Hamster lifespan

Seems like a simple answer, right? Not all hamsters were created equal.

Published: 23 Jun Last Updated: 23 Jun The average lifespan of pet hamsters was 1. Hamsters are popular pets worldwide, often being the first pet that a child will own as their own. Despite this popularity, there has been very little research into the health issues of these beloved rodents kept as pets to date. Often purchased by parents as short-commitment pets, hamsters are brought to the vets less frequently than other companion animals such as cats and dogs. These factors have made it harder to get good data on their overall health until now.

Hamster lifespan

Hamsters are small, stocky rodents that can make excellent pets if given appropriate care and veterinary treatment. The average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around years, but they can live up to 5 years. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Syrian hamsters can have short or long hair known as the teddy bear variety. The Dwarf hamster is also a common pet variety. Hamster housing should provide at least a gallon cage, with at least square inches of solid not wire floor space, but bigger is always better. Wire cages, aquariums, and plastic habitats can be used as long as they provide a safe, escape-proof home for your hamster—hamsters are escape artists! Housing must be well-ventilated to allow fresh air; this prevents buildup of odor from urine, feces, and spoiled food. Hamsters, with few exceptions, should always be housed alone, as they can be fiercely territorial and cause a great deal of damage to each other through fighting. Preferred bedding materials include Carefresh , grass hay , and Yesterday's News.

From a list of the 20 most common disorders across all hamster species, the most common disorders were hamster lifespan tail" — diarrhoea or liquid discharge 7. Suckow, M.

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. Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1. Surprisingly wild hamsters can live for longer. The European hamster, for example, can live for up to 8 years. However they have a shorter average life expectancy than pet hamsters as their young are often killed by predators. Fortunately they have a very high reproduction rate, which helps them survive.

Like any small pet, hamsters do have a relatively short average life span. This may vary slightly by breed, genetics and general upbringing. Most hamsters are fairly short-lived, though there are some exceptions to this rule. To help your hamster live longer, there are some general pet care procedures you can follow to increase the chance that they will surpass their lifespan average. However, it is important to remember that hamsters are different than many other pets, due to the rate at which they age. Most hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. This is an average of all breeds, though some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. As an example of this, some sources state that a 2 year old hamster is equivalent to a human that is approximately 70 years old. Due to their rapid maturity, most hamsters will not usually exceed their average life expectancy by a large amount. Though nothing can prevent your hamster from aging, you may be able to increase the chances that they will be able to enjoy an improved life expectancy.

Hamster lifespan

By Eddie Chevrel. Updated on November 19, If you start to look into how long hamsters live, you will actually find a lot of conflicting answers. Some people claim that the average is closer to just one year, while others claim their hamsters live up to five or even six years. However, the average for most hamster breeds is somewhere between 2 and 3 years, with a couple of breeds having slightly longer lifespans. The breed with the longest average life span is the Roborovski Dwarf hamster, and the breed with the shortest is the Chinese dwarf.

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Do you suspect your dog has allergies? Providing tissue paper, cotton, or paper towels allows your hamster to make a lovely fluffy nest. Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters. It is advisable to speak to a vet before getting any pet, to make sure it is the right animal for all who will be responsible for it and to consider other species which may be a better fit for the owner or family. Always call your vet at the first sign of lethargy, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, sneezing, decreased appetite, behavior changes, or any other concerns. Some of the factors that you will need to know about include the following:. These are only averages, but you'll notice that the lifespan of a hamster is a lot lower than that of other pets. The oldest hamster in the Guinness Book of World Records made it to a stunning 4. Avoid anything too steep or convoluted. If you choose to adopt a pet hamster, it is important to remember that they will be relying on you for their care. Published: 23 Jun Last Updated: 23 Jun Solid connector tunnels also provide for environmental enrichment but should be cleaned weekly. Some will even become affectionate and enjoy this time with their owners. 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.

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Preparing for commitment The average lifespan for a hamster is 2. Related Posts. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. To avoid your hamster getting ill from germs or bacteria, clean their cage regularly. Hamsters love toys and utilize them to meet a variety of needs, from chewing, climbing, exploring, burrowing, and hiding. Yes No. The initial purchase of equipment and supplies is likely to include:. You have noticed that your dog suffers from allergies, and you are confused about what could be the source. You could have a Roborovski hamster that lives 1. Hamsters can be supplemented with additional fruits and vegetables, but these foods should not be the mainstay of their diet. Some of the hamster life expectancies that you may want to know about include the following:. There are varying factors that are going to affect how long your hamster will live. The Dwarf hamster is also a common pet variety. Bedding Preferred bedding materials include Carefresh , grass hay , and Yesterday's News. Average life expectancy per species.