The Life Span of a Hamster

How long does it take a hamster to grow up?


Hamsters mature quickly, reaching puberty at eight weeks (humans take about 15 years). They can produce babies in just 18 days--compare that with the nine months humans need. The average life span for a hamster is about two years, so, unfortunately, they aren't around for a long time.

To make sure your hamster is happy and healthy, supply him with toys (a toilet paper roll, a matchbox without the matches or an exercise wheel) and sleeping quarters. A cage should be big enough to allow at least 20 square inches per hamster. Keep their cages clean, avoid stressing them out (handle them gently and respect their rest time) and feed them a good-quality rodent food with a snack of sunflower seeds. Don't overfeed them--hamsters need only about 5 grams of food a day. Keep water fresh and easily in reach.

Keep in mind that a hamster will bite if startled, so handle yours with care. It's also important to know that they are nocturnal in nature, so most likely they will be more active at night--if that bothers you, don't put the cage in your bedroom.

FUN FACT
Want to know how long other pets live? A guinea pig's life span is 7 to 10 years, a dog lives 8 to 15 years, a cat will be around for 15 to 20 years, a goldfish can hold out for 10 to 20 years, a snake will die after 25 to 50 years and the big winner in the longevity game is the box turtle--he can live for up to 100 years!

Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.