Hamsters have a two- to three-year lifespan on average.
They’ll start to show many of the same indications of aging as their human owners as their frugal existences reach their peak.
Some signs that a pocket pet is approaching old age include thinning hair, less activity, lack of appetite, and visual issues.
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Is My Hamster Old?
It might be difficult to determine your hamster’s age.
Since hamsters age swiftly and have brief lifespans, the most you can do is speculate until he is close to the beginning or finish.
You may determine whether he is close to the start, middle, or finish of his stay with you by interpreting the signs that he is unusually young or particularly elderly.
Examine the Ears and Eyes
Although there are several hamster breeds, they all age in a similar fashion.
Your hamster is likely less than a week old if his ears are closed.
He is probably not more than two weeks old if his eyes haven’t opened yet.
If he still resides with his mother, keep an eye on his habits.
A hamster can begin eating solid foods after he or she is around a week old, although they can still nurse for up to a month.
Over Time, Keep an Eye on His Routines
He is probably nearing the end of his life if he is sluggish, no longer displays interest in rewards or exercise, or if his weight changes.
Observe His Fur
A hamster is regarded as middle-aged at the age of one.
He could have thinning hair in his middle age, which might continue to thin till his demise, like several two-legged middle-aged animals.
He is probably under a year old or very near to it if his hair seems to stay at a constant length. He crosses the hill just as it starts to thin out.
Signs of an Old Hamster
Your hamster will begin to slow down after just one year. Since these are relatively minor alterations, you might not first detect them.
Although it makes you sad to think that your fluffy ball of joy is aging, it’s important to be aware of the changes so you can assist them to adjust as they become older.
They’ll Stay In Bed a Little Later
This won’t occur unexpectedly.
They could decide to go to bed a bit earlier than normal, but they might still wake up at around the same time in the morning.
Your hamster may start to disappear over time as they start to sleep more.
Consuming Less Food or Becoming Pickier Eaters
Your hamster’s metabolism will slow down as it gets older, which will make them less hungry.
As they age, they may become pickier about what they eat; this is typical because softer foods are better for their teeth and they prefer them.
Many people decide to provide baby food to children who have entirely stopped eating, but this can result in additional problems like enlarged teeth, so you should still include chewing in their diet.
There Is Less Wheel-Spinning
Your hamster may continue to utilize its wheel as exercise as they mature, but they might not use it for very long.
Your hamster starts to move more slowly on its wheel as it ages.
Loss of Fur and a Lackluster Coat
Your hamster will gradually lose some of its vivid colors. On their back or belly, the fur may begin to thin and resemble bald spots.
Weight Loss
As they become older, your hamster will eat very little, which will make them appear skeletal and make them feel frail.
Their features could begin to appear skeletal.
Shaking
Walking may be a little unsteady for your hamster. Even when they are still, they may begin to appear to be trembling or vibrating.
Your hamster may become clumsy as a result of this.
The best course of action in this situation is to remove any potentially hazardous items from their cage, leaving just the basic minimum of toys and the necessary necessities, such as platforms and big toys that might cause them to fall and suffer injuries.
Slumped or Arched Back Position
Your hamster is probably going to get some arthritis in their back or get a bit stiff, which will make them slouch over when they get up.
If they find it difficult to stand up straight, you’ll notice since they won’t do it as frequently as they formerly did.
Unkempt and Scruffy Look
When your hamster gets older, it becomes a bit more challenging for them to reach the areas they used to groom, and occasionally they are just too worn out to do it.
Slowness and Lack of Enthusiasm for Toys
They’ll be moving considerably more slowly than they ever did.
The toys they used to enjoy playing with are no longer enjoyable for them or are utilized much less frequently.
An old hamster may only get out of bed to use the restroom, drink, and feed before going back to sleep.
Swollen Eyes
Their eyes may appear bigger or as if they may protrude due to weight loss, or they may appear dull and lose their sparkle.
Overgrown Teeth
Their teeth might easily become overgrown since they are consuming softer foods and aren’t chewing on their toys as much as they formerly did.
If you feel competent, you may either schedule a vet visit or cut them yourself. Every week, check their teeth for broken or overgrown teeth.
Aggression
Your hamster may exhibit aggressive behaviors like biting because of tight joints and arthritis.
They are merely attempting to defend themselves, hence this is a defense mechanism.
This could, however, also indicate that they are unwell or in discomfort.
Health Problems
A hamster’s immune system is less effective as they age, making them more susceptible to sickness.
Wet Tail is a deadly ailment that is quite common.
But hamsters can get a variety of diseases and infections as they age, so schedule an urgent visit with the veterinarian if you detect any unexpected changes or a drop in their health.
FAQs
How Old Is a Hamster at 6 Months Old in Human Years?
The age of a six-month-old hamster is 34.
A one-year-old pet hamster would be 58 human years old, whereas a two-year-old hamster would be 70 human years old.
Hamsters do not age proportionately.
When Should You Purchase a Hamster?
Purchase a hamster that is preferably 5–6 weeks old.
The hamster generally stops swallowing milk at four weeks and is taken away from its mother.
The hamster is then prepared to move to a new home after a week or two of becoming stronger, more inquisitive, self-assured, and playing with its siblings and sisters.
Give them some time to get used to the environment because they could be the first shy.
Final Thoughts
That was definitely a positive blog article, wasn’t it?
It may be my most depressing blog entry to date, but I felt it was vital to write it so you would at least know what to watch out for as your hamster ages.
This will allow you to support them as they approach the end of their life.
Even though hamsters have a brief lifespan, it’s crucial to cherish the happy experiences you have with your pet.
It’s likely that you offer your hamster good care and a decent quality of life if you’re reading this site.
Sadly, it isn’t often the case, and hamsters frequently suffer maltreatment.
So, when the sad time comes, simply keep in mind how carefully you raised your hamster and that it had a happy, fulfilling life full of affection.