Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. Exposure to feces and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. 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 To monitor subtle changes in your long-haired hamsters weight, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check. If your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can place them into the bowl of the kitchen scale. Hamsters also need plenty of space to move around. 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. Do Long-Haired Hamsters Need A Companion? How long do hamsters live? They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. 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. Inevitably, your hamster will age. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Cage size is one of the most important factors to ensure the health of your hamster. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Long-haired hamsters are a product of an autosomal recessive gene mutation that spontaneously occurred in pet hamsters. They generally live a little longer than other dwarf varieties. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. As weve seen, there are many ways to increase hamster life expectancy on an individual basis. In adulthood healthy hamsters are very active, leading busy little lives but as they age, activity will decrease. No matter the quantity of life your pet has, you have control over the quality enjoy the time you have with your happy hamster. 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 She only started getting grey 3 months ago. It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. 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.. But still seems strong and full of life. Long-haired hamsters are not like dogs; they will not voluntarily seek human contact or physical affection. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. How Long Do Hamsters Live A Complete Guide To Hamster Lifespan. Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. At five days, they start to grow fur. I made sure she had a happy life. How long do hamsters live? 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. It does not store any personal data. Kaytee Fiesta Pet Hamster And Gerbil Food, 4.5 Pound, Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix 2lbs, Wild Harvest WH-83543 Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet for Hamsters or Gerbils, 4.5-Pound, Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Pet Mouse, Rat, and Hamster Food, 5 Pound, Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food - Dry Food for Dwarf Hamsterrs - Vitamin-Fortified with Essential Nutrients - Supports Healthy Digestion and Healthy Teeth. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? Bar spacing is also important when it comes to choosing your hamsters cage. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. There is plenty of data available on the potential of genetic problems dependent on anything from the hair color of some hamsters to breed-specific issues. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Evolution, stress, and longevity, Journal of Anatomy, Vol. A healthy long-haired hamsters coat should look and feel soft and cottony. Hamster lifespan depends on several variables. This seems quite brief, but lets take a look at the basic reasons behind it. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. This is an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster. What Is The Ideal Temperature For Long-Haired Hamsters? The pups are born deaf, blind and hairless. Females have a more rounded rear end. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of age. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. They have also been known to move their young by storing infants in their cheek pouches. Hamsters get dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, and oats. What factors affect how long hamsters live? Hi I have a Russian dwarf hamster beastie. Birt, D. F. (1982), Nutritional Effects on the Lifespan of Syrian Hamsters, AGE, Vol. Apart from feeding your hamster a nutritional diet, limiting food access might help improve the hamsters lifespan. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Cages should be sanitized with hot water and a nontoxic disinfectant or detergent, and thoroughly rinsed. 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. 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. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. Learn how your comment data is processed. Pre-emptive veterinary care may prevent problems from arising regular checks are recommended. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. She was the one hamster ? 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. Lets look at some specific health issues that might impact the average lifespan of a hamster. Caring for a long-haired hamster requires a good diet, a high-quality sandbox, a low-stress environment, and plenty of cage space. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. You may not know the genetic background of your hamster, for example. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. 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. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. When calling a hamster a long-haired teddy bear hamster, it is not incorrect, but it is redundant to use the terms long-haired and teddy bear in the same hamster description. New York, However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. Restricted food access has also helped hamsters live longer. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Experienced owners of long-haired hamsters know that access to a good sand bath is paramount to maintaining a long-haired hamsters coat in good condition. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If they are crepuscular, they are most active at dawn and dusk. Hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies. Is a long-haired hamster a specific breed of hamster, or can a long-haired hamster be any hamster breed? This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. The same data claims that the longest living Syrian, or golden, hamster lived 3.9 years. With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. Manydifferent factors affect hamster lifespan and how long your own pet hamster lives will depend on these factors. Syrian hamsters commonly suffer from heart disease, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. You will receive a verification email shortly. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. In captivity, Syrian Hamsters can live up to a maximum of four years, but most live for around two years. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. 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. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Disruption of natural cycles involving activity, sleep, and reproduction can contribute to aging. Litter sizes vary dependent on breed but, as a rule, produce 4 to 12 pups. If youre thinking about keeping a hamster, one of the main things to think about is how long do hamsters live? When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Hamsters do not tend to have very long life cycles. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Learning what normal behavior for your long-haired hamster is will allow you to notice subtle differences in your hamster behavior. If you provide a well-balanced diet for your hamster, grains, fruits, and vegetables can be given as occasional treats. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. In the wild Syrian hamsters are prey animals and have evolved to hide injuries or ill health for fear of making themselves vulnerable to predators. Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. Trudy is 2 and showing no signs at all of ageing. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. This is my third hamster so i now know the best ways to look after them. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. 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. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Changes in their circadian rhythms can indicate aging and illness. hamster is not moving, eating or drinking. His teeth may also work less well. Heres what we know about giving your furry friend the best chance of a long, healthy life. Dwarf hamsters have an even shorter lifespan than some other breeds. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. Ran that wheel like no ones business. Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. Read on to learn everything you need to know to give your hamster the best life possible. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. If you encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and other items closer to where he sleeps. 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 However, diarrhea can occur at any age. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. 7 Proven Tips. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. How To Monitor My Long-Haired Hamsters Weight? Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Owners caring for long-haired Syrian hamsters need to consider their hamsters: Every long-haired hamster owner needs to master the skill of monitoring their hamsters condition. 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. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. 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. Of course, this is just an average. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. 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! So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? factors affecting hamster lifespan. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. Some hamsters will have inherited genes from their parent and grandparents that helpthem to live a long life, while other hamsters will have inherited genes that lead to a shorter lifespan. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. By comparison, long-haired hamsters kept at temperatures above 86 F are more likely to suffer from heatstroke and obesity. Make sure your hamster gets fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Holliday, R. Understanding aging, Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, Vol. Usually only used to store the user consent for the cookies in the ``... From 1.5 to 3.5 years to sickness to 28 days old where he sleeps a... 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