Like any small pet, hamsters do have an 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.
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.
19 Responses to “Hamster Lifespan”
I miss my little guy, but he lived a good life and was very aware of us being around him in his last days. He gave us signs he knew the end was near and let us know he was okay, then he took two deep breaths, then let go. The next hampster we get will somehow be related as they all are, so I see it as an extension of the last one. This is the only way to accept the grief if we want to continue enjoying hamsters as pets.
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to say that it can be hard to get over your hampster “going on”. I just want to say it happends to all and it is good that he showed you signs. He knew his time was near. Do you know what caused his death? Sometimes I can tell you the cases and reasons do to what you said. I hope your new hapster will live a happy life like your other one. How old was he? Did you change his cage alot? If not you try to do it once a week. My little sister has one like me and she says she changes it’s cage once a month. So when she does not I get stuck with it. She is not responisble enough! She is 7!
Zach you dad should clean out its cage at least once a week
Hi,
I would recommend that you only give your hamster a little bit of fruit as part of a balanced diet I would recommend small pieces of fruit like carrot and apples but not to much as this can upset your pets stomach and you can buy things for your hamster to chew on like nawing sticks this helps prevent there theeth from overgrowth as hamsters teeth never stop growing but hamster will chew on and wooden toys you put on there cage
I just bought a white short haired hamster, is there any facts I should know about the care for my new pet?!
Thanks!
I have a 3 year old panda hamster but my dad doesn’t clean cage often. And he’s always shaky I don’t know I he’s gonna die soon or not it worrys me
The temperature of your room may be too cold, try putting him in a warmer room and see if that helps.
Zach, don’t worry. most hamster shake a lot. but if it is moving back and fourth alot,like side to side, i would b worried cuz thats what my hamster did the night it died… see a vet.
I have a question: I have a 4-year-old fancy hamster and, well, to be blunt, he’s not doing well. I’m trying to clean his cage more often and make sure he’s always got plenty of fresh food/water, see to it that his wheel works, the basics. But he’s getting skinnier and losing fur. His eyes seem a little red around the edges. Could my babyboy be sick?!
Dear Brianna,
Your hamster is very elderly – he will probably die within the next couple of months if not sooner. I hope I don’t sound cruel. I’ve had several different types of hamsters and what you describe is exactly what happened to them. The best thing you can do is handle him gently and tenderly only when he’s awake w/o you waking him up. Everything else you’re doing is great. I’ve had a few that I was able to hold while they were dying to comfort them.
The signs you have described seems like your hamster is entering elderly/old age. Just keep an eye on your hamster and try hand feeding him, if he totally refuses food then get a vet involved.
I AM NO EXPERT!
i would reccommend checking with your vet, just to be safe.
Hi!
I was wondering…I have a Golden hamster that is 1.5 years old and her cage is getting harder to maintain clean by the week, and starts to smell after the first day after cleaning…. Any suggestions?
get fresh smelling cleanser and spray some in the bottom of the cage and with a paper towel rub it in and then put the beding in
I reccomend that when you clean the cage, you should use it with hamster freindly disinfectant, this should get rid of the old smells.
You can also try putting a Hamster Potty in the Cage as if it is the waste that is smelling, you can just through the litter away when it gets soiled instead of having to change the bedding so often.
You could even try taking apart bits of the cage and putting it in boiling water as this is a method people used to get rid of bacteria and this may help, just make sure its completely dry before you put your hamster back in because if your hamster gets wet and cold, it will become ill.
These are just my suggestions, hope it helped.
Emma
Hi,
I have few questons about my hamster.
What are the idle cage dimensons for a short haired hamster,and what are the best vegetable and fruits? I just bought a short-haierd hamster and I bought this comprest paper beding in purple color ( Carefresh0. It is safe if the humster chews on it? What is the best things for chewing? Can I give him just a aspen stick?
yes,thats alright for chewing.just dont give him pine(aspen,too!) shavings or sticks,that isnt healthy for the lungs of your hamster.you can use paper rolls that you can find in toilet rolls but there are some foods that include chewing sticks made of wood.hope info given is useful
!!
My hamsters alywas stick there nose through the cage, I think it’s adorable. The hamster is more likely smelling around than trying to escape.Also, my one hamster only does this when it’s asking to be taken out and played with.Biting the bars is also fine because it will help wear down it’s teeth.Don’t try and stop it from this embrace the cuteness of it!
I use recycled paper stuff from petsmart and look on the package and see if the die is all natural
Hiya, I only have robo hamsters so i can only reply to part of the question, sorry but i do not want to give out false imformation.
Carefresh is safe for your hamster to chew on as all it is is paper, mixed with water to make a sort of paper mache, then they add food colouring (its non toxic tho), search it on youtube for tutorials!
It is fine for your hamsters, companies would never make anything that could harm your hamster in anyway.
Oh, and the best cages for your hamsters are wired cages as they provide good air ventilation for your hamster. I reccomend the imac fantasy, you can buy separate extensions to make your cage as big as you desire. Check out Ebay.