My hamster was a Russian Dwarf, and she died at 3 years old. Is this normal or was she younger or older than normal? She had no health problems, except she had a back leg amputated when she was a baby. (She was climbing on her wire cage, fell, and nearly tore off her leg and crushed all the blood vessels in that leg, which stopped her from bleeding to death.) She was never bred, and only had very brief contact with other hamsters. Thanks!
2007-05-08 19:45:24 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
She had a good long life. My wife's Russian dwarf died at the age of two and a half. She was very old and frail by then, and had probably had a mild stroke in the last few months. Currently I have a Roborovski hamster who's about that age (his brother sadly had to be put down last summer after he suffered severe paralysis following a stroke), and a Syrian who's about two. They're both happy and healthy animals, though the Syrian is noticeably slower and less athletic than she used to be.
It sounds from your question as if you're worried you did something wrong and hastened her death. Rest assured you certainly did not, and she lived to the older end of the normal lifespan for a pet dwarf hamster. You sound like a great pet owner.
2007-05-09 01:46:29 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hamster lived a little bit above the average life span of a russian dwarf which is between 1-2 years, where as the larger syrian breed can sometimes live up to 3.
So give yourself reassurance that she lived to a ripe old oge, and was very much loved and cared for by the sounds of things.
2007-05-09 02:54:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hamster lived a very long and healthy life despite her injury. Russian Dwarfs normally live 2 to 3 years. Since yours died at 3 years that is not only normal but is very good since it was on the longer side of things. You must have kept very good care of her.
2007-05-10 10:39:14 · answer #3 · answered by snipsofscraps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is normal for hamsters to live about three years.
However, there is evidence to suggest that occassional breeding will lengthen the life of the animal. The "very brief contact" would only be a concern if the other animals could potentially be ill. Hamsters, most rodents, are fairly social, and thrive with regular interaction.
You are actually lucky to have had it live that long. Many hamsters die at about one year because Cancer is rampant with small rodents, as there is no breeding/treatment enforcements on them.
2007-05-09 02:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by yp_bri_vancouver 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters, especially Campbell's and Winter White Dwarfs only live 2-3 years depending on care. Many people actually think they live for four months (I say those people are dumb and didn't care properly for their hamster).
You hamster lived a good long life. It is perfectly normal.
2007-05-09 02:52:15 · answer #5 · answered by Syren 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're very fortune that it lived 3 years! I think she lived a lot! Mine only made it to 1year 9 months (but were syrian hamsters) and had another syrian that lived 1yr 2 months - but had tumour :( - so I would say that yours lived a very good life and lived more I think because dwarf hamsters tend to have a life span of 2 years
2007-05-12 04:51:43 · answer #6 · answered by Hamster-Club.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well in general hammies live between 3-5 years, 5 being really rather old. Rodents in general are not known for having super long life spans, so I would sy your hammie lived a full life.
2007-05-09 02:52:45 · answer #7 · answered by *♥* ♥* FaeGoddess*♥*♥* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 is a ripe old hamster age
2 is usually considered old
well done for keeping her so long
2007-05-09 05:21:26 · answer #8 · answered by ~*tigger*~ ** 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hamsters only live up to a year
2007-05-09 02:53:26 · answer #9 · answered by blake_shelton_fan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
older than usual you were lucky.
2007-05-09 14:32:32 · answer #10 · answered by beachy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋