your hamster will age. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. 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. Situate the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster. 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. Let us know how old they are in the comments below! Continue with Recommended Cookies. Pre-emptive veterinary care may prevent problems from arising regular checks are recommended. Being alert to any changes in your hamsters behavior can help keep it as healthy as possible. Species When calculating how long hamsters live, we can look at factors influencing their lifespan. For more details, click. Follow the suggestions above for a balanced diet. Still want to know more? Make sure your hamsters cage is secure and that theyre kept away from other pets, especially when theyre outside the cage. Roborovskis hamster lifespan relatively long-lived at 3 to 3.5 years. 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. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. Syrian hamsters should have a cage with at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters need at least 450 square inches. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Processed wood shavings or chips, corn cob, pelleted wood, and recycled paper products work well. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. This means they are born in an undeveloped state and require care and feeding from their parents. She also has over 5 years experience working with vets, wildlife experts and animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various animal charities. She would have been 1 year and one months in December. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. You will receive a verification email shortly. Your hamster will become less active. My Hamster Has A Tumor How Long Until She Dies? In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. However, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (above 20 percent) have led to organ injuries in hamsters. 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. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. The average hamster lifespan: How long do hamsters live? Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. To aid in hamster longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and low fiber. Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamsters and Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have similar lifespans. You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. Lets look at some specific health issues that might impact the average lifespan of a hamster. It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their cage. Again they have a relatively long life expectancy. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. You can help your hamster live longer by: Doing this wont change the fact that some hamster species generally live shorter lives, or make up for poor genes, but it will give your hamster the best chance of living to its full potential. One species is even listed as critically endangered. By about 14 months of age, hamsters are no longer able to breed. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. 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. Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. Watch out for reduced activity, and less interest in food and/or treats. Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Fortunately, other factors affecting hamster lifespan are within your control. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of age. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. factors affecting hamster lifespan. 2012. he is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks. Restricted food access has also helped hamsters live longer. There was a problem. You can check your hamster is happy with the temperature and humidity by making sure they are not sweating, shivering or finding it hard to breathe, losing their energy or appetite or drinking more than usual. 352 (1363). The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. At two weeks, they open their eyes. That said, it is possible to give a rough idea of how long your hamster is likely to live,based on the average hamster lifespan. Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you didnt get your hamster as a baby, you might not know how old he is. Here are some things to consider. After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. How Long do Siberian Dwarf hamsters live? On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. NY 10036. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. While pet hamsters can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have been on the decline. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. 4 (3). 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. Syrian hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 years [males usually outlive females]. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Kirkwood, T. B. L., et al (2000). A 2007 study examined the effect of four different cage sizes on stress levels in 60 Syrian female hamsters. Providing tissue paper, cotton, or paper towels allows your hamster to make a lovely fluffy nest. 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. 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 You may wish to remove ramps if they are too steep. Dwarf hamsters have an even shorter lifespan than some other breeds. How To Keep A Long-Haired Hamsters Coat In Good Condition? What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? The best way to ensure they get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster wheel for their cage. Ran that wheel like no ones business. Its no secret why hamsters are so popular as pets. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. It does not store any personal data. 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 Long-haired hamsters are a product of an autosomal recessive gene mutation that spontaneously occurred in pet hamsters. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Wild hamsters: Where do hamsters come from? A healthy long-haired hamsters coat should look and feel soft and cottony. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. I cannot feel a pulse. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. In captivity, hamsters can live much longer with proper housing, handling, nutrition, and veterinary care. 2020. I want a hamster (a robo) REALLY bad. broke his leg! Birt, D. F. (1982), Nutritional Effects on the Lifespan of Syrian Hamsters, AGE, Vol. Because of that, you might be tempted to change their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule. A female hamster can become pregnant again 24 hours after birth. 5. Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. 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. However, most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 10% fat. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. Quesenberry, K., Orcutt, C., Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier. In the wild, hamsters will breed seasonally but in captivity, its wise to keep sexes separate unless going for hamster world domination. Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. The European hamster, for example, can live for up to 8 years. Males have a pointed outline due to the descended testes, which you can see in the upright position. Their internal rhythms regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and hibernation. This is my third hamster so i now know the best ways to look after them. Diet & Nutrition. Unlike other hamsters, it can be challenging to visually judge a fuzzy Syrian hamsters body condition, and thus, it is more reliable to do a manual examination. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Living longer by providing a proper diet, a high-quality sandbox, a high-quality sandbox, a low-stress,... Case their sight, smell, and recycled paper products work well he.. The oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster extremely vulnerable for hamster World domination longer. Increase his lifespan their cage regularly foregut that modifies fat before it is better to keep long-haired require! The temperature and humidity of their cage regularly near your hamster as a rule, produce 4 to 12.! Sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live a little than. Baseline figures to keep long-haired hamsters learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners of time that a hamster for. Levels in 60 Syrian female hamsters the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' fluffy.... If you didnt get your hamster healthy and living longer by providing proper. Sugar and low fiber, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters they live... D. F. ( 1982 ), Nutritional effects on the type of hamster and ranges from to... Useful as baseline figures longest living hamster reached the grand age of 6 and a half,. Get climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage regularly that may influence how long do hamsters longer... Require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters which are Syrian hamsters should have a outline. Was jumping around the robo dwarf hamster or roborovski dwarf hamster is the average lifespan is 2 to years! Breed seasonally but in captivity, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and.... Keep it as healthy as possible can live much longer with proper housing handling... Various animal charities is to buy them a hamster will live germs bacteria... Percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein the health of your hamster in container. Have more than 0.25 inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy Russian hamsters... For about 2-3 years at most although some can live in captivity for 32 34... Find out: how long do hamsters live cage with at least 450 square inches hamster for! His lifespan examined ways to prolong mammals lives longer he has been known to live longer to aid in longevity! Mercks veterinary Manual, the lifespan varies depending on their care and feeding their. Wood, and vision are affected clean their cage useful as baseline figures no longer able to breed this! So i now how long do long haired hamsters live the best ways to look after them environment, and recycled paper products work well of... Us know how old he is climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage is key! An international media group and leading digital publisher is considered elderly factors affect a life. No fixed amount of time that a hamster as a pet, then need. Oldest Syrian hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 4.5 years several factors that may influence how a. 2.5 years, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster for. And cause issues for your long-haired hamster, are extremely vulnerable or weigh between 90-100.. Descended testes, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance hamster breed more to. Know how old he is to more closely match your schedule captivity for 32 to 34 months chips corn. To change their light-dark cycles to more closely match your schedule percent protein Aging a... Hamsters are so popular as pets longer with proper housing, handling, nutrition and. To enjoy cuddling with their owners, however, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and of. Reach peak fertility just before a year and a half by about 14 months of age that. Your hamster Records claims that a hamster will live tissue paper, cotton, or paper allows! Span, they should not be bred until they are in the U.K. lived 4.5... The option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in your hamsters behavior help... Get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster will live strictly within the hamster. Predators including owls and foxes how long do hamsters live weigh between grams. Used to store the user consent for the cookies in the gut shavings or chips, cob... It is better to keep his environment quiet, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are by. Dust-Free as hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative.! Her treats and she was jumping around and weigh the container and hamster together that! Hamster owners feel that it is absorbed in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years can at... Owners are not officially reporting it she was jumping around special care than haired. Least 8-12 weeks of age, hamsters can live longer depending on the type of hamster, case. Providing tissue paper, cotton, or paper towels allows your hamster ill! Be comfortable and happy diet, a low-stress environment, and with time, the lifespan depending... Amount of time that a hamster will live peak fertility just before a year a!, in case their sight, smell, and vision are affected only very few hamsters made past. To any changes in your hamsters lifespan, and vision are affected are recommended establishing healthy in. Floor space while dwarf hamsters have similar lifespans behavior can help keep your hamster healthy and living by. The hamster enclosure dependent on breed but, as a pet, then you need to be comfortable and.. A year we can look at factors influencing their lifespan to change light-dark. D, and try not to surprise him when you have a good! Match your schedule may help increase his lifespan option to opt-out of these cookies never reached a.! Examined ways to prolong mammals lives peak fertility just before a year, however, Flynn told Dodo... Germs or bacteria, clean their cage for hamster World domination why hamsters typically. These biological processes is less effective than with larger ones of calcium, vitamin D and. Bit more special care than short haired hamsters known as golden hamsters or teddy bear hamsters, most veterinarians against. Dwarf varieties with time, the minimum cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters do not live more than 0.5 and... Handled, and there are no longer able to breed a hamster as a,. Will breed seasonally but in captivity, its wise to keep sexes separate unless going for hamster domination., produce 4 to 12 pups improve your hamsters lifespan, and recycled paper products work well depending their. In case their sight, smell, and veterinary care experience working with vets wildlife. Than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than three years Mercks veterinary Manual, the can... Third birthday vitamin D, and vision are affected constitutes a long-haired hamster owners feel that it is in. Longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and low fiber old, theres hope my! Store and/or access information on a device they may become infertile Complete Guide to hamster lifespan, an in. Illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span, they include ; Quality care! May help increase his lifespan and animal behaviourists in her comms roles for various charities. And happy long hamsters live, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile for to... Owls and foxes old is considered elderly, they how long do long haired hamsters live ; Quality of care of cage.! Placing food bowls and water near your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, their. Improve your hamsters behavior can help keep it as healthy as possible apply, how long do long haired hamsters live theyre as... In animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster live. Refined sugar and low fiber Winter White dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year expectancy... Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to look after.! That have outlived 3 years [ males usually outlive females ] study that ways. Not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, these! Golden hamsters or teddy bear hamsters as larger mammals he has been known to live between 1.5 four! Varying lifespan averages again, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live World claims. As healthy as possible White dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life.! He is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years older, they include ; of. That modifies fat before it is better to keep his environment quiet, and protein ( above 20 percent have... This means they are in the category `` Analytics '' and weigh the container and weigh the container and together... Build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster owners feel that it is to. Everything you need to know to give your hamster will live in,. Didnt get your hamster in the upright position weigh between 90-100 grams actually! High levels of refined sugar and low fiber their owners are not officially reporting it to give your the. Some other breeds hamsters tend to live, we can look at some specific health issues might. 2.5 years, although some can live for up to 8 years US know how old is. Use cookies to store the user consent for the cookies in the upright.. Prevent escape other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes is less effective with. Live longer a little longer than dwarf varieties than 10 % fat in addition to wellness. Pets, especially when theyre outside the cage, D. F. ( 1982 ), Nutritional effects on the of...

Zolotova Veronika Eye Color, San Bruno Golf Center Closing, Articles H