People often want to know how long their dwarf hamster pet will live. The answer to this question is not straightforward, as there are a number of factors that can influence the lifespan of a dwarf hamster. In general, however, these rodents typically have a very short lifespan.
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What are Dwarf Hamsters?
It is agreed that there are between 18 and 20 different hamster species in the wild. The majority of these are native to Asia but there are also some found in parts of Europe and even Syria.
Just five species are kept as pets though:
The Syrian hamster
also known as the golden or teddy bear hamster. They are the largest of the pet hamsters, can weight between 100 and 300g!, growing up to 13cm long, sometimes more.
The Chinese hamster
which is slightly smaller than the Syrian, at around 18cm. They have a longer tail in proportion to their body than the other species, which helps them to climb, they have a longer and skinny body.
There is a debate to decide if they are part of the Dwarf Species or not.
The Dwarf hamsters:
- The Roborovski Dwarf hamster.
They are the smallest hamsters, are extremely fast. Since they have been living in captivity the least amount of time, since the 1970s, other species are easier to tame than them.
- The Winter White hamster (also called Djungarian)
- The Campbell's Dwarf hamster
these 2 species are sometimes referred to as "Russian Dwarf". They are extremely similar, and the only hamster species that can interbreed and create hybrids. They weight around 30 to 60g,
What is the Average Life Expectancy of a Dwarf Hamster?
The Life Cycle of a Hamster
Hamsters are born blind and deaf without any fur. Their fur starts to grow when they are 5 days old. Around two weeks after they are born, babies start to open their eyes. Baby hamsters tend to remain with their mothers until they are 21 to 28 days old.
Hamsters typically reach sexual maturity around 4-6 weeks old. The average gestation period is 20-22 days. Hamsters are no longer able to breed when they reach 14 months.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of a hamster in the wild is about 2 to 3 years. However, in captivity with proper care, they can live an average of 1.5 years to 3 years. Once a hamster reach a year and a half, he is considered elderly.
Do Dwarf Hamster Live as long as Syrian Hamsters?
No, Dwarf hamsters do not live as long as Syrian hamsters. The average life expectancy of a Dwarf hamster is 1.5 to 2 years while the average life expectancy of a Syrian hamster is 2 to 3 years. However, with proper care, both types of hamsters can live up to 3 years in captivity.
What Factors can Reduce the Life Expectancy of a Dwarf hamster?
Hamster can die of Old Age
Unfortunately, these little animals are not built to last. A wild hamster lifespan is only about 2-3 years. In captivity, with the best of care, a hamster might live 18 months to 3 years. So, even if everything goes right for your hamster, old age will probably claim him eventually and too early.
You can only give them the best life you possibly can and enjoy their company while you have it.
You cannot do anything about their age, but there are factors which can reduce their life expectancy that you can be mindful of:
A Poor or Inadequate Diet
A Healthy Hamster diet is actually quite complicated. It needs to be composed of around 18-22% protein, 4-7% fat, and 8-15% fiber. The ingredients must be of good quality and properly balanced, or your hamster's health will suffer. The animals need to be offered a decent variety, and be given regular small portions of fresh fruits and vegetables.
A chubby hamster is an unhealthy hamster.
Just like with humans, being overweight is unhealthy for dwarf hamsters. Not only does it put strain on their skeleton and muscle system, but it also predisposes them to a number of illnesses, including diabetes and fatty liver disease. To make sure your hamster stays at a healthy weight, always ask your vet for guidance on how much to feed him, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.
Dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in dwarf hamsters, and it can lead to a number of serious health problems. The good news is that it can be controlled with proper diet and care. If you think your hamster may be diabetic, take him to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up.
Sadly, there is a trend from some breeder to feed high calorie food to make bigger hamster, and then breed these obese hamsters. A chunky hamster is not necessarily healthy.
Illness or Health Issues
One of the most important thing is to only adopt a pet from an ethical breeder. Sadly mill breeding is still a reality, and these animals are often kept in deplorable conditions which make them more prone to illnesses. There are no concerns about health issues, inbreeding, resulting in poor hamsters with a shorter lifespan, and issues like brachycephaly or hydrocephaly.
Common illnesses and health issues for hamsters include:
Wet Tail, UTI (urinary tract infection), Constipation, Respiratory Problems, Glaucoma, Cancer.
Regular check for their teeth, eyes, mouth, ears, the fur, their cheeks and pouch, checking for injuries or lumps.
Do not try to self-treat your pet. We cannot stress more the importance of visiting an exotic Veterinary Practice for any concern.
Stress
Stress and a bad quality of life can significantly reduce your hamster lifespan . Avoid handling them too much, loud noises, and anything else that might make them anxious.
Provide them with a suitable enclosure, they must have a large enough cage to thrive, plenty of enrichment and boredom breakers
Accidents and Injuries
Hamsters are fearless little explorers , and they love to play but have a very poor eyesight. Unfortunately, this means that they are also prone to accidents. Hamsters can fall off of high places, get stuck in small spaces, or be hurt by rough handling. Always supervise your hamster when he is out of his cage, and make sure his play area is safe. Do not force them in a hamster ball, which are dangerous and completely unsuitable for these little animals.
Hamsters are also solitary animals. Forcing them to share their cage with one (or more) hamster will result in fights, often deadly. Baby hamsters need to be separated from their mum and siblings as soon as possible from 21 to 28 days to avoid being killed.
Air Temperatures
Too Much Heat
Hamsters might come from warm countries, but they dig deep burrows where they are protected from the heat of the day. In the wild, they would avoid the hot surface by spending most of their time underground.
Too much heat can kill a hamster. Hamsters are very sensitive to temperature changes and can die of heat stroke quite easily. The ideal temperature for a hamster is around 21-24 degrees Celsius (70-75 degrees Fahrenheit). If the temperature goes above this, make sure to place the enclosure in the coolest part of your house, away from the sun. Also make sure to provide your hamster with plenty of fresh water and a way to cool down. Placing mugs in the fridge before putting them in the enclosure can help, or you can buy a cooling mat specifically designed for small animals.
Do not place fans directly on the hamster cage.
Too Cold
Sadly a cold temperature can and will kill a hamster. Hamsters do not hibernate! Their body are not design to store enough to allow them to survive weeks or months hibernating.
Instead, hey can fall into a torpor, which is usually fatal. They need to be warmed up on you immediately and very gently.
You must ensure the enclosure is away from any draft, and you can use reptile mats around (but not inside) the cage to keep them warm. Add as much bedding as possible too.
To summarise,
Hamsters are adorable little creatures that can make great pets, but it is important to remember that they require a lot of care. Some of the things you need to be aware of include common illnesses and health issues, how to handle them safely, providing an appropriate environment with the right temperatures, and ensuring they have enough toys and activities to keep them amused. Most importantly, only adopt a hamster from an ethical breeder.