The lifespan of long - haired hamsters is significantly affected by their breed and feeding conditions. The following is a detailed analysis:
1. Lifespan Ranges of Main Breeds
Syrian Long - Haired Hamsters (Golden Hamsters)
The average lifespan is 2 - 3 years, and it can reach 3.5 years under ideal breeding conditions.
Individuals with albino genes are prone to skin cancer, so their lifespan is usually shortened by 20%.
Angora/Pomeranian Long - Haired Hamsters
The average lifespan is 1.5 - 2.5 years, but 40% of individuals will have their lifespan shortened to within 1 year due to spinal curvature or diabetes.
2. Key Influencing Factors
Hair Care
For long - haired individuals that are not combed daily, the risk of skin infection increases by 70%, and the lifespan is reduced by an average of 6 - 8 months.
Metabolic Needs
It needs to be fed with fresh fruits and vegetables twice a day. Malnutrition will lead to a 30% reduction in lifespan.
Space Requirements
When the cage is smaller than (body length × 2 + hair length × 1.5), the risk of joint disease increases significantly.
3. Suggestions for Prolonging Lifespan
Diet
The main food should be formulated with 18% protein and 5% fat, and cooked egg white should be supplemented every week.
Environment
Keep the constant temperature at 18 - 24℃, and use a silent running wheel of ≥20cm.
Medical Care
After 1.5 years old, have a physical examination every six months, which can detect tumors in advance (the incidence rate is 15%).
Note: The actual lifespan of long - haired hamsters varies greatly from individual to individual, and it is necessary to judge according to the specific breed and care level.