How long do hamsters live for

Seems like a simple answer, right? Not all hamsters were created equal. The life expectancy may differ from species to species.

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. 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.

How long do hamsters live for

Hamsters can make great family pets—as long as you keep a few things in mind. At birth, they are blind and deaf with no fur. At five days, they start to grow fur. At two weeks, they open their eyes. Generally, hamsters stay with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old. Hamsters reach sexual maturity at approximately weeks of age. Ideally, they should not be bred until they are at least weeks of age or weigh between grams. Gestation periods are quite short, at days. By about 14 months of age, hamsters are no longer able to breed. On average, hamsters live about months, with the Syrian hamster breed more likely to live longer than dwarf varieties. Any hamster that is a year and a half old is considered elderly. Like many other animals, domesticated hamsters live longer than their wild cousins. In the wild, hamsters are targeted by predators including owls and foxes. Their lifespans are also affected by environmental conditions and fighting with other hamsters.

The temperature and humidity of their cage is also key. Most pet hamsters only tend to live between 1.

Are you looking into getting a hamster as a pet? If so, there are various things that you should know about the hamster that you are going to own. One of the things that many people want to know when they decide that it is time for them to get a pet is this - how long will my pet live? Learning more about the average life of a hamster is a good idea before you bring one into your family. If you choose to adopt a pet hamster, it is important to remember that they will be relying on you for their care. It is helpful to know how long you will need to care for them and have the responsibility of caring for them. Just like all other types of animals, it is important to know that there is not just one length of time that hamsters will stay alive.

Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Amanda Charles. Click to Skip Ahead. When you think of long-lived animals, you think of the huge ones like blue whales and elephants. On the flip side, small, furry critters like hamsters have much shorter lifespans.

How long do hamsters live for

Usually a hamster will live for about years at most. This is the average lifespan, and there are many examples that have outlived 3 years, or never reached a year. The average lifespan varies for each hamster breed. The longest lived hamster breed is the Roborovski Dwarf up to 4 years , while the shortest is the Chinese Dwarf a little under 2 years. Of course, there are hamsters who can outlive the average, like cases of Syrian hammies living for years in captivity. Still, there are some very crucial factors influencing how long and even how well your hamster friend is going to live. Some of them you can control, some are out of your hands. So keep in mind that the inherited traits — like breed , genetics, illness — will outweigh the elements you can control. Otherwise he might have lived a much shorter life. When you go to the pet store and see all the available hammies, you will probably have to choose between a Syrian and a Dwarf type.

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Some of these tips include the following: Encourage your hamster to exercise regularly daily is best Feed your hamster healthy foods and treats follow all nutritional needs Make sure your hamster has a clean and healthy environment Keep an eye for illnesses in your hamster if you notice any issues, take care of things efficiently and quickly Just take great care of your hamster give them attention, feed them right, play with them, and keep an eye out on their health If you follow these tips, you can do everything in your control to help your hamster to live the longest life possible. Overgrown teeth: Syrian hamsters can suffer from overgrown teeth that may have to be clipped by a veterinary surgeon. The spacious Ferplast Duna Fun cage Exercise wheel : Hamsters are full of energy and can run up to 9 miles in a day, so a wheel is essential to keep them happy. While there is no exact lifespan for a hamster, they will usually live for years. Hamsters also need plenty of space to move around. There are many factors that affect the life expectancy of any animal, even with hamsters. Factors That Affects the Lifespan of Hamsters There are numerous factors that are going to affect the average life of a hamster. For some it may only be a week or so, others may be a little more sensitive and take a few weeks. What to feed hamsters. 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.

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

In addition, it can sometimes be confusing to unders By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept All Cookies," you agree to the storing of first- and third-party cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. By the way, did I see my dog scratch today, or was that yesterday? Pollock, Christal. Hamsters do not like loud noises so try to create a quiet, peaceful space for them. Lifespan for Different Hamster Species Above, you have read about various ways to help your hamster live the longest life possible. If the tubes are attached to the walls, make sure they are secure so your hamster does not suffer a fall and injure themselves. Hamsters enjoy exploring and use their whiskers to help them sense objects in their environment. There are different hamster breeds that have varying life expectancies. Many people are nervous when handling hamsters due to the fear of being bitten.