Hamster Old Age


Hamsters are highly valued animals, especially by children, but unfortunately the average life of hamsters is very short, with a life expectancy not too long. They live longer and better in captivity, but it is not many years that we can enjoy our friends.

This article is designed to learn how to care for hamsters once they reach old age. With optimal care we will ensure that they prolong their life a little more than usual.

How to know that a hamster has entered old age?

The average life expectancy of a domestic hamster is around three years. The normal thing is that when we reach the middle of this time we begin to notice the signs of aging in our companion animals. At 18 months of age we could say that hamsters begin to be old.

There are certain details that quickly show us that our hamsters are in old age. The exercise you do on the wheel and the time you spend on it is one of the clearest, since we will see how little by little you are less on it. Our pet will spend more time sleeping and less time eating than usual.

Physically we can also notice some changes. For example, we will see how the fur turns grayish. We will also appreciate that your hair falls out more regularly. Your hunger and desire to eat will also go down.

Ways to slow down aging of hamster

For our part we can do some things that will help the hamster to be younger for longer, at least in spirit and physical activity. One of the methods that gives the best results is to help you maintain the usual moments of physical activity, constantly playing with it.

A hamster with less and less energy will no longer run away so much, so it is a good time to take it out of the cage for longer, more frequently and, above all, leave it total freedom to do whatever it wants. This will help you get more exercise than you would in the cage, keeping your mind younger and your body healthier.

With the passage of time we can also vary slightly the toys and accessories that are in the hamster cage. We can, for example, replace the exercise wheel for one more adapted to your age and physical condition.

Over time the hamster will gnaw and eat less, which will eventually cause dental problems, since they will not stop growing even in old age. In addition to being necessary to adapt the hamster’s diet so that it continues to ingest all the necessary nutrients with a healthy and balanced diet, we will have to go to the vet regularly to take care of its teeth, since as we say, the hamster will not be able to do it by itself .