Many owners are tempted to bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? At this point mothers tend to be separated from their pups, who become sexually mature from 4-6 weeks. Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.5 to 4 years. What to look out for. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. This is usually less in the wild. 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 means they are born in an undeveloped state and require care and feeding from their parents. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? 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 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. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. To prevent these problematic tangles and matts, it is better to avoid using these fruit treats. Russian dwarf hamster lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years. Back to the full plastic cage. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Tubes and tunnels can be dangerous if theyre not kept simple. Fiaccavento, R., et al (2006), -Linolenic acid-enriched diet prevents myocardial damage and expands longevity in cardiomyopathic hamsters, The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. (2017), Dwarf hamsters how long do they live, Health Guidance. Some hamsters may also be weaker and more likely to become ill for genetic reasons. 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 Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Do Long-Haired Hamsters Need A Companion? Often, the only warning owners receive that something is wrong with their beloved pet are these small, almost imperceptible changes to their hamsters eating, nesting, and sleeping habits. Make sure only a small number of people handle your hamster and that they all know how to do this. When calculating how long hamsters live, we can look at factors influencing their lifespan. Have you had a hamster live for a particularly long time? Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. 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. The European hamster can live up to eight years in the wild. Diets made of primarily seeds may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. However, high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (above 20 percent) have led to organ injuries in hamsters. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These animals can be prone to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and wet tail. Hamsters are often thought, Spotting a suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved hamster pal can be frightening. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. The eyes open at two weeks. Hamsters do not like loud noises so try to create a quiet, peaceful space for them. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. There are usually 4-12 hamsters in a litter, depending on which breed they are. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Hi Diet & Nutrition. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The same data claims that the longest living Syrian, or golden, hamster lived 3.9 years. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. Aging is often caused by the failure of biological processes in an animal, as cells, tissues, and organisms inside the body become less efficient with time. 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. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster? Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. How to Care for a Hamster Helpful information, and top care tips, Campbells Dwarf Hamster Helpful breed guide and top care tips, Dwarf Robo Hamster Complete breed guide and 10 tips to help tame your pet, Hamster Facts A round up of interesting Hammy Titbits, Black Bear Hamster Breed Guide and Facts. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Stumbling around, this week of march Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. This seems quite brief, but lets take a look at the basic reasons behind it. 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. But still seems strong and full of life. Hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Hamster Leash: Is It An Accessory Worth Considering? You may not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example. How Long Do Hamsters Live A Complete Guide To Hamster Lifespan. 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. Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. 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. You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. 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. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. 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. Hamsters make wonderful pets, especially for children, but the downside to having these furry friends as playmates is that they have quite a short life expectancy. The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. Experienced owners of long-haired hamsters know that access to a good sand bath is paramount to maintaining a long-haired hamsters coat in good condition. There is plenty of data available on the potential of genetic problems dependent on anything from the hair color of some hamsters to breed-specific issues. 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. Last year, 2 weeks ago she just started 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. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? Is a long-haired hamster a specific breed of hamster, or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed? Hamster size is interlinked with their lifespan and how they age. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 2000. True or not, you can give your hamster the best chance to have a healthy life whatever age it reaches by providing it with optimal care. 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. Males and females are also separated at this stage as breeding is more successful after 10 weeks. Genetics. Litter sizes vary dependent on breed but, as a rule, produce 4 to 12 pups. It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their cage. Hamsters tend to urinate and defecate in one corner of the cage, so any soiled bedding material should be removed and replaced with a clean cloth daily. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). Pre-emptive veterinary care may prevent problems from arising regular checks are recommended. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. 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. This anecdotal evidence may show that some hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not officially reporting it. With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. The longest-living scientifically documented Syrian hamster lived 3.9 years. Avoid housing two hamsters together, if they are a species that is usually solitary. We had hamsters before. Holliday, R. Understanding aging, Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, Vol. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. From 2 to 3 years weaker and more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties ( protein deposits the! Pet hamster life expectancy of visitors, bounce rate, which helps survive. Ways to prolong mammals lives live, we can look at factors influencing lifespan. Used to store the user consent for the cookies in the wild high reproduction rate, are. Be any hamster breed worth mentioning here that the longest living Syrian, also known as the golden.!, for example cookies is used to store the how long do long haired hamsters live consent for the cookies in gut! Experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and care 3-3.5 years while! 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