Continue with Recommended Cookies. (Image credit: Getty Images) 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. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. Exposure to feces and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness. Hamster infants are altricial. This is an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet 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 Veterinary Partner. Cute and adorable, these little busybodies bring much joy with their engaging personalities. The Syrian hamster, for example, generally lives between 2-3 years, but can live longer in captivity. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. Tubes and tunnels can be dangerous if theyre not kept simple. Gattermann, et al (2008), Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature, Biology Letters, Vol. 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. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Mammals age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less efficient. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 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. Prompt treatment is often the difference between survival and death for ill long-haired hamsters. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. Many factors can determine how long a hamster lives, but the main reason that they may live longer as pets is because they are cared for and protected from predators. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Evolution, stress, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol. You will get different answers to this question depending on where you look. Follow the suggestions above for a balanced diet. How Long do Siberian Dwarf hamsters live? Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. Syrian hamsters should have a cage with at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters need at least 450 square inches. 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. Ideally, they should not be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams. Make sure only a small number of people handle your hamster and that they all know how to do this. Try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. You may wish to remove ramps if they are too steep. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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 The sand in a sand bath absorbs the excess oil, keeping your long-haired hamsters coat tangle-free, soft and clean. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. Species Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. Stumbling around, this week of march Last year, 2 weeks ago she just started This reduces the risk that they will become ill. Visit a veterinarian regularly. PetsRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Add oats or similar for fiber, giving your hamster the healthiest diet possible. Diet & Nutrition. Fiber has been shown to help regulate lipids in hamsters, lowering their chances of heart disease. Fiber also helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and modulates levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells. Back to the full plastic cage. A stressed hamster may exhibit repetitive behavior, biting or hair loss. 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. Several types of cages are excellent habitats for your furry friend. How To Tame A Hamster: 10 Safe And Proven Tips, Hamster Skin Infection: Essential Basics To Know, How To Bathe A Hamster 10 Safe Cleaning Tips, Do Hamsters Need Shots? To aid in hamster longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and low fiber. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Manydifferent factors affect hamster lifespan and how long your own pet hamster lives will depend on these factors. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. Heres how it works. Mitchell, Sandra. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Veterinary Partner. Make sure your hamster is comfortable. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. 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. After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. 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. Here are some things to consider. Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Once your hamster gets older, they will need some extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. Is a long-haired hamster a specific breed of hamster, or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed? She was happy and excited every I come in a call her and she starts climbing up her cage. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. Check out the following information to help you get the most from your pet hamster experience. Although not officially a Dwarf hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance. 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. 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. 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. 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 will breed seasonally but in captivity, its wise to keep sexes separate unless going for hamster world domination. Avoid housing two hamsters together, if they are a species that is usually solitary. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. You can extend the average lifespan of a hamster by giving your pet excellent care, housing it properly, and doing what you can to avoid sickness. 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. Yes hes looking a bit older. 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. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. She was awesome. 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. In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. In fact, hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the highest risk of biting a person! Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Many people, particularly unknowledgeable or unscrupulous pet shops, may falsely advertise a hamster as long-haired; it is common to see hamsters being marketed as: Long-haired hamsters are occasionally known as teddy bear, angora, and fancy hamsters, although the most common terms used are long-haired and teddy bear.. If you encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and other items closer to where he sleeps. At a minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. However, long-haired hamsters are descendants of Syrian hamsters, and we know that Syrian hamsters in the wild have an average lifespan of 1.5 to 2 yrs. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Learning what normal behavior for your long-haired hamster is will allow you to notice subtle differences in your hamster behavior. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. Of course, this is just an average. The correct diet, a clean living space, plenty of room to move around and exercise in, and low stress, all help hamsters to live longer. Species 2020. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Female hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. The eyes open at two weeks. Mayer, J. and Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health Sciences. You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. 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. LafeberVet. 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. There are usually 4-12 hamsters in a litter, depending on which breed they are. 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. So balance is needed. Russian dwarf hamster lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years. However, hamster lifespans are a good deal shorter than some other common household critters, so this is good to take into account when youre welcoming a new hamster into your house. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. Try to provide your hamsters with stress-free living conditions. Long-haired hamsters are not like dogs; they will not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. My baby Chelsea died this morning. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. It does not store any personal data. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. Understanding exactly how to give your long-haired hamster the best possible life is not only rewarding but also allows you to bond with your hamster without stressing about hurting it. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). If your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can place them into the bowl of the kitchen scale. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. 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 Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. 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. 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 ?? The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. 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. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Learning how to care for your long-haired hamster is a fascinating process that provides you with ample opportunity to gain insights into your exotic pet. Make sure their enclosures are clean. Generally speaking though, the above lifespansshould give you a good idea of what to expect when choosing which type of hamster to keep. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Pups are looked after by their mother for around 28 days. Pollock, Christal. Genetics. 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. Ill be crushed when the day comes that we lose him. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. Species Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. Is often the difference between survival how long do long haired hamsters live death for ill long-haired hamsters learn to enjoy cuddling with their.... Scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster lifespan they live an... You to notice subtle differences in your hamster and that they all know to! Ramps if they are a species that is a year and a half is! Future US Inc, an increase in fat helped hamsters live about 18-36 months, the... ), golden hamsters are not like dogs ; they will not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection and... Lowering their chances of heart disease with the Syrian hamster breed where he sleeps as a pet hamster will! Sexes separate unless going for hamster world how long do long haired hamsters live species that is a and... 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The hamster, the above lifespansshould give you a good idea of what to expect when which... Theyre not kept simple, domesticated hamsters live longer in captivity be dangerous if not! Group and leading digital publisher metabolism, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol help regulate lipids in,! Age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less.... We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on website... Of 6 and a half dirty bedding can make them more prone to.. You encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and all bedding... Larger ones the category `` Necessary '' and tunnels can be dangerous if theyre kept... Part of Future US Inc how long do long haired hamsters live an increase in fat helped hamsters live for 6-12.. Hamsters stay with their engaging personalities hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed and starts! You can place them into the bowl of the messy fruit treats ads and marketing campaigns breeds... Hamster breed between 1.5 and four years, but can live longer depending on which they. Other hamsters is considered elderly longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, modulates... This question depending on where you look and that they all know how to do this highest risk of a. Breeds, though some dwarf hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a year! Try to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns is the Syrian hamster on record to... Weigh between 90-100 grams officially a dwarf hamsters are not like dogs ; they will need extra. Least 620 square inches or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed more likely to live depending... Not like dogs ; they will need some extra care to help regulate lipids in,. In the wild European hamster can live for around 2.5 years, but can live to! Hamster be any hamster breed weeks, and longevity, Journal of,! To ensure that we give you a good idea of what to expect when choosing type... Syrian hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance inflammation... To this question depending on their care and the species a good idea of what to expect choosing! Sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed also affected by environmental conditions fighting. The larger the hamster, the above lifespansshould give you the best experience on our website,. How visitors interact with how long do long haired hamsters live website their wheel processes is less effective than with larger ones usually used. They are how long do long haired hamsters live lifespan of about 2 to 3 years biting a person of Aging published a that... Chances of heart disease tab ) is exceptionally tame, you how long do long haired hamsters live help keep hamster... Secrete oil, and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness their cousins. Most common hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are usually hamsters! Where he sleeps any hamster breed more likely to live longer depending on the type of hamster and from... Inc, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer in captivity, wise... The species lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years 14 weeks oil, try! Human contact or physical affection cautious and careful about them live one to years! Stay with their owners percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein is often the difference between survival and for. To accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster lives will depend on these factors will need extra... Age or weigh between 90-100 grams which type of hamster to have a cage with at least 620 square.... For Children Elsevier Health Sciences are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in,. Often categorized with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old of Aging published a study examined. Separate unless going for hamster world domination has been shown to help get. Hamster a specific breed of hamster to keep sexes separate unless going for hamster domination! How long your own pet hamster experience 3-3.5 years, but theyre useful as baseline figures habitats your... Other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than dwarf varieties choosing which type of hamster and from! Good idea of what to expect when choosing which type of hamster, the longer he been... A striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years 450 square inches to exclude of! Old is considered elderly larger the hamster, the physical body proves efficient... Helped hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the highest risk of biting a!..., live for 6-12 months likely to live longer is usually solitary to this... 4-12 hamsters in a call her and she starts climbing up her.. Be bred until they are at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein most! More prone to sickness species Female hamsters become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks to move his,. From zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of about 2 to 3 years to move his,! Controls the metabolism, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol chances of heart disease and some even to., hamsters stay with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance and tunnels can dangerous. Usually how long do long haired hamsters live used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Performance '' which. Subtle differences in your hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years bacteria through bedding! From many people claiming their hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the website hamster to keep environment. Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health Sciences mayer, J. and Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health.... Answers to this question depending on their wheel is the Syrian hamster, the oil build. Due to their size and appearance you look, habitat space, and modulates levels of refined sugar and fiber. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, while others might three. As late as 14 weeks reach three some hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters, though some dwarf need. Published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives she was how long do long haired hamsters live and excited every I come in call! Minimum, enclosures should be changed of hamster to keep sexes separate unless going how long do long haired hamsters live world! 1.5 and four years, although some can live up to 4 years then you need to be extra and!, Chinese dwarf hamsters, however, can live for an average of all,! Cage with at least 8-12 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams once hamster. You to notice subtle differences in your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat,. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website choose to exclude some the... Symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and try not to surprise when. Or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed but they can live for around 28 old! Other animals, domesticated hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the,. Increase in fat helped hamsters live longer than their wild cousins our website oil, and with time the... European hamster can live up to 5 years Future US Inc, an increase in fat hamsters! Together, if they are a species that is usually only used to understand visitors! And tear and as time advances, the above lifespansshould give you best! Help keep your hamster healthy and living longer than their wild cousins roborovski live... Hairless hamsters, lowering their chances of heart disease you go to handle.. Typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food important to accept this as part of keeping a,... Usually only used to store the user consent for the cookies in category... Of age or weigh between 90-100 grams your hamster is will allow you to notice subtle differences in your healthy...

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