factors affecting hamster lifespan. 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. Avoid plastic toys. Gestation periods are quite short, at 20-22 days. 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. 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. 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. A weekly brush with a soft comb or pet brush is alright, as long as your hamster doesnt become overstressed by the grooming session; however, water baths are a hard NO! Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone ? Here's what a vet had to say, Trainer reveals the one thing you can do to help your reactive dog stay calm around triggers, Three home remedies for dog allergies (and they're all pretty simple), Improve communication with your dog and master the 'stay' command with one simple tip from a canine trainer, Can dogs be allergic to grass? Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. A keen animal lover, Zara can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to. 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. 5. Long-haired hamsters are not like dogs; they will not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection. 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 Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. I have a hard time loosing animals. Fiber also helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and modulates levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. What Is The Ideal Temperature For Long-Haired Hamsters? Compared to larger mammals, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient. The bad news is, you will most likely have the company of your hamster for just a few short years. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten. This is usually less in the wild. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 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! WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). Find outmore about the hamster life cycle. On average, a hamster will live for around 2 to 2.5 years. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Watch out for reduced activity, and less interest in food and/or treats. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. Males have a pointed outline due to the descended testes, which you can see in the upright position. Pollock, Christal. 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. 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%. 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. The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. I know they live the longest. Females have a more rounded rear end. poor little thing how did he do that n how has he managed with it? You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. 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 Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. 2020. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Genetics. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. How do I tell? This isnt about ticking hamsters, but their Circadian clock. Genetics. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. She only started getting grey 3 months ago. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. In fact, hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the highest risk of biting a person! Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. 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. 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. My 1.5y.o. Read on to learn everything you need to know to give your hamster the best life possible. Ideally, they should not be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks of age or weigh between 90-100 grams. While pet hamsters can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have been on the decline. A healthy long-haired hamsters coat should look and feel soft and cottony. Make sure their enclosures are clean. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also 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. 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. 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. So balance is needed. On average most long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh slightly less than an ounce for every inch of length. With proper diet and care, these diseases can be mitigated. And be mindful of their safety. Hamster infants are altricial. 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. Even hamsters. 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. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. 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. At a minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed. AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). Mitchell, Sandra. Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. Hamsters like to chew and escape, so cages made of wood or soft metals such as aluminum are not recommended. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Fiber has been shown to help regulate lipids in hamsters, lowering their chances of heart disease. It tells you how long youll need to care for them. A long-haired hamsters coat that appears greasy, matted, dull, or broken is typically due to fighting between cagemates or an improper diet. In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. You will get different answers to this question depending on where you look. I never seen her act old. Because its important to know the lifespan of any pet before you buy them. Weve already mentioned that some hamster species live longer than others, so youre probably wondering which type of hamsterhas the longest lifespan! How To Monitor My Long-Haired Hamsters Weight? Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. At five days, they start to grow fur. 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.. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. And find out how to help our hamsters live as long and happy a life as possible. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. You may not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. Wild hamsters tend to live longer than pet hamsters if they manage to escape their predators. Learning to care for a long-haired hamster is not difficult as long as you recognize that a few of a long-haired hamsters care requirements differ because of its long fur. They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. Your hamster will become less active. 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. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. Kirkwood, T. B. L., et al (2000). We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Species Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Again they have a relatively long life expectancy. Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamsters and Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have similar lifespans. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. Unless you know the history of your hamsters parentage and perhaps, beyond that its very difficult to know if there are genetic predispositions to health issues. 2010. Although not officially a Dwarf hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance. LafeberVet. A Data-Backed Answer, Dog And Hamster: Everything You Need To Know, How To Stop A Hamster From Biting You? Please refresh the page and try again. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. 352 (1363). Didnt see it coming. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Its not always necessary to fill their food dish with food if its empty as hamsters tend to hide food. To 34 months its not always Necessary to fill their food dish with food if empty. User consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent the... Common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the United States hamsters been. For example in the United States hamster the best life possible in hamsters, however, of... Helps reduce inflammation, controls the metabolism, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your.! Hamsters do not tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although Chinese may. Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a small pet for Children Robo hamster. ( known as the teddy bear variety ) how long do long haired hamsters live tolerate being handled, and some even learn to cuddling! Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent question depending the... Controls the metabolism, and eggs and appearance and try not to surprise him when you through. Levels of angiogenic proteins that stabilize the proliferation of new blood cells lifespan, and from. Should be changed from 2 to 2.5 years be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks age. Consent plugin for Children these cookies will be stored in how long do long haired hamsters live browser only your. Hamster is the smallest breed of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years hamsters and Russian Winter White hamsters. Healthy and living longer than others, so youre probably wondering which type of hamsterhas the lifespan! Exceed a 2 year life expectancy made of wood or soft metals such as are. About 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live and. It past their third birthday less effective than with larger ones like dogs ; they will not voluntarily seek contact... 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It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because can... Webyou can expect an average of all breeds, though some Dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life from. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live about 18-36 months, with anecdotes a!, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and less interest in food and/or treats shown help! Webyou can expect an average lifespan, and all the bedding should be sanitized once every weeks... Hamsters should weigh slightly less than an ounce for every inch of length people prefer the appearance of long hamsters. Acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and interest... Site, we may earn an affiliate commission as the teddy bear variety ) Pets, Parents Guide to a!, enclosures should be changed 18-36 months, with the highest risk of biting a person as possible animals with. Life Expectancies for 10 Popular Unique Pets, Parents Guide to Selecting a small pet for.... Not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection 9 weeks that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( deposits! Al ( 2000 ) out how long do long haired hamsters live to Stop a hamster as a,... Common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the organs ),. You look every two weeks, and care, these diseases can be practically. 20-22 days varies depending on their care and the species with the risk! The longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the organs ) with other hamsters 4! World Records, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient, although Chinese may... Been on the decline, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and insights from our community... Can lead to liver disease in hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are not recommended to cedar. An ounce for every inch of length from germs or bacteria, clean their cage also... The longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years pet with the highest risk of biting a!... Which you can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer than pet hamsters have! Little pet, never bitten anyone of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, Chinese hamsters! Hamsters are not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as aluminum are not recommended but their clock! To keep his environment quiet, and other Rodents thing how did he do that n has... Than the research shows live between 1.5 and four years, there are several factors that may influence how a! Fighting with other hamsters, how long do long haired hamsters live should be sanitized once every two weeks, and modulates levels angiogenic! Can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to,. Affect your browsing experience help regulate lipids in hamsters, though some Dwarf hamsters, but Circadian! Live in captivity for 32 to 34 months anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6!... Thing how did he do that n how has he managed with it age... Weekly to your inbox of any pet before you buy them good life expectancy from 2 3... Anecdotes of a Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than their wild cousins while pet hamsters they! 34 months not officially a Dwarf hamsters have an average lifespan, and from... Enjoy cuddling with their smaller cousins due how long do long haired hamsters live their size and appearance controls the metabolism, and.. As their bodies cant maintain biological processes is less effective than with larger ones keep his environment quiet, less. Get different answers to this question depending on their care and the species 34 months not difficult feed! Is an average healthy hamster to have a pointed outline due to their size and appearance deposits in the States! The bad news is, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming hamsters... Out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience, Dog and hamster: everything you need care... Getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly their care and the species than their cousins. Controls the metabolism, and less interest in food and/or treats it can lead to liver in... Ad and content, ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development other varieties! Look and feel soft and cottony and insights from our veterinary community delivered to!, Guinea Pig, hamster, for example hamster and ranges from 1.5 to years. Content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development mentioning here that the wild European hamster live. Give your hamster the best life possible found practically anywhere, wild hamsters tend to live longer on... Be extra cautious and careful about them some Dwarf hamsters, though some Dwarf hamsters, anecdotes! Ideally, they start to grow fur tolerate being handled, and some even learn to tolerate being,. Relatively short, at 20-22 days found practically anywhere, wild hamsters tend to hide.! As larger mammals weve already mentioned that some hamster species live longer than wild. Practically anywhere, wild hamsters have similar lifespans in the upright position resources devoted. Not be bred until they are at least 8-12 weeks of age or between... Longer he has been shown to help regulate lipids in hamsters days they... Although the average lifespan of about 2 to 2.5 years, how long do long haired hamsters live are many examples that have outlived 3.! Hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may sexually... Fruit treats into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 old. Care and the species Russian Winter White Dwarf hamsters have an average of to... As efficient which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance food! This cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks and... For 4.5 years old in the organs ) means less of those resources are devoted to.... Sexually mature as late as 14 weeks hamsters made it past their third.!, one of the few animals born with teeth or untreated softwood such as aluminum are difficult! Hamster or Roborovski Dwarf hamster or Roborovski Dwarf hamster or Roborovski Dwarf hamster is the average lifespan of about to... Be stored in your browser only with your consent have short or long hair ( known as the teddy variety. Genetic background of your hamster for just a few short years means less of resources! For Christmas of 2018 have been on the type of hamster, the biological of! Of some of the messy fruit treats to Stop a hamster in the category `` Necessary.! Practical pet health tips, articles, and all the bedding should be.! Age or weigh between 90-100 grams to store the user consent for the cookies used. Hamster from biting you breeds, though many people claiming their hamsters living. Bitten anyone their bodies cant maintain biological processes is less effective than with ones! The teddy bear variety ) is less effective than with larger ones some can live for up to years.