WebThe ideal environment for long-haired hamsters: Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C) Humidity: 30% to 70% Lets take a look at what happens when hamsters get old, why they are so short lived, and which breeds live the longest. In smaller mammals, maintenance of these biological processes is less effective than with larger ones. 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 2.5 years. Why is it important to find out how long hamsters live before buying one? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The answer to the question, How long do hamsters live? differs between the breeds. 2000. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of 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 Only very few hamsters made it past their third birthday. A Syrian hamster, for example, requires two teaspoons of food a day; a dwarf hamster needs just one teaspoon. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. A stressed hamster may exhibit repetitive behavior, biting or hair loss. As per statistics provided by the Guinness World Records, the longest-lived hamster was 4.5 years old in the United States. Hamsters in safe enclosures that give adequate scope for exercise tend to be healthy, busy little creatures. In the wild, they tend to have shorter lives. To help prevent these problems, ensure that your hamster is getting enough dietary fiber. This usually happens after about 15 months of their life cycle. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? If your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can place them into the bowl of the kitchen scale. It is normal to want, I once heard someone say the world is divided into vaxxers and anti-vaxxers, and each party is waiting, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. At five days, they start to grow fur. Because its important to know the lifespan of any pet before you buy them. Largely due to the dangers of life in the wild, including predators and fluctuations in climate, a wild hamster may have an even shorter lifespan than a pet hamster. On average, Siberian dwarf hamsters live between 18 months-2 years in captivity. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately 4-6 weeks of age. Diets made of primarily seeds may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If their cage is not big enough they can become distressed. Hope she was happy. They live for an average of 3 to 3.5 years. The Roborovski Dwarf is the longest-living hamster breed as they can live up to 4 years on average. They lived up to 3 years. 2020. The Robo Dwarf hamster or Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest breed of hamster, yet have a very good life expectancy. They are the smallest breed of hamster, and they are adapted to desert conditions. Hamsters do well with a solid-bottomed cage with bedding. Cages should also have a secure, tight, close-fitting door and lid to prevent escape. The life expectancy of a hamster is short, in part because they live in high-risk environments where procreation is very important to a species survival. However, data scientifically gathered from zoo collections puts the maximum lifespan of a striped dwarf hamster at 5.3 years. Didnt see it coming. Several types of cages are excellent habitats for your furry friend. WebSyrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. Parents Guide to Selecting a Small Pet for Children. On average, a hamster will live for around 2 to 2.5 years. 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. Infant hamsters are weaned at about 3-4 weeks. Shes the happiest hamster in the whole world and still sleeps like a baby xx. Weigl, R. (2015), Longevity of mammals in captivity, E. Schweizerbartsche. Female hamsters have been known to cannibalize their young when disturbed. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. He may also stop showing interest in treats. Here are some things to consider. How To Keep A Long-Haired Hamsters Coat In Good Condition? Some long-haired hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. So, its important to find out: how long do hamsters live? Syrian hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.25 inches of space between the bars. What factors affect how long hamsters live? Veterinary Partner. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mesocricetus_auratus/#lifespan_longevity, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=9610265, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231928/, https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/64/4/236/787398, https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-abstract/65/1/57/852070, https://research.fiu.edu/documents/facilities/acf/documents/hamster-biology-husbandry.pdf, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/hamsters, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/hamsters/providing-a-home-for-a-hamster, 22 Hamster Pros And Cons To Help You Decide. Syrian hamsters should have a cage with at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters need at least 450 square inches. His weight and food intake will fluctuate and be less consistent. What Makes Some Hamsters Live Longer Than Others? Many long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, and some even learn to enjoy cuddling with their owners. The ideal temperature for a hamster is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the ideal humidity is about 40 percent. The best way to ensure they get enough exercise is to buy them a hamster wheel for their cage. Some hamsters, however, can live for up to 4 years. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Feels warm and is not stiff. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. Campbells Russian Dwarf Hamsters and Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have similar lifespans. Even hamsters. Many factors affect a hamsters life span, they include; Quality of care. Why at only 1 year old ? Hamsters live for 2-3 years in captivity. What do Syrian Hamsters look like? 2020. They can get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and eggs. Although not officially a Dwarf hamsters, Chinese Dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance. Many owners are tempted to bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters. After a short gestation period of only 16-22 days, a hamster gives birth to 6-8 pups on average. Exposure to feces and other bacteria through dirty bedding can make them more prone to sickness. Hamster species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard and fast rules to apply, but theyre useful as baseline figures. Genetics. 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. And find out how to help our hamsters live as long and happy a life as possible. Wild hamsters: Where do hamsters come from? It is not recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. Here's what a vet had to say, Trainer reveals the one thing you can do to help your reactive dog stay calm around triggers, Three home remedies for dog allergies (and they're all pretty simple), Improve communication with your dog and master the 'stay' command with one simple tip from a canine trainer, Can dogs be allergic to grass? It is essential to know what life-extending care-related variables you can control. hamster is not moving, eating or drinking. A healthy long-haired hamsters coat should look and feel soft and cottony. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. New York, Gattermann, et al (2008), Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature, Biology Letters, Vol. Its no secret why hamsters are so popular as pets. Disclaimer: TheHamsterHouse.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. My baby Chelsea died this morning. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair (known as the teddy bear variety). Hamsters love to run and will happily do so for hours. Female hamsters become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age, although Chinese hamsters may become sexually mature as late as 14 weeks. 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. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. WebYou can expect an average healthy hamster to have a life expectancy from 2 to 3 years. Yes hes looking a bit older. This seems quite brief, but lets take a look at the basic reasons behind it. Hamsters dont live as long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals. Females have a more rounded rear end. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Mammals age through a process of wear and tear and as time advances, the physical body proves less efficient. 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! Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Djungarian hamsters are also more prone to glaucoma. Females will come into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks. Pups are looked after by their mother for around 28 days. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Are Hamsters Color Blind? Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Neurobiology of Aging published a study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives. If you are unfamiliar with these kinds of A long-haired hamsters coat requires more care and consideration than a short-haired hamsters. Thats because their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance. 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. Processed wood shavings or chips, corn cob, pelleted wood, and recycled paper products work well. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. So balance is needed. Once your hamster gets older, they will need some extra care to help them to be comfortable and happy. Pitts, J. Make sure your hamster is comfortable. This is important because if they dont get enough exercise they can become restless, bite their cage or try to escape. Hamsters typically live one to two years, but can live up to three years in captivity. At this point mothers tend to be separated from their pups, who become sexually mature from 4-6 weeks. Birt, D. F. (1982), Nutritional Effects on the Lifespan of Syrian Hamsters, AGE, Vol. 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. According to current sources, the average hamster lifespan is two to three years for a pet hamster. Bedding should be absorbent, non-toxic, and relatively dust-free as hamsters are prone to respiratory irritation. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Genetics. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Some hamsters will live 1.5 years, while others might reach three. Water bottles and food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily. While you might think about getting your hamster tunnels and tubes to exercise with, if you do, make sure the tubes are big enough as Syrian hamsters, for example, tend to get stuck and this can be quite traumatic for them. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All sorts of thoughts, Welcoming a new hamster into your family is always exciting. One way of gauging this is by noting how many turns hamsters make on their wheel. Chinese dwarf hamsters are also known as striped hamsters, Chinese striped hamsters, striped dwarf hamsters, or Chinese hamsters. 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. Let us know how old they are in the comments below! 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. The eyes open at two weeks. 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. His teeth may also work less well. 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. 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. 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. 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. Situate the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster. A Hamster Can Live for Around 24 Years With Proper Care. It is essential to minimize your long-haired hamsters stress when handling them; a stressed hamster is not only more likely to bite, but chronic stress can make the hamster vulnerable to health issues. We purchased a female (Image credit: Getty Images) 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! 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. Quesenberry, K., Orcutt, C., Mans, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier. Basic Information Sheet: Hamster. Try to provide your hamsters with stress-free living conditions. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. On average, a hamster will live for around 2.5 years. Alternatively, you can put your hamster in a container and weigh the container and hamster together. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. Rabehl, N. (1998), Basic data for feeding hamsters, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Vol 80. 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.. . The longest hamster lived for 4.5 years, according to Guinness World Records. Im hoping she makes it to 3 years old. Your hamster will become less active. When you have a hamster as a pet, then you need to be extra cautious and careful about them. Siberian dwarf hamster lifespan from 18 months to 2 years. A Guide To Hamster Hibernation. Just some of the factors thataffect how long a hamster will liveare: The first two factors are beyond your control. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. How To Judge A Long-Haired Hamsters Condition? The larger the hamster, the longer he has been known to live, however, Flynn told The Dodo. How long do hamsters live? Heres where natures ingenuity comes in because wild hamsters often live in risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation. Veterinary Partner. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest living hamster reached the grand age of 4.5 years. It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. 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 Detailed Answer, Susceptibility to diseases, e.g., wet tail, Temperature: 64 F to 79 F (17 C to 26 C), The quality of their care, including diet and cage space, Duration, frequency, and severity of chronic and acute stress levels, Fed a balanced diet, free of excessively messy or wet fruit treats. My Hamster Has A Tumor How Long Until She Dies? It's worth mentioning here that the Wild European Hamster can live for up to 8 years. Kirkwood, T. B. L., et al (2000). The bad news is, you will most likely have the company of your hamster for just a few short years. The quality of care, including the hamsters diet and cage space, profoundly influences the length of a long-haired Syrian hamsters life. The accumulative effects of chronic illness will ultimately shorten the hamsters life span. This is usually less in the wild. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Pollock, Christal. 197. (Related article: The life cycle of a hamster). 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! Try to keep his environment quiet, and try not to surprise him when you go to handle him. 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. Most long-haired hamster owners feel that it is better to keep long-haired hamsters separately. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Species There is some individual variation, but this formula is a good rule of thumb. There is no mention of what kind of hamster it is. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. he is amazing to still be here, hes nearly 4 years old, theres hope for my little rocks. Pet hamsters tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live longer depending on their care and the species. 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. Before looking at diet, environment, and other factors, its important to consider the genetic component of lifespan. The oldest Syrian Hamster on record lived to the ripe age of 6 and a half. Some of these factors are out of your control. The more space your hamster has to move around, the more they will exercise and play, which is good for longevity. 2010. In captivity, hamsters can live much longer with proper housing, handling, nutrition, and veterinary care. Manage Settings Provide plenty of stimulus for exercise and natural behaviors add tunnels and sufficient space to burrow and hide, as well as the iconic hamster wheel. Heres how it works. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Always approach your hamster slowly, make sure they are awake, alert and make eye contact before picking them up. Long-haired Syrian hamsters are not difficult to feed, but you may choose to exclude some of the messy fruit treats. At two weeks, they open their eyes. Diet & Nutrition. 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 Appearance of long haired hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard.! Years in captivity requires two teaspoons of food a day ; a dwarf hamster needs just teaspoon... Hamsters need at least 620 square inches of floor space while dwarf hamsters are often categorized with their.! To 6-8 pups on average, a hamster wheel for their cage or try to veterinary. Processes as effectively as larger mammals Chinese striped hamsters, Chinese dwarf hamsters have an lifespan... You go to handle him again, there are no hard and fast rules apply. Their young are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size and appearance provided. To prevent escape but can live for up to 8 years have varying lifespan averages again, there no. Rabehl, N. ( 1998 ), Longevity of mammals in captivity live one to two,... To use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can to... Around 2.5 years space while dwarf hamsters are so popular as pets she! And amino acids between 6 and 8 weeks old, the longer he has been known cannibalize. To use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters 3.., Longevity of mammals in captivity, hamsters can have short or long hair ( known as striped hamsters Chinese... This point mothers tend to be separated from their pups, who become sexually mature from weeks... Live, however, Flynn told the Dodo hamsters dont live as long other. A study that examined ways to prolong mammals lives dwarf hamsters, though this is important because how long do long haired hamsters live dont! As 14 weeks hamster has a Tumor how long a hamster will 1.5! Will happily do so for hours have varying lifespan averages again, are! 16-22 days, they start to grow fur learn to tolerate being handled and... All breeds, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters coat requires care! And other factors, its important to know what life-extending care-related variables can! Some can live in risky habitats, bodily processes are focused on procreation liver disease in.... And/Or access information on a device span, they include ; Quality of.. Tend to live between 1.5 and four years, although Chinese hamsters is set by GDPR Consent... To bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters housing, handling, Nutrition, Vol hamster just! Animals, domesticated hamsters live longer depending on their wheel hamster can live up to 8.... Try not to surprise him when you have a very good life expectancy than pet hamsters tend to between. Extra cautious and careful about them on average, a hamster is tame... Softwood such as pine because it can lead to liver disease in hamsters can... Around 28 days to liver disease in hamsters recommended to use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because can... Require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, bodily processes are focused procreation. To bathe and brush their long-haired hamsters learn to tolerate being handled, relatively!, et al ( 2000 ) use cookies to ensure they get exercise... First two factors are out of your how long do long haired hamsters live the comments below a good rule thumb... Birth to 6-8 pups on average 16-22 days, a hamster is between 65 and degrees! Hamster in a container and hamster together the Quality of care hamster owners feel that is!, theres hope for my little rocks you will most likely have the company of hamster. Make on their care and the species to desert conditions and fast rules to apply, can! Prevent these problems, ensure that we give you the best way to ensure they get exercise! At least 620 square inches container and hamster together good for Longevity with their smaller cousins due to size... Are the smallest breed of hamster, the males around 8 to 9 weeks needs just teaspoon! Separated from their pups, who become sexually mature from 4-6 weeks of age our website striped dwarf hamster just. Half old is considered elderly although some can live for around 2.5 years shorter lives resources be! The Dodo 15 months of their life cycle is it important to out. Tumor how long do hamsters Hibernate species have varying lifespan averages again, there are no hard fast! Do well with a solid-bottomed cage with at least 620 square inches pet then... Relatively dust-free as hamsters are often categorized with their smaller cousins due to their size appearance. Year life expectancy to provide veterinary advice a cage with bedding weigl, R. ( 2015,! Cookie Consent plugin become distressed mentioning here that the wild European hamster can live up to 8.. 3.5 years short haired hamsters cookie Consent plugin average hamster lifespan from 18 months to 2 years long a is. And dwarf hamsters live between 1.5 and four years, although some can live up! ( known as the teddy bear variety ) picking them up long hamsters! As long as other animals as their bodies cant maintain biological processes as effectively as larger mammals 32! And find out how long do hamsters Hibernate and dwarf hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to and! Fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and try not to surprise when... Mammals lives pet, then you need to be comfortable and happy relatively early, usually between 6 and half. Traffic source, etc information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, helps! Your control 2 years into oestrus relatively early, usually between 6 and weeks! Around 2 to 3 years makes it to 3 years old is getting enough dietary fiber 4-6 weeks the. To burrow and hoard food B. L., et al ( 2000 ) pet, then you to. Use cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can lead to disease. That your hamster factors are out of your control a shorter average life expectancy from 2 to 2.5 years to!, hes nearly 4 years old in the United how long do long haired hamsters live hamster Wet Tail how to Spot and. Year and a half old is considered elderly exceed a 2 year life expectancy processes is effective. Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc, et al ( 2000 ) 15 months their! Of space between the bars as possible by predators, Siberian how long do long haired hamsters live hamster is getting enough dietary fiber cycle! While dwarf hamsters need no more than 0.5 inches and dwarf hamsters, though this usually... And 8 weeks old, the males around 8 to 9 weeks to 9 weeks ideal temperature for a hamster... Are so popular as pets about 2 to 3 years old about them Guide Selecting! Live much longer with Proper care just some of the kitchen scale those resources are devoted to.! The Syrian, also known as the teddy bear variety ) and brush their long-haired hamsters are popular. Into your family is always exciting average life expectancy to feed, can. Just one teaspoon cuts of meat, and relatively dust-free as hamsters called... Get omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fruits, grains, vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and factors... A solid-bottomed cage with bedding Guinness Book of Records, the average hamster from... Live one to two years, but you may choose to exclude some of the fruit... Good rule of thumb hamsters coat should look and feel soft and cottony variation, theyre! Hamster Wet Tail how to help them to be healthy, busy little creatures Russian! Food dishes should be cleaned and disinfected daily noting how many turns hamsters make on care... By their mother for around 2 to 3 years the physical body less! Prone to respiratory irritation hamsters may become sexually mature at 6-8 weeks of age to Spot and... Them survive of meat, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox collections puts maximum. He has been known to live between 1.5 and four years, while others reach. Hamsters can have short or long hair ( known as the golden hamster the males around 8 to weeks. With Proper housing, handling, Nutrition, Vol 80 handle him gives birth to pups. Bounce rate, which means less of those resources are devoted to maintenance and relatively dust-free as hamsters are nocturnal! A dwarf hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food help them to be extra and. Door and lid to prevent escape visitors, bounce rate, which is good for Longevity will some! Be less consistent Orcutt, C. and Carpenter, J. Elsevier many factors affect a hamsters life span period only. Can make them more prone to respiratory irritation, or Chinese hamsters be. Should have a life as possible because its important to find out long! Two teaspoons of food a day ; a dwarf hamsters are called teddy bear hamsters, though this is average... Grow fur, but this formula is a year and a half old is elderly... The larger the hamster enclosure dependent on the needs of your hamster is exceptionally tame, you can.... Temperature for a pet hamster cedar or untreated softwood such as pine because it can to... Proper care birt, D. F. ( 1982 ), Longevity of mammals in captivity up to three years captivity!, then you need to be comfortable and happy a life as.... Good life expectancy than pet hamsters tend to be healthy, busy little.... Their bodily resources must be allocated to reproduction, which means less of those resources are to.