Commercial cages made of rigid plastic material (e.g., polycarbonate, polysulfone, and polypropylene) or stainless steel are great options. 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. Hes the most laid back and amazing Ive ever seen. They have also been known to move their young by storing infants in their cheek pouches. 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. 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. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. While most hamsters are typically marketed as low-maintenance pets ideal for first-time pet owners, this is not true for all hamster species. Differential Diagnosis in Hamsters. Mitchell, Sandra. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). 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. She had a huge 3 story cage , tunnels .2 wheels 3 igloos she slept in and she loved to get in her ball. They lived up to 3 years. No matter the quantity of life your pet has, you have control over the quality enjoy the time you have with your happy hamster. With proper diet and care, these diseases can be mitigated. Because they arent long-lived, hamsters move through their life stages rather quickly. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. However, hamster lifespans are a good deal shorter than some other common household critters, so this is good to take into account when youre welcoming a new hamster into your house. Getting a new pet can be exciting, but how do you choose which one? The ideal temperature for a hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent. Hamsters are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal in captivity. 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. Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. All sorts of thoughts, Welcoming a new hamster into your family is always exciting. 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 A 2007 study examined the effect of four different cage sizes on stress levels in 60 Syrian female hamsters. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. Studies have shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a contributing factor in longevity. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. Long-haired hamsters are susceptible to wet tail disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters. 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. Chinese dwarf hamster lifespan on average 2 3 years. 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. This is my third hamster so i now know the best ways to look after them. 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 do not need companions, and most do better if kept alone, as long as they have adequate cage space and enrichment toys. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of What Health Issues Do Long-Haired Hamsters Have? 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 (2017), Dwarf hamsters how long do they live, Health Guidance. Roborovski hamsters are also known as Robo dwarf hamsters or Roborovski dwarf hamsters. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. hamster is not moving, eating or drinking. 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. On average, a hamster will live for around 2 to 2.5 years. To help prevent these problems, ensure that your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber. Nature is ingenious and because hamsters are small, they can be vulnerable in the wild therefore, hamsters become fertile at a young age, producing several litters to ensure species survival. The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. How Long Do Hamsters Live A Complete Guide To Hamster Lifespan. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. One more important thing to enhance your hamsters lifespan: do not disrupt your hamsters circadian clocks. We are a team of prolific hamster fans and pet enthusiasts, combing the web for up-to-date, fact-checked information on hamster breeds, care, and products. Amazon Associates ProgramTheHamsterHouse.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.co.uk and Amazon.com. While pet hamsters can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have been on the decline. 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. There is a lack of definitive information on the longest-living hamsters, with anecdotes of a Syrian hamster living over 6 years! Theyre easy to care for, and with frequent handling, they can be very docile and affectionate. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. They are the smallest breed of hamster, and they are adapted to desert conditions. Pitts, J. A keen animal lover, Zara can often be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to. 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. Compared to larger mammals, the biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as efficient. 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.. Pollock, Christal. 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 a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Caring for a long-haired hamster requires a good diet, a high-quality sandbox, a low-stress environment, and plenty of cage space. Fortunately, other factors affecting hamster lifespan are within your control. Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. 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. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. factors affecting hamster lifespan. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. Apart from feeding your hamster a nutritional diet, limiting food access might help improve the hamsters lifespan. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Most long-haired hamsters do well if the bulk of their diet is made up of commercially balanced hamster pellets containing 5% to 20% fat and 16% to 24% dietary protein. 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. Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I cannot feel a pulse. Manage Settings A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? For example, some breeds feel the cold easier than others, so avoid draughts and chilly rooms similarly, direct sunlight might be harmful. In general, however, they do not live more than three years. Avoid anything too steep or convoluted. 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. We have a cambell hamster and is still going stong,he was bought 14\04\14 even thow he broken is leg 21/2 years a go. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. Exposure to feces and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of hamster and ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 years. 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. After the first six weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live longer. You therefore need toknow how long you are committing to looking after your pet and be absolutely sure that youre happy to take on that responsibility. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. 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. Roborovski dwarf hamster lifespan is 3-3.5 years. This is usually less in the wild. As tiny creatures, hamsters typically live around 2 to 3 years. There is no consensus about the best size for a long-haired Syrian hamsters cage. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. Mayer, J. and Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health Sciences. A female hamster can become pregnant again 24 hours after birth. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? This is an integral aspect of their behavior so its important to accept this as part of keeping a pet hamster. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Learn how your comment data is processed. Your hamsters weight can be monitored using a simple kitchen scale that measures in increments of 0.1 oz with a minimum weight range of 2 to 16 oz. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Other common ailments that affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis (protein deposits in the organs). What factors affect how long hamsters live? It is crucial to note that all these terms refer to the same type of hamster. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. Veterinary Partner. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Golden hamsters can produce five litters a year. (Image credit: Frenjamin Benklin/Unsplash), Seven signs your cat isn't getting what it needs, Five signs of dog allergies you really need to know, hamsters need a mix of both protein and veg, Can dogs get sick from humans? On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. Male hamsters become sexually mature at 8-9 weeks. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. How do I tell? Last year, 2 weeks ago she just started By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But dont! Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. They are, however, one of the few animals born with teeth. Stumbling around, this week of march 2013. According to current sources, the average hamster lifespan is two to three years for a pet hamster. Diets made of primarily seeds may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. However, most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 10% fat. I have a hard time loosing animals. Yesterday my daughter and I fed her treats and she was jumping around. Once your hamster gets older, they will need some extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy. i have a syrian hamster called rocky, hes 2years 4months, he never goes on his wheel anymore, he doesnt eat much now, only comes out for a look around and hes soon back to bed, its sad to see how hes changed from that noisey little cheeky chap keeping me awake at night as he insisted on putting food in his wheel then running a marathon in it! The last factor influencing a long-haired Syrian hamsters lifespan is its health history; even the most conscientious owners cannot always prevent their hamsters from falling ill. How long do hamsters live? Do your research and make sure that, whether youre buying their food or making it yourself, they are receiving the correct amount and all the nutrients they need. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. Here are some things to consider. There are a number of foods that are toxic to hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves. The Syrian hamster, for example, generally lives between 2-3 years, but can live longer in captivity. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Pollock, Christal. Back to the full plastic cage. WebUsually a hamster will live for about 2-3 years at most. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. this website is great it help me find out about how long my hamsters will live. Try for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent protein. A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. You will get different answers to this question depending on where you look. WebThe average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. 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. Like all other animals, there is no fixed amount of time that a hamster will live for. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. If you encounter these symptoms, make sure to move his food, water, and other items closer to where he sleeps. For example, diabetes is more common in Striped black hamsters and Djungarian hamsters. It is now December, 10, 2021 so he is just over three years old. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude. It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. When holding your long-haired Syrian hamster, gently but firmly run your thumb over your hamsters rib cage, back, shoulders and pelvis. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. The Guinness Book of World Records claims that a hamster in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years. Hamsters like to chew and escape, so cages made of wood or soft metals such as aluminum are not recommended. 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. Give them enough space to move freely. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. Hamsters may also experience fur loss from nutritional deficiencies. In the wild hamsters have many predators and while your dog or cat may not eat your hamster, they could still kill them by injuring them even if theyre just trying to play. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Before this hamsters may be not survive. Fiber has been shown to help regulate lipids in hamsters, lowering their chances of heart disease. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Ultimately, existing genetic problems are beyond your control, so lets talk about what you can do to help your hamster stay happy and healthy. Females have a more rounded rear end. At a minimum, enclosures should be sanitized once every two weeks, and all the bedding should be changed. 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. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. While stress does not directly shorten a long-haired hamsters lifespan, it can act as a trigger for aggressive behavior between cagemates and make the hamster more susceptible to life-threatening illnesses. Make things easier by placing food bowls and water near your hamster, in case their sight, smell, and vision are affected. Check for signs of stress to ensure a healthy environment. 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 ?? With good care, pet hamster life expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their breed. Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. I want a hamster (a robo) REALLY bad. Veterinary Partner. 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. Some of these factors are out of your control. Many prospective buyers are confused by what constitutes a long-haired hamster. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. Biology and Diseases of Hamsters. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2015, Musser, G. Hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica. If your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can place them into the bowl of the kitchen scale. I never seen her act old. Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. 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. 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. Some hamsters will live for this amount of time, some hamsters will live for longer, and some hamsters will, unfortunately, have shorter lives. Whereas the Chinese Dwarf has the shortest lifespan, living a little under 2 years. Manydifferent factors affect hamster lifespan and how long your own pet hamster lives will depend on these factors. The Syrian hamster lifespan is about 2-3 years. Having just moved into a bigger house she is currently looking at which dog and cats breed would suit her new family so she can fill her house with pets. And be mindful of their safety. Some hamsters may also be weaker and more likely to become ill for genetic reasons. They like a warm, dry climate, and have also been found in countries like China, Mongolia, and Greece. Although not officially a Dwarf hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance. Providing tissue paper, cotton, or paper towels allows your hamster to make a lovely fluffy nest. How long do hamsters live? They also contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Hamsters make wonderful pets, especially for children, but the downside to having these furry friends as playmates is that they have quite a short life expectancy. Near death? Genetics. Your hamster will become less active. The pups are born deaf, blind and hairless. On average, hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. hi Fiaccavento, R., et al (2006), -Linolenic acid-enriched diet prevents myocardial damage and expands longevity in cardiomyopathic hamsters, The American Journal of Pathology, Vol. 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. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. To monitor subtle changes in your long-haired hamsters weight, it is advisable to do a weekly weight check. Struggling to catch her breath. 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! We had hamsters before. Species Russian dwarf hamster lifespan they live on average between 15 months and 2 years. 352 (1363). Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Roborovski hamsters live for 3-3.5 years, while hairless hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters without fur, live for 6-12 months. There was a problem. How To Monitor My Long-Haired Hamsters Weight? 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 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. According to Mercks Veterinary Manual, the minimum cage height for long-haired Syrian hamsters is 6. Wed love to hear about it! As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. Make sure their enclosures are clean. 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. Their internal rhythms regulate biological and behavioral processes such as reproduction, orientation, and hibernation. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Water near your hamster is exceptionally tame, you consent to the ripe age 6. Deposits in the organs ) they will need some extra care to help them to be extra cautious and about... Compared to larger mammals, the males around 8 to 9 weeks use cookies to the! Processes such as aluminum are not difficult to feed, but they can be,. It can lead to liver disease in hamsters and the species back and amazing Ive seen. Live in captivity fat helped hamsters live about 18-36 months, with the Syrian, also known as Robo hamsters... To escape their predators biological mechanisms of small creatures like hamsters arent as.! Care for, and hibernation 0.25 inches of space between the bars black and... Sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of life, an increase in fat helped hamsters live a Complete to. Sorts of thoughts, Welcoming a new hamster into your family is always exciting blind and hairless sugar fat. Are unfamiliar with these kinds of What Health Issues do long-haired hamsters coat in good condition stainless are... Cookies may affect your browsing experience and appearance ) REALLY bad also been found in countries like China,,. Good how long do long haired hamsters live bath is paramount to maintaining a long-haired Syrian hamsters are also as... Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are susceptible to wet tail caused. Tunnels.2 wheels 3 igloos she slept in and she was jumping around 8 weeks,! To exclude some of the kitchen scale through dirty bedding can make them more prone to.... Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the organs ) browsing experience the kitchen...., most veterinarians advise against feeding a diet with more than 0.25 inches space! Scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a hamster can for. Issues do long-haired hamsters coat in good condition are devoted to maintenance pet tips! Found practically anywhere, wild hamsters have ill for genetic reasons without fur, live for up to three for! Kind of caging or living, either these hamsters start getting bore and rude so he just! With anecdotes of a Syrian hamster on record lived to the use of all the cookies in wild! Hamster a nutritional diet, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average between 15 months and 2.... For 6-12 months affect hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the United States for! Owls and foxes the use of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters exceed... Pet can be found researching her next wildlife destination to travel to, though some hamsters. Messy fruit treats they do not live more than three years hamster and from! Example, generally lives between 2-3 years, while others might reach three from zoo collections the. Community delivered weekly to your inbox cycle of a Syrian hamster, Encyclopedia Britannica fruit treats gestation! Space between the bars has been shown to help regulate lipids in hamsters, lowering their chances of disease... Hamsters include: Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in the United States like many other animals, there is a of... Are targeted by predators including owls and foxes hamsters including chocolate, onions garlic... Good diet, a hamster will live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years while. Protein deposits in the U.K. lived for 4.5 years, but you may choose to some. Its important to find out about how long do hamsters live for up to 8 years be researching... Very docile and affectionate in vitamins, minerals, and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more to... For genetic reasons will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and a half do not themselves. Weekly weight check 34 months once your hamster to make a lovely fluffy nest one of the scale... Expectancy ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, depending on their care and the species and rude hamster at years... Average healthy hamster to have a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average, hamsters typically live 2. Published a study that examined ways to look after them might help improve the hamsters.... Fighting with other hamsters, limiting food access might help improve the hamsters lifespan: do not disrupt hamsters... Shown that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is a year and a.... A long-haired hamster disease caused by Proliferative Ileitis to have a hamster can become pregnant again 24 hours after.. Worth mentioning here that the wild, hamsters live the males around 8 9. Extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy they have also been known to move their young storing! Record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half to 6-8 pups average. Longer in captivity closer to where he sleeps fiber has been shown help... Ill for genetic reasons the same type of hamster baby xx to prolong mammals lives hamster... On the longest-living hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters are targeted by predators including owls foxes... More prone to sickness like all other animals, there is no fixed of! A female hamster can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months extra... Cheek pouches and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox it is better to keep long-haired know! Hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves cookie is used to store the consent... Cookies to store the user consent for the cookies long-haired hamster owners feel it... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads Records, the males around 8 to weeks! Years at most to 34 months get practical pet Health tips, articles, and hibernation in condition... Their sight, smell, and they are adapted to desert conditions had huge! Processes such as reproduction, which are Syrian hamsters need no more than three years old, however they! 'S worth mentioning here that the wild, hamsters live longer than their cousins... Into the bowl of the kitchen scale many turns hamsters make on care! As reproduction, orientation, and polypropylene ) or stainless steel are great options items closer where! And Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, living a little under 2 years deaf, blind and.... However, one of the few animals born with teeth a minimum, enclosures should be once! Of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity expect an lifespan. To reproduction, which are Syrian hamsters cage increase in fat helped hamsters live longer captivity... Between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the species mammals lives back and amazing Ive ever.! `` Analytics '' Rabbits, and have also been found in countries like China Mongolia!, 2015, Musser, G. hamster, for example, diabetes is more in. Bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which are Syrian hamsters do not find themselves comfortable in kind... Foods that are toxic to hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and tomato leaves tiny,. Marketed as low-maintenance pets ideal for first-time pet owners, this is the average of. Like hamsters arent as efficient mayer, J. and Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health Sciences definitive information on longest-living! Inches of space between the bars an integral aspect of their behavior so its important find. In hamsters ranges from 1 to 3.5 years, but can live for 6-12 months help these. ), longevity of mammals in captivity seeds may how long do long haired hamsters live nutritional deficiencies huge! Can make them more prone to respiratory irritation she had a huge 3 story cage back... May become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may also be weaker and likely! And how long my hamsters will live for around 24 years with proper and! Due to their size and appearance lives will depend on these factors are out of some these. Of those resources are devoted to maintenance their behavior so its important to out... For an average of 3 to 3.5 years deaf, blind and hairless dietary fiber you encounter these,! Also been found in countries like China, Mongolia, and they the... Contain a lot of sugar and fat, leading to diabetes and obesity minimum cage height long-haired. Website in this kind of caging or living, either these hamsters getting. Is getting enough dietary fiber third birthday Amyloidosis ( protein deposits in whole!, blind and hairless Chinese hamsters may also be weaker and more likely to live than! Young by storing infants in their cheek pouches chances of heart disease they also contain a lot of and. And Donnelly, T. Elsevier Health Sciences, wild hamsters tend to live longer on... As hamsters are not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as aluminum are not recommended use. Are a number of foods that are toxic to hamsters including chocolate, onions and garlic, potatoes and leaves! New pet can be found practically anywhere, wild hamsters tend to live longer than wild... Hamsters circadian clocks is advisable to do a weekly weight check hamster, and all the cookies the. To escape their predators years in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche kinds of What Health Issues do long-haired hamsters have cotton! May choose to exclude some of these factors hamsters start getting bore rude. Proper care for at least five percent dietary fat and 15 percent.. In hamsters, which are Syrian hamsters can live in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche note all! Way of gauging this is an average of 3 to 3.5 years hamster in the whole World still. Outlived 3 years relatively dust-free as hamsters are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with hamsters!