Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. When it comes to cage size, bigger is better but you can research the best dimensions for each breed. 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 Lets look at some specific health issues that might impact the average lifespan of a hamster. Again they have a relatively long life expectancy. Zara is Editor on bookazines and covers a range of topics from cookery to travel and animals. Getting a new pet can be exciting, but how do you choose which one? It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Fiber also helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and modulates levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, 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. 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? You will get different answers to this question depending on where you look. Here are some things to consider. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. To prevent these problematic tangles and matts, it is better to avoid using these fruit treats. A Syrian hamster, for example, requires two teaspoons of food a day; a dwarf hamster needs just one teaspoon. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. It is of course possible for a Roborovski hamster to only live for 1.5 years, or fora Chinese hamster tolive for over 3 years. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. How long do hamster live depending on their species? After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. 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. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Basic Information Sheet: 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 Sizes can range from 24x12x16 to 48x12x16 or larger. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its no secret why hamsters are so popular as pets. Stumbling around, this week of march Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. The Squeaks and Nibbles team take a look at normal hamster lifespan, and how to help your hamster live as long and full a life as possible. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. hi The ideal temperature for a hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. While hamsters may not live as long as other pets such as cats or dogs, these fun little critters can still make wonderful companions for any household. Please refresh the page and try again. Roborovski hamsters are also known as Robo dwarf hamsters or Roborovski dwarf hamsters. A year. Males have a pointed outline due to the descended testes, which you can see in the upright position. Hope she was happy. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Before looking at diet, environment, and other factors, its important to consider the genetic component of lifespan. By about 14 months of age, hamsters are no longer able to breed. According to Mercks Veterinary Manual, the minimum cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters is 6. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? The European hamster, for example, can live for up to 8 years. 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. Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster? 09, 2020 she started having a hard time breathing. You therefore need toknow how long you are committing to looking after your pet and be absolutely sure that youre happy to take on that responsibility. This study demonstrated that owners should keep their long-haired Syrian hamsters in the biggest cage that reasonably fits into their home. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. 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. Fecal matter on the tail, rumps, or belly of the hamster is an indication of wet tail disease, whereas thinning or balding of the coat is linked to certain skin diseases and systemic conditions. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. You dont want your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research the best bar spacing for different breeds. Ill be crushed when the day comes that we lose him. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. 197. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Evolution, stress, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol. 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. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. Provide plenty of stimulus for exercise and natural behaviors add tunnels and sufficient space to burrow and hide, as well as the iconic hamster wheel. 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. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Of course, this applies to all pets and is as true for hamsters as it is for cats, dogs or any other animalyou choose to keep. 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. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their cage. At a minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed. 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. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). There was a problem. 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 The Syrian hamster, for example, generally lives between 2-3 years, but can live longer in captivity. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% Get the best advice, tips and top tech for your beloved Pets. Avoid plastic toys. Before this hamsters may be not survive. Didnt see it coming. Pitts, J. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Quesenberry, K., Orcutt, C., Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In captivity, hamsters can live much longer with proper housing, handling, nutrition, and veterinary care. Long-haired hamsters are the descendants of the notoriously solitary Syrian hamsters and share their aversion to hamster companions. Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. Being alert to any changes in your hamsters behavior can help keep it as healthy as possible. The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. As explained above, these are just averages. Holliday, R. Understanding aging, Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, Vol. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. 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. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? Theyre one of the most popular breeds. However, diarrhea can occur at any age. Before learning how to care for a long-haired Syrian hamster, it is essential to confirm that your hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster and not an imposter! Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. Of course, this is just an average. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Hamsters, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. For example, shortly after obtaining a pet hamster (usually around 3-10 weeks), they may get diarrhea associated with stress. Check out the following information to help you get the most from your pet hamster experience. Many owners are tempted to bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters. Hamsters like to chew and escape, so cages made of wood or soft metals such as aluminum are not recommended. A Data-Backed Answer, Dog And Hamster: Everything You Need To Know, How To Stop A Hamster From Biting You? Genetics are also beyond your control. Heres what we know about giving your furry friend the best chance of a long, healthy life. By comparison, long-haired hamsters kept at temperatures above 86 F are more likely to suffer from heatstroke and obesity. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. But dont! The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. When it comes to cage size, bigger is better to avoid using these treats... It is better to avoid using these fruit treats inflammation, controls metabolism!, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live, however, Flynn told the.... Weeks ), they may get diarrhea associated with stress between the bars so research the best chance a. 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