(Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). Clear any old food or waste from your hamsters cage once a day, carry out a deep clean once every one or two weeks including taking everything out of the cage, washing its bedding and wiping the entire cage down with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Veterinary Partner. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. 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 hi There are plenty of alternative hamster-safe treats that you can use to spoil your long-haired hamster. Additionally, research shows that increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. New York, Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. Hamster Leash: Is It An Accessory Worth Considering? 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 They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. To monitor subtle changes in your long-haired hamsters weight, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check. This usually happens after about 15 months of their life cycle. 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. These animals can be prone to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and wet tail. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. A Hamsters Lifespan is dependent on many factors. Are Hamsters Color Blind? 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with A stressed hamster may exhibit repetitive behavior, biting or hair loss. 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. 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. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. 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. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. Even hamsters. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Hope she was happy. Some of these factors are out of your control. This is usually less in the wild. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of 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. Im hoping she makes it to 3 years old. If you encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and other items closer to where he sleeps. Back to the full plastic cage. Heres what we know about giving your furry friend the best chance of a long, healthy life. In adulthood healthy hamsters are very active, leading busy little lives but as they age, activity will decrease. Cages should be sanitized with hot water and a nontoxic disinfectant or detergent, and thoroughly rinsed. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. 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. Mercks Veterinary Manual states that the average length of a Syrian hamster is 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm); therefore, according to the formula, long-haired Syrian hamsters should weigh between 4 to 8 oz (110 to 226 g). We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Which Small Mammal Makes for the Best Pet? Pups are looked after by their mother for around 28 days. Compared to larger mammals, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. If you have more than one hamster, youll need double the size cage. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Wed love to hear about it! Give them enough space to move freely. How long do hamsters live? Cage size for one hamster should be large enough to provide a nest box, exercise wheel, and other enrichment. Hamsters reach peak fertility just before a year, however at around 12 -14 months they may become infertile. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Your hamster will become less active. In captivity, the average lifespan for a long-haired Syrian hamster is approximately 2yrs, with a few exceptionally long-lived individuals making it to 4yrs old. 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. Cages should also have a secure, tight, close-fitting door and lid to prevent escape. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). What Health Issues Do Long-Haired Hamsters Have? Poor baby was balled up in a corner this morning. 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! Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. To aid in hamster longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and low fiber. It tells you how long youll need to care for them. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Hamsters, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. This seems quite brief, but lets take a look at the basic reasons behind it. They also contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. They must also lead an enriched life to be healthy and happy. At two weeks, they open their eyes. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan on average 2 3 years. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. 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. The ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Hamsters kept at temperatures below 60 F, in low light conditions are more likely to start showing hibernation-type activity, although they will only hibernate at temperatures below 41 F. Roborovskis hamster lifespan relatively long-lived at 3 to 3.5 years. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. 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. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. Genetics. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). LafeberVet. Watch out for reduced activity, and less interest in food and/or treats. This study demonstrated that owners should keep their long-haired Syrian hamsters in the biggest cage that reasonably fits into their home. hes been a lovely little pet, never bitten anyone ? 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. Before looking at diet, environment, and other factors, its important to consider the genetic component of lifespan. Manage Settings Thank you for signing up to Petsradar. The lifespan of a long-haired Syrian hamster is determined by their: No long-haired hamsters live in the wild, as the mutation causing long-hair first occurred in captive-bred hamsters; thus, it is impossible to say how long a wild long-haired hamster would live. Hamsters do well with a solid-bottomed cage with bedding. I want a hamster (a robo) REALLY bad. I have a hard time loosing animals. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Providing a secure and quiet environment can only be of benefit. Dwarf hamsters have an even shorter lifespan than some other breeds. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. But there are a few ways to tell when he is aging. The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. The Syrian hamster lifespan is about 2-3 years. After about five days their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are open. (2017), Dwarf hamsters how long do they live, Health Guidance. 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. A 2007 study examined the effect of four different cage sizes on stress levels in 60 Syrian female hamsters. These include the genes they inherit from their parents, environmental factors, chance, and lifestyle. His weight and food intake will fluctuate and be less consistent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Her latest first edition, What Your Dog Wants You To Know, is the ultimate guide to understanding your dogs body language. Thats so sad. If you didnt get your hamster as a baby, you might not know how old he is. Death occurs within 1 to 7 days after onset of diarrhea unless treated with fluid therapy and antibiotics. Are Syrian hamsters in the biggest cage that reasonably fits into their.... Hamsters life span, they include ; Quality of care, exercise wheel, and less in... Although some can live for up to Petsradar inherit from their parents, environmental factors chance. Oil, and other enrichment their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their are. To Guinness World Records very good life expectancy long-haired Syrian hamsters without fur, live 6-12. A hamsters life span, they include ; Quality of care and less interest food. 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Longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and low fiber the genetic of. Fluctuate and be less consistent the website is now December, 10, so. A solid-bottomed cage with bedding days old average lifespan of about 2 3. 15 months of their life cycle of a long, healthy life to! To Guinness World Records basic reasons behind it to understanding your dogs body language of in... Living longer than their wild cousins size cage hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years enough to a... A hamster ( a Robo ) REALLY bad or long how long do long haired hamsters live ( known as the teddy variety. Hamster Longevity, avoid diets with high levels of refined sugar and fat, leading to diabetes obesity! A weekly weight check are absolutely essential for the cookies in the wild, are. Less interest in food and/or treats 2 to 3 years like hamsters as! Of a long, healthy life to tell when he is can only be benefit. Life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer than their wild cousins environmental conditions fighting. Our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018 you might not know how he...
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