HOW LONG DO HAMSTERS LIVE?

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. It’s 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. Also, a hamster’s lifespan is also largely affected by the care and nutrition that they receive during their captive life.

HAMSTER MATURITY

Hamsters have such a short lifespan because they tend to reach their “full” maturity much quicker than most other animals. 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.

INCREASING YOUR HAMSTER’S LIFE EXPECTANCY

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. Here are some general tips that may positively affect your hamster’s lifespan.

LARGER CAGE SIZE
As a general rule, a hamster in a smaller cage will have a higher stress level than if they were housed in a larger cage. Be sure that your hamster has enough room to run comfortably in their cage.

QUALITY NUTRITION
Your hamster’s diet does have lasting effects on their average lifespan. Be sure that you supplement your hamster’s dry food mix with fresh fruits, vegetables and other treats.

EXERCISE
Just like in humans, exercise has beneficial effects for hamsters as well. You may help increase your hamster’s activity level by purchasing an exercise wheel, or by taking them out of their cage for extended periods of playtime. There are also many enclosed exercise balls which allow your hamster to “explore” your home from the safety of an enclosed plastic sphere.

WET TAIL
This health condition is caused by a bacterial organism that infiltrates a hamster’s digestive system. In this illness, the most common symptom will be a “wet” appearance of the fur around a hamster’s tail, which is where this condition gets its name. A hamster with wet tail has a low chance of survival, since they often become extremely dehydrated by the constant diarrhea associated with wet tail. Hydration is essential for hamsters with wet tail, and there are also many wet tail supplements available at pet care supply stores.

EAR INFECTION
If your hamster develops an ear infection, the best treatment usually involves the direct administration of antibiotics. However, as with most other illnesses that affect hamsters, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before beginning treatment.

RINGWORM
Ringworm is extremely contagious, especially if you have several hamsters housed in the same cage. Quarantine any hamsters infected with ringworm as soon as possible, and watch for signs of infection in your other hamsters. The main symptom is a circular “ring” of missing fur which will be easily visible. To treat ringworm, it’s best if you consult your veterinarian.

ABSCESSES
To treat an abscess, antibiotics are usually very effective. An abscess is caused when a wound becomes infected, and is sealed without proper drainage of the infected material. Do not attempt to drain an abscess on your hamster by yourself! This may result in further infection, as well as extreme discomfort for your hamster.

CONSTIPATION
Just like humans, hamsters can also suffer from constipation. The most common cause of constipation in hamsters is dehydration, in combination with a dry pellet diet. To help cure constipation, be sure that your hamster has a constant supply of fresh water. In addition to this, you can feed your hamster fresh fruits and vegetables with a high moisture and fiber content, which may help cure constipation.

MANGE
Though mange is usually not very common in hamsters, it still may occur in hamsters that have been taken from unclean living conditions. Mange is caused by a mite that usually lives in a hamster’s bedding material. If you hamster comes down with mange, put them in quarantine immediately.

TREATS TO AVOID

There are some foods and treat items which may not be healthy for your hamster. Feeding your hamster unhealthy or dangerous food items can put their health at risk, and may even induce an allergic reaction. In general, avoid any food items that contain a high amount of sugar. Sugar can cause digestive problems, obesity and diabetes in hamsters when fed in excessive amounts. Other foods to avoid feeding your hamster are: onions, garlic, chocolate, buttercups, raw kidney beans, toffee and any type of candy.

COMMERCIAL TREATS

There are many commercial treat products available that you can purchase for your hamster. However, it’s important to be careful what you buy. Some commercial hamster treats are low-nutrition, high-sugar and may actually be detrimental to your hamster’s health. Steer clear of any hamster treats that include high fructose corn syrup, or that include chemical coloring and flavoring.

HOMEMADE TREATS

If you have a bit of extra time, you can actually make homemade treats for your hamster right in your kitchen! The recipe doesn’t have to be specific, and you can even make your own formulas. Include high-nutrient grains, tasty fruit and nuts to make a treat that your hamster will love.

FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

As a treat, you may give your hamster fresh fruit and vegetables on a regular basis. However, as with any treat, it’s important not to overfeed your hamster. Even though fresh fruits and vegetables are very nutritious, they should not be given in excess. If you feed your hamster a high-fiber fruit as a large part of their diet, this may cause your hamster’s stools to become loose. Balance your hamster’s diet with other treats in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables.

NUTS AND SEEDS

Nuts are rich in protein, fiber and many amino acids. There are many nuts that are safe to feed hamsters. This includes sweet chestnuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, beechnuts, shelled almonds, peanuts, cashews and brazil nuts. You may also feed your hamster a variety of seeds, though many hamster diet mixes also include seed ingredients. Though hamsters love sunflower seeds, over-consumption may cause obesity, so be sure to keep this in mind.

HAMSTER HEALTH CONDITIONS

Hamsters can develop several potentially serious health conditions, some of which can be easily cured if caught in their early stages. Always pay attention to any changes in your hamster’s behavior, as this could be your only way of knowing that your hamster is sick. A common symptom of many health conditions in hamsters is a lack of interest in food. This could be a symptom of many different conditions, and should be a sign that you need to pay close attention to your hamster’s health.

PREVENTIVE CARE

CAGE CLEANING
Caring for your hamster’s health involves making the commitment to clean their cage on a regular basis. Most hamsters will require their cage to be cleaned at least once per week, including a complete replacement of their bedding. This can help prevent the growth of bacteria, and will help to keep your hamster healthy.

NUTRITION
Just like in any other animal, proper nutrition is one of the contributing factors to good health. Make sure that your hamster’s diet includes a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds in addition to their dry food mix.

LOW-STRESS ENVIRONMENT
To help your hamster remain healthy, it’s important that you promote a low-stress environment. This can be accomplished by purchasing a cage with a large amount of space, as many hamsters will become agitated in smaller cages. In addition to this, make sure that your hamster has a variety of interactive objects in their cage to keep them entertained. If you wish, you can also take your hamster out of their cage each day for some interactive playtime.

VETERINARY VISITS
To keep your hamster healthy, be sure to schedule regular veterinary checkups. There are many veterinarians that specifically have qualifications for caring for small rodents. Be sure that you take your hamster to a veterinarian with a high level of experience. If you have pet insurance, it’s important to check to make sure that regular veterinary checkups are covered under your plan.

HIDEOUT

A hamster hideout is a small enclosed cubby where your hamster can sleep, relax and feel safe from the outside world. A hamster’s nesting instinct is what gives them the desire to sleep in an enclosed space. There are many different hamster hideouts available, though choosing one is usually a matter of preference. Be sure that your hamster’s hideout is non-toxic, as many hamsters will chew on the edges of their hideout.

CHEWING TOYS

Giving chewing toys to your hamster is a great way to keep their teeth healthy. A hamster’s teeth may become overgrown if a hamster is not provided with adequate chewing toys. Be sure that the chewing toys you choose for your hamster are free from artificial colors and chemical dyes. Wooden chewing toys are usually both inexpensive and effective for fulfilling your hamster’s chewing instincts.

TREATS

Hamsters, just like any other animal, love to occasionally be given small treats. You may purchase commercial treats at a pet care supply store, or you can even make your own treats at home. Be sure that your hamster’s treats are not high in sugar or high fructose corn syrup. High-sugar treats can cause health conditions in many hamsters.

EXERCISE BALL

To allow your hamster to exercise while outside of their cage, you can purchase an exercise ball. Be sure that the exercise ball that you choose is well-ventilated, without containing any openings large enough for your hamster’s feet to escape outside of the ball.

EXERCISE WHEEL

An exercise wheel is an important part of any hamster habitat, since it allows your hamster to exercise without leaving their cage. Be sure to purchase an exercise wheel that is an appropriate size for the type of hamster you plan to be keeping. A metal wheel is usually best, since it will be durable and resistant to lingering odors. However, you may use a plastic wheel, as long as it is made of non-toxic material.

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A SHORT HAIRED HAMSTER?

In general, it really comes down to a matter of preference. There are no significant behavioral differences between short-haired and long-haired hamsters, even though some hamster owners might think otherwise. Though long-haired hamsters do require a bit of extra care, this does mean that keeping a short-haired hamster involves less responsibility. No matter what type of hamster you choose, you are making a commitment to provide the best possible care for your hamster’s needs.

COAT CARE

Short-haired hamsters usually do not require regular grooming, though it can still be beneficial for your short-haired hamster to be groomed at least once per week. This can help to remove dead hair, excess skin and other materials from your hamster’s coat. You may give your hamster a bath, though most hamsters prefer a sand bath to a water bath. You can use the same sand that chinchillas use for bathing, which can be purchased at most pet supply stores.

BEDDING

For short-haired hamsters, your choices of bedding are fairly versatile. However, it’s still highly recommended that you choose a non-toxic bedding that does not contain any potentially harmful substances. In addition to this, you may want to choose a bedding material that is highly absorbent, or that helps to control odor. A short-haired hamster’s cage should be cleaned at least once per week, and may begin to develop a pungent odor over time if you use a low-quality bedding.

NUTRITION

For short-haired hamsters, a varied diet is essential for good health. In addition to your hamster’s dietary mix, be sure to include fresh fruits and vegetables. This will help ensure that your hamster is receiving proper nutrition. If you choose to feed your hamster commercial treats, be sure that they are free from high-sugar ingredients. Sugar can be dangerous to a hamster’s health, especially if it is highly processed. Other foods to avoid feeding your hamster include onions, chocolate, garlic and foods that are high in saturated fats.

SEED MIXES

Seed mixes, also sometimes referred to as “dry mixes” are usually a colorful combination of grains, seeds, treats and dried produce. They may contain additional vitamins, which are either sprayed as a coating on the formula, or included as baked treats. Seed mix formulas are usually what most hamster owners choose to feed their hamster, since they have the most visual appeal. However, as mentioned before, some companies may use colored dye to artificially enhance the appearance of their formula. Another problem with seed mixes is that a hamster can “pick” out their favorite bits of the formula, while leaving the rest of the food behind. This may sometimes lead to a nutritional imbalance.

PELLETED FOOD

Pelleted hamster food formulas are also popular for many hamster owners. In general, a pelleted hamster food formula will offer a balanced source of nutrition with easily digestible ingredients. These ingredients have been combined, compressed and presented in a “pellet” form. Many veterinarians recommend pelleted diets, since they tend to have better results in providing optimum nutrition for hamsters. However, it’s also true that not every hamster will eat a pelleted diet. Some hamsters may be turned off by the uniform appearance of the pellets, or won’t be able to make the connection of the pellets being a food source.

FRESH FOODS

No matter what type of hamster food formula you choose, it’s always highly recommended to supplement your hamster’s diet with fresh ingredients. Nuts, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables can easily be fed to most hamsters. In addition to this, you can also make homemade “treats” for your hamster from fresh ingredients in your home. This can be used to help increase your hamster’s overall level of nutrition.

HABITAT

The first item that you will purchase for your hamster will be a habitat. This will be your hamster’s home, and should be chosen carefully. Even though a larger hamster habitat can be slightly more expensive than a smaller cage, it can help prevent health and behavioral problems. You may want to consider purchasing a larger habitat for your hamster. The cost of hamster habitats varies, and can range from approximately $18 (for small cages) to over $100 (for more “deluxe” habitats).

CHEW TOYS

Hamsters need to chew in order to maintain good dental health. To keep your hamster happy, be sure to purchase small chew toys for your hamster’s cage. These are usually made of wood or a hard, edible material. Luckily, chew toys for hamsters are fairly inexpensive. The general price range for hamster chew toys is from $3 – $10.

BEDDING

Hamster bedding is most likely one of the larger expenses you will encounter on a regular basis. Since your hamster’s cage needs to be cleaned at least once per week, you will be replacing their bedding frequently. Be sure to choose a bedding that is free from chemical dyes, chemical coloring and excessive dust. In general, the cost of hamster bedding can range from around $6 – $20, depending on the type of bedding you choose to use.

FOOD

Just like any other animal, a hamster requires a diverse diet in order to stay healthy. Hamster food mixes are available at most pet care supply stores, usually for a fairly affordable price. However, it is important to choose a food mix that has different types of grains. Some hamster mixes only include one type of grain, or do not contain a variety of ingredients.  No matter which type of food mix you choose, you will also need to supplement your hamster’s diet with fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. In general, the cost of hamster food mix ranges from $5 to $15.

COLOR

One of the main differences between Dwarf Hamsters and the more widespread Syrian Hamster is color. Syrian hamsters are available in a wide variety of colors, which may also include a number of markings, tones, variations and other features. The Dwarf Hamster, on the other hand, does not generally display this level of variety, as far as color. It is a generally accepted fact that Dwarf Hamsters are not usually seen in as many color variations as some other species of hamsters.

BEHAVIOR

Another difference between Dwarf Hamsters and many other hamster species is their behavior. As a general rule, hamsters are seen as being fairly independent pets. This means that many hamsters are able to exist comfortably with only a minimum amount of human interaction, especially if housed in a cage with at least one other hamster. Dwarf Hamsters, on the other hand, are generally thought to be much more sociable. It’s not clear if this has anything to do with their size, though some say it is a trait that has been present for many breeding generations.

SPECIES TYPES

Some people believe that “Dwarf Hamster” simply refers to a hamster that is of small size. In reality, Dwarf Hamsters are of the genus “Phodopus”, in the hamster family of “Cricetidae”. There are three species that are generally classified as being Dwarf Hamsters:

Phodopus sungorus – This type of hamster is most commonly known as the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster.

Phodopus roborovskii – This type of hamster is commonly referred to as Roborovski’s Dwarf Hamster, or Roborovski’s Desert Dwarf Hamster.

Phodopus campbelli – This hamster is generally called by the name Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster.

LIFESPAN

It’s not very well known among many pet owners that dwarf hamsters have a slightly shorter lifespan than most other species of hamsters. In fact, a Dwarf Hamster will generally not live longer than 2 years, with most Dwarf Hamsters living an average of 1.5 years.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

There are many different names for teddy bear hamsters, which is one of the reasons that many people encounter confusion about this type of hamsters. A teddy bear hamster may also be referred to as a Syrian hamster, a long-haired hamster, an angora hamster, a long-haired Syrian hamster, or sometimes even as a “fancy” hamster (though some pet stores may use this term for short-haired hamsters as well).

GENDER COAT DIFFERENCES

Both male and female teddy bear hamsters have a long, soft coat of fur that is characteristic of their variety. However, the male teddy bear hamster grows a slightly longer “skirt” of fur that extends around the back portion of their body, above the hips. This is  sometimes referred to as being the classic look for a teddy bear hamster. However, females are not necessarily without a unique coat type. Some female teddy bear hamsters will grown tufts of fur that extend from the shoulders, or may grow a small skirt of fur slightly shorter than that of male teddy bear hamsters.

SIZE

Teddy bear hamsters can grow to be up to five inches in length, though this is slightly influenced by diet, genetics and the size of their cage. However, due to their fluffy coat of fur, a teddy bear hamster does appear to be slightly larger than average. In the hamster family, the teddy bear hamster is referred to be the second-largest species.

GROOMING

Due to the length of their fur, a teddy bear hamster may require a bit of extra care when grooming. To prevent the coat of your teddy bear hamster from becoming matted, be sure to use a gentle brush to work out any tangles. In addition to this, be sure to choose a bedding material that will not easily be caught in a teddy bear hamster’s fur.

HEALTH ISSUES

Just like other hamsters, teddy bear hamsters have a fairly short lifespan, usually from 2 to 3 years. The main health problem that teddy bear hamsters encounter is loose stools, or diarrhea. This can be a dangerous condition for any hamster, and may even be a symptom of “wet tail”. Wet tail is a dangerous health condition, usually proving fatal without prompt treatment.