Curious about how long your hamster might live? Understanding the average lifespan of hamsters can help you give them the best care possible. From Syrian to Dwarf hamsters, lifespans can vary slightly depending on species, health and even their environment. Whether you’re wondering how long hamsters live in the wild or how to spot signs of old age in your hamster, this guide covers everything you need to know about hamster longevity.
The average lifespan of a hamster can vary from 1.5 years to 3 years, and in some cases even older. Campbell’s, Winter Whites (and hybrids of the two), tend to have a slightly shorter life expectancy than Syrian, Chinese and Roborovski hamsters. However, just like with people, their life expectancy can be dependent on a number of things:
Get all of this right and your hamster could be living up to 3 years old.
Due to various factors, the lifespan of wild hamsters can be shorter than our pet hamsters. Predators, food and resource availability, and environment conditions can all affect how long wild hamsters live for. It is not known for certain how long the different species of wild hamsters live for, as they have not been studied for prolonged periods of time in their natural habitats. But it is believed that they lifespan can be anywhere from a few months right up to a couple of years.
Hamsters are generally healthy pets. Often most illness comes with old age or poor care. Being a prey species, hamsters are very good at hiding any signs of illness until they are suffering, so it’s important to health check them regularly.
The most common health problems in hamsters are mites and parasites, as they can be brought in with bedding. Younger hamsters can sometimes get wet tail – this is a bacterial infection that can occur if they are exposed to stress and/or have been kept in dirty conditions. Tumours are also quite common, particularly in older hamsters. Having a hamster-savvy vet on hand can also help with getting them seen and treated quickly. To find out more about common diseases and health issues, see our guide on hamster health and what to look out for.
You can expect your hamster to start showing signs of slowing down and becoming older by around 1 year for Campbell’s, Winter Whites and the hybrids, and 18 months to 2 years for the other species. As your hamster reaches their senior years, you may begin noticing some changes in their overall health and appearance:
*symmetrical hair loss can be one of the symptoms of Cushing’s disease. If you are concerned, speak to your hamster savvy vet for further advice.
For more tips and guidance, visit our expert hamster advice page.
Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetables. Feeding your hamster an appropriate diet with good quality ingredients will provide the essential nutrients they need to thrive.
Read more about 'What to feed your hamster'
Hamsters are generally healthy animals and can live up to age of three. Until then, there are a few things to look out for when it comes to their health to ensure they live a fulfilling life.
Read more about 'Your hamsters’ health: what to look out for' Create the best environment for your hamster
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