Tiny, adorable, and easy to care for, Hamsters are one of the smallest and cutest pets. Due to their bubbly nature and exotic looks, they’re loved by people all around the world. Are you also planning to adopt a hamster? You should consider and think about many things before getting any pet, such as their lifestyle, diet, health, and one of the most important factors, their lifespan! Let’s see how long do hamsters live.
Have you ever thought about: how long do hamsters live? All pets, including hamsters, live a limited time period (unfortunately!). That’s why it’s important to know how much your pet is going to live so that you can plan everything and take care of them.
In this blog, we’ll explore the hamster lifespan, factors affecting their health, and how you can take care of your hamster baby. So, let’s start with their average lifespan and life cycle.
Average Lifespan & Life Cycle of Hamsters
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Many hamster owners aren’t aware of the average lifespan and living conditions in which a hamster should live. Because of this, many people, including children, get surprised the moment they find their favorite pet lifeless.
They can’t figure out what went wrong and how their beloved pet died. That’s why it is important to know the average lifespan and environment in which a hamster should live.
On average, a pet hamster will live for around 2 to 3 years at most.
Yes, it is true that these pretty animals have a short period of life. The hamster’s lifespan is actually one of the shortest lifespans among domestic animals. No matter how good you take care of your hamster, on average, the life expectancy of a hamster does not exceed 30 months. However, this can also depend upon the specific breed of the hamsters. As some hamster breeds can live upto four years.
You’ll be surprised to know that the longest-lived hamster breed is the Roborovski Dwarf, who lived up to four years! Whereas the shortest is the Chinese Dwarf who lives only under two years.
As the life period of a hamster is short, its development is also completed in a very short time. Don’t get surprised when your vet tells you that your two-month-old hamster can reproduce. Yes, all hamster breeds can give birth from two and a half months or 6-8 weeks of age, and at the end of the year, they reach their old age period.
According to the vet, hamster aging period and health depends on many factors, including its living environment, health, and food. Fortunately, there are many ways by which you can keep your hamster healthy and happy. Let’s know what those factors are.
Factors Affecting Hamster Lifespan Of Hamsters
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As we already told you, hamsters generally live about two to three years. However, numerous factors affect the average life of your hamster. So, what factors affect how long hamsters live?
Some of them, like breed, genetics, illness, are not in your control, but you can provide a good environment and living conditions for your hamster, right. So, it’s important to know about all the elements that play a vital role in your hamster’s lifespan.
Here are some of the factors that affect how long a hamster will live are:
- Species
- Genetics
- Diet
- Exercise
- Illness
- Living environment
- Quality of care
Lifespan For Different Hamster Species
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You may be thinking that a pet hamster will live longer as they’re getting a better environment and safe from any kind of danger. But that’s not true! The wild hamsters actually live for many years, which is little more than the pet hamsters living in captivity.
You’ll be surprised to know a European hamster known as Cricetus cricetus can live for up to 8 years! The stature of this hamster is around double the size of a Syrian hamster. That’s why it is said that the smaller the hamster, the shorter its lifespan! So the question is, how long do hamsters live depending on their species? Keep on reading to know the lifespan of various types of hamsters.
How Long Do Syrian Hamsters Live?
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Syrian Hamsters are also known as Mesocricetus auratus or golden hamster. It is one of the most popular hamster species in the world. This cute, docile hamster measures between 12.5 and 17.5 cm ( 5-7 inches), and it usually lives between 2 and 3 years.
How Long Do Dwarf Hamsters Live?
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The Phodopus sungorus, also known as Djungarian, Russian winter white dwarf, or Siberian hamster, is half the size of a Syrian hamster. These little fellows are around 3 inches, and on average, they live between 18 months-2 years in captivity.
How Long Do Chinese Dwarf Hamsters Live?
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The Chinese hamster or Cricetulus griseus is also one of the top hamster species, which is extremely popular in homes worldwide. These hamsters look like mice and usually live from 2 to 3 years.
How Long Do Robo Hamsters Live?
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The Roborovski hamster, also known as Phodopus roborovski, is one of the smallest hamsters in the world. These hamsters are small but always filled with a lot of energy. They can live up to 3 years in good living conditions.
Also Read: Basic points regarding guinea pig vs hamster
5 Ways To Improve Your Hamster’s Lifespan
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Every pet owner wants their pet to live as long as possible. However, we can’t do anything about the lifespan of hamsters, but we can at least improve it. Below are some ways from which you can extend the lifespan of your hamster:
- Feed your hamster healthy foods and treats.
- Provide a stress-free and quiet living environment.
- Give them enough space to move and play freely.
- Encourage them to exercise on a regular basis.
- Keep your hamster cage or space clean and hygienic.
- Keep an eye on your hamster’s health and visit a veterinarian from time to time.
If you follow the above tips and take great care of your hamster, your pet will always be healthy and happy.
Final Words: How Long do Hamsters Live?
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Like any other pet, hamsters (unfortunately) are also mortal. However, in comparison to other animals, hamsters have a short lifespan. The answer to the question of how long do hamsters live actually depends on many factors. Being alert to all the changes and knowing deeply about their health and behavior will help you to keep your baby hamster happy and healthy.
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Make sure to provide a secure and quiet environment and visit the vet to check the daily health routine of your hamster. There is nothing you can do about their age and lifecycle, so it’s best to enjoy every moment that you have with your beloved hamster. Whenever you plan to adopt or include a hamster in your family, we highly recommend doing a lot of research and getting all the necessary information about their breed.
So this is all about How long do Hamsters Live. If you like reading this blog about the lifespan of hamsters, do share it with your friends and family and let them know how cute and adorable hamsters are.
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