How long do hamsters live? Expert tips for keeping your small pet healthy and happy

Hamsters are sometimes seen as beginner pets – a tiny gift to young kids to teach responsibility and test out if they’re ready for a larger dog or cat.

However, this mindset can be harmful if hamsters are seen as replaceable. Owners may not think their hamster is worth the routine vet visits they would give their cats and dogs, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, chief veterinarian at the Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital.

Here’s your guide to providing your pet hamster with the TLC it needs and deserves.

How long do hamsters live?

Hamsters generally live between one and a half to three years, according to the Humane Society, though the exact lifespan depends on species.

The most common causes of death for hamsters are respiratory or digestive system infections, cancer, organ dysfunction and metabolic disease, says Greenstein. If you notice any strange symptoms – diarrhea or sneezing, notably – take your hamster to the vet. This could be a sign of an infectious disease.

While many pet illnesses are out of your control as an owner, you can take steps to keep your hamster healthy and happy.

Hamsters are solitary, nocturnal creatures, Greenstein says. If you have multiple hamsters, house them separately in adequately sized enclosures with a wheel for exercise. Give them plenty of space to sleep during the day.

Hamsters can clean themselves, but it’s your job to clean their habitat. Here’s what you should put into practice, according to Petco:

• Daily: Replace soiled bedding with fresh bedding, clean food and water bowls

• Weekly: Replace all bedding

• Monthly: Move hamster to a safe location and wash entire enclosure and toys

What do hamsters eat?

Any old pet food won't do – hamsters need nutritionally balanced pellets designed for hamsters, just like kibble for dogs. Follow the recommended serving amounts for your hamster’s breed and age.

You can also supplement with seed mixes, but only on occasion. Hamsters are tricky and love to pick out their favorite bits, which could lead to a nutritional imbalance if it’s the majority of their diet, Greenstein says.

It’s also crucial to provide something to chew, like toys or hay. Hay can both file down teeth and provide fiber. Hamsters’ teeth never stop growing. If they seem overgrown, visit your vet, who can manually file them down, according to Greenstein.

Can hamsters eat grapes, strawberries or other human foods?

Some human foods are okay as an occasional treat. Spinach, for example, is fine in dime or quarter-sized portions, says Greenstein.

But others – like onion, garlic, rhubarb and tomato leaves – are toxic to hamsters (as well as dogs) and sugary human treats and snacks are unhealthy for them. Sticky foods like peanut butter can get stuck in their cheek pouches. And they dislike the taste of citrus.

Bottom line? It's best to stick to regular hamster food.

“I would urge hamster owners to be cautious in feeding human food in general,” Greenstein says. “While fruit isn’t harmful per se, it is relatively higher in sugar, which means it should only be offered occasionally (like 1-2 times a week) in small amounts.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long do hamsters live? Average lifespan of furry friends explained