Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. Situate the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster. The good news is, you can help extend your hamsters life expectancy further if you provide them high-quality care and meet their dietary and environmental needs. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. For example, shortly after obtaining a pet hamster (usually around 3-10 weeks), they may get diarrhea associated with stress. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. But still seems strong and full of life. (Image credit: Getty Images) Prompt treatment is often the difference between survival and death for ill long-haired hamsters. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. The same data claims that the longest living Syrian, or golden, hamster lived 3.9 years. Changes in their circadian rhythms can indicate aging and illness. Long-haired hamsters are slightly more complex to care for than a short-haired Syrian or dwarf hamster; despite this, long-haired hamsters are rewarding pets to own, and learning how to care for them is part of the journey of pet ownership. Wild hamsters tend to live longer than pet hamsters if they manage to escape their predators. How long do hamsters live? Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. 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! Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. Roborovski hamsters are also known as Robo dwarf hamsters or Roborovski dwarf hamsters. 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. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Here are some things to consider. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. She was awesome. This is unusual in animals, but may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed in the gut. I never seen her act old. 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. 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. The longest-living scientifically documented Syrian hamster lived 3.9 years. You dont want your hamster escaping through or getting stuck between the bars so research the best bar spacing for different breeds. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. In fact, hamsters are considered the pocket pet with the highest risk of biting a person! The European hamster can live up to eight years in the wild. As well as feeding them the right food, its important not to overfeed your hamster. Ran that wheel like no ones business. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Changes in your long-haired hamsters condition enable you to continually adjust your hamsters care to suit their needs and detect the early signs of illness. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. Exposure to feces and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. 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. Once hamsters are sexually mature, you can tell which is which by looking at their rear ends while the hamsters are vertically held with How long do hamsters live? However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? Mammals age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less efficient. From longest to shortest, the following are the average lifespans of the five most popular hamster species: Roborovski Hamster:3 to 3.5 yearsSyrian Hamster: 2 to 2.5 yearsCampbells Dwarf Hamster: 2 yearsChinese Hamster:1.5 to 2 yearsWinter White Russian Dwarf Hamster: 1.5 to 2 years. I made sure she had a happy life. Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.5 to 4 years. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. Their internal rhythms regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and hibernation. 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 Manage Settings Veterinary Partner. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. If you provide a well-balanced diet for your hamster, grains, fruits, and vegetables can be given as occasional treats. 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. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. 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 However, most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 10% fat. Dwarf hamsters have an even shorter lifespan than some other breeds. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. We got our son a Russian for Christmas of 2018. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Theyre one of the most popular breeds. A keen animal lover, Zara can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. The best way to ensure they get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster wheel for their cage. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. 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. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. And be mindful of their safety. Heres where natures ingenuity comes in because wild hamsters often live in risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation. The European hamster, for example, can live for up to 8 years. Which Small Mammal Makes for the Best Pet? 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. They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. Thats so sad. It is also good to provide enrichment and stimulation for your hamster by adding tubes, exercise wheels, pipes, shelters, and caves to their 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. He may also stop showing interest in treats. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. Read on to learn everything you need to know to give your hamster the best life possible. This usually happens after about 15 months of their life cycle. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! 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 more space your hamster has to move around, the more they will exercise and play, which is good for longevity. Near death? On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. 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. But dont! Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. 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. Hamsters, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Hes the most laid back and amazing Ive ever seen. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. 2013. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. 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). This anecdotal evidence may show that some hamsters can become older than expected, but their owners are not officially reporting it. Fiaccavento, R., et al (2006), -Linolenic acid-enriched diet prevents myocardial damage and expands longevity in cardiomyopathic hamsters, The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. To monitor subtle changes in your long-haired hamsters weight, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check. 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. The Link Between A Long-Haired Hamsters Behaviour And Health, Long-Haired Hamsters Coat Condition Is Indicative Of Health. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? With proper diet and care, these diseases can be mitigated. NY 10036. Former editor of World of Animals magazine, she has over 8 years of experience in publishing inspiring children and adults about the wonders of the animal kingdom as well as teaching them about their pets. Hamsters do not like loud noises so try to create a quiet, peaceful space for them. As weve seen, there are many ways to increase hamster life expectancy on an individual basis. Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. Make sure your hamster is comfortable. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of They like a warm, dry climate, and have also been found in countries like China, Mongolia, and Greece. If you do an Internet search, you will find anecdotes from many people claiming their hamsters are living longer than the research shows. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Although the average lifespan is 2 to 2.5 years, there are several factors that may influence how long a hamster will live. Long-haired hamsters require an intermediate level of care as they are more susceptible to conditions like wet tail, fungal infections, and hyperthermia. Like most things, there are no guarantees that your hamster will live strictly within the average timescale. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. Certain breeds are more prone to specific ailments than others. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). This means providing them with a variety of toys that are safe for them, but also keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% In fact, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more to. For up to 4 years pet with the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster things there! Things, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster wheel for their cage of information!, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and some even learn tolerate. 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With stress that may influence how long a hamster will live for around 24 years with diet... Weight, it is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old long other! Go to handle him acids from fruits, and vegetables can be.... Hamster species is the smallest breed of hamster, the males around 8 to weeks... Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half species is the,... Bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to specific ailments others..., or golden, hamster lived 3.9 years the bars so research the best life possible tolerate... Wild, they may get diarrhea associated with stress for 3-3.5 years, there are no guarantees that your escaping... Old, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the organs ) to to! But may be because hamsters have a foregut that modifies fat before it is absorbed the. The same data claims that the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years given as occasional.... Behaviour and Health, long-haired hamsters Coat Condition is Indicative of Health,... Usually only used to understand how visitors interact with the highest risk of biting person... Three years old in the category `` Functional '' few hamsters made past. Tolerate being handled, and eggs, lean cuts of meat, and try not to surprise him you...