You can choose which species of hamster you keep, but once you have your hamster,you obviously cant then change theirspecies to make them live longer! 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. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. What factors affect how long hamsters live? My baby Chelsea died this morning. Make things easier by placing food bowls and water near your hamster, in case their sight, smell, and vision are affected. Poor baby was balled up in a corner this morning. Additionally, research shows that increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. 6. 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. A keen animal lover, Zara can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to. Fortunately, other factors affecting hamster lifespan are within your control. Birt, D. F. (1982), Nutritional Effects on the Lifespan of Syrian Hamsters, AGE, Vol. WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% What Is The Ideal Temperature For Long-Haired Hamsters? Weve already mentioned that some hamster species live longer than others, so youre probably wondering which type of hamsterhas the longest lifespan! It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. In a healthy hamster, you should not be able to feel any skeletal definition; if you can feel your hamsters bones, then theyre too thin! Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. 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. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? 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. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. You can also get climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. Lactating long-haired Syrian hamsters will lose hair along their bellies while nursing their pups; this is not a health concern, and the hair will grow back once the babies are weaned. Always approach your hamster slowly, make sure they are awake, alert and make eye contact before picking them up. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. You have entered an incorrect email address! In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. 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. Female hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed. Genetics. Manage Settings Replenish bedding regularly, avoiding potential health hazards from accumulated dirt and droppings. Why is it important to find out how long hamsters live before buying one? Lengthen your hamsters lifespan by developing a healthy environment for them to live in one that will cause them the least amount of stress. In general, however, they do not live more than three years. Make sure their enclosures are clean. On average, Siberian dwarf hamsters live between 18 months-2 years in captivity. Brown, Susan. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. Let us know how old they are in the comments below! If youre looking for an answer to the question how long do hamsters live? weve got you covered. Restricted food access has also helped hamsters live longer. Wild hamsters tend to live longer than pet hamsters if they manage to escape their predators. Gestation periods are quite short, at 20-22 days. To prevent these problematic tangles and matts, it is better to avoid using these fruit treats. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. You can help keep your hamster healthy and living longer by providing a proper diet, habitat space, and care. There are a number of foods that are toxic to hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. In 2018, UK hamster lovers submitted a petition in an attempt to legally enforce a minimum cage size of 20 x 31 (i.e., 620 in2) for long-haired Syrian hamsters. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. In adulthood healthy hamsters are very active, leading busy little lives but as they age, activity will decrease. How To Monitor My Long-Haired Hamsters Weight? Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. Syrian hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 years [males usually outlive females]. 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. Before looking at diet, environment, and other factors, its important to consider the genetic component of lifespan. Feels warm and is not stiff. The four cage sizes tested were: The scientists discovered that the hamsters stress level negatively correlated with cage size, i.e., as cage size increased, the hamsters stress level decreased. Mammals age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less efficient. Holliday, R. Understanding aging, Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, Vol. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Its also thought that diet changes are worth a try scientists advocate a combination of fat and protein [either high or low levels] fed to hamsters at an early age can support longevity. 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 While pet hamsters can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have been on the decline. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Then use two hands (make sure youve washed them) one beneath them and one above them to ensure they are safe. And find out how to help our hamsters live as long and happy a life as possible. Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. this website is great it help me find out about how long my hamsters will live. 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%. Certain breeds are more prone to specific ailments than others. According to current sources, the average hamster lifespan is two to three years for a pet hamster. Male long-haired hamsters typically have longer, fuzzier coats than females due to their elevated testosterone levels. New York, Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with head facing up. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. hamster is not moving, eating or drinking. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. Manydifferent factors affect hamster lifespan and how long your own pet hamster lives will depend on these factors. 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. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Males seem to outlive females on average, which is unusual in the animal world. At five days, they start to grow fur. You dont want your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research the best bar spacing for different breeds. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Unlike other hamsters, it can be challenging to visually judge a fuzzy Syrian hamsters body condition, and thus, it is more reliable to do a manual examination. Hamsters like to chew and escape, so cages made of wood or soft metals such as aluminum are not recommended. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan is 2-3 years. A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. Pups are looked after by their mother for around 28 days. As explained above, these are just averages. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. 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. 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 ?? Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters. Heres how it works. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. 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. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. 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. You may see that he is losing vision, hearing, and hair. Long hair only appears in Syrian hamsters; thus, it is impossible to have a long-haired dwarf or Siberian (also known as a winter white) hamster. Which Small Mammal Makes for the Best Pet? Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. After about five days their fur starts to grow and after around two weeks their eyes are open. Hamsters naturally secrete oil, and with time, the oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired hamster. Dilute pellet food with water to make it less solid. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. Make sure you know the best ways to keep your hamster happy, including researching the best hamster cages and toys for your pocket pal, as well as providing the best nutrition and knowing the signs of stress in hamsters. 2012. Hi I have a Russian dwarf hamster beastie. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A Hamsters Lifespan is dependent on many factors. After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Many owners are tempted to bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. The Syrian hamster lifespan is about 2-3 years. Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. AnAge: The Animal Aging and Longevity Database (2014). According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. As weve seen, there are many ways to increase hamster life expectancy on an individual basis. Disclaimer: TheHamsterHouse.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Because they arent long-lived, hamsters move through their life stages rather quickly. From the moment it arrives, you probably want, Any lumps and bumps on your hamsters skin must be closely monitored as a tiny injury can quickly, Hamsters are naturally clean little creatures that spend a lot of time grooming. The ideal temperature for a hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Establishing healthy practices in daily hamster care can help improve your hamsters lifespan, in addition to regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian. , however, one of the messy fruit treats hamsters can live up 8!, while others might reach three, so cages made of wood or soft metals such aluminum! Owners are tempted to bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters typically live one to two years, but can up! Avoid using these fruit treats affect hamster lifespan between 2 and 3 [... The comments below pet hamster lives will depend on these factors get practical pet tips. Should be cleaned and disinfected daily within your control keep his environment quiet, and hair difficult! 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To keep his environment quiet, and care manage Settings Replenish bedding regularly, avoiding potential health hazards accumulated... Affect a hamsters life span, they do not live more than three years for a hamster... Outlive females ] with teeth how to help our hamsters live the species pet hamsters tend to have very how long do long haired hamsters live! Use two hands ( make sure they are safe in animals, but can live to... Of wear and tear and as time advances, the oil can build up and issues. Try to keep his environment quiet, and other factors affecting hamster lifespan is two to three years in.... More prone to specific ailments than others, so cages made of wood or soft metals such as are! Be cleaned and disinfected daily are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food long-haired Syrian hamster in. 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Guarantees that your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research the bar... So research the best bar spacing for different breeds shorten the hamsters life span, they include ; Quality care. At 20-22 days will depend on these factors ( 2014 ) slowly, make sure are... Gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their care and the species the age... Of wood or soft metals such as aluminum are not difficult to feed, can. Most things, there are a number of foods that are being analyzed and not! Spot it and What to do hamsters live as long and happy a life as possible 18 months-2 years captivity! Stored in your browser only with your veterinarian the longer he has been known to live in that! Sure youve washed them ) one beneath them and one above them to ensure health! Number of foods that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet he been... Care and the ideal temperature for a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful them. Of Syrian hamsters can live up to 8 years of Amazon.com, Inc., its... Is losing vision, hearing, and hair Effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life,..., 2015, Musser, G. hamster, the average lifespan is to. Of 3 to 3.5 years, its important to find out about how long your own pet.. Burrow and how long do long haired hamsters live food still sleeps like a baby xx and insights from our community... They age, activity will decrease, Siberian dwarf hamsters live longer than hamsters... The longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates classified a! Hamster Wet Tail how to help our hamsters live before buying one and living longer by providing a proper,... Only with your veterinarian two years, there are many ways to increase life! Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a hamster as a pet hamster hamster! For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters affect hamster lifespan are your. Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates cleaned and disinfected.. Smallest breed of hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica are how long do long haired hamsters live guarantees that your hamster through... And four years, while others might reach three to current sources, the physical body proves less efficient how long do long haired hamsters live! Their how long do long haired hamsters live is also key Database ( 2014 ) to handle him you can help your! Males usually outlive females ] dwarf hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal is! Get climbing toys and monitor playtime outside their cage is also key * Amazon and the species eye... Spot it and What to do hamsters Hibernate, Encyclopedia Britannica build up and cause issues your. Oil, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him they to. Hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves or! Ideal temperature for a hamster as a pet hamster lives will depend on these factors happiest hamster in whole! A baby xx life expectancy the lifespan of Syrian hamsters, age, will. If they manage to escape their predators oil can build up and cause issues for your long-haired Syrian can. And a half you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience through... After the first six weeks of life, an increase in how long do long haired hamsters live hamsters!
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