Petsmart and Petco are popular options for sourcing live pocket rodents such as hamsters as well as their food, toys, and other supplies. It is no secret that hamsters live relatively short lifespans and for many of us, accurate information about our hamster’s age can be crucial.
How old are hamsters at Petsmart & Petco? Hamsters for sale at Petsmart and Petco are usually 4-8 weeks old. Sometimes, physically challenged hammies could reach 2-3 months old before somebody snaps them up since many shoppers reject disabled pets.
Speaking to an attendant at any of these stores can be a great way to estimate the age of a hamster you’re interested in picking up. Since the majority of these pocket pets are brought into the stores at about 4-5 weeks old, their arrival dates can be valuable.
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How Old Are Hamsters at Petsmart & Petco? How to Be Sure!
As previously stated, most live hamsters at pet stores are brought in between 4 and 5 weeks old. You can always find out how long a particular hammy has been available at your local store to estimate his age.
Some hamsters may remain unsold for long periods so you should always try to get a correct estimation of how long they’ve been in the store.
For instance, a hamster brought into your local store a week ago is likely to be 5-6 weeks old. Better still, asking when your local Petsmart or Petco will be receiving the next live hamster shipment can also be smart. Then you could pick one up as soon as they arrive with a better indication of its age.
Benefits of Knowing Your Hamster’s Age
A responsible hamster parent should know or at least have a good idea of the age of a hamster in his or her care. This can be helpful in several ways including:
1. Formulate Age-Appropriate Hamster Nutrition
The nutritional needs of a young hamster can be different from another at the tail end of its life. For instance, while hamsters under a year old usually require protein-rich diets to boost growth and overall well-being, such diets may not be the best for elderly hammies.
Excessive protein can cause diseases such as kidney and liver failure in older hamsters. The relatively weaker digestive organs of aging hammies can impede the ability to process protein and other food nutrients resulting in dire consequences for your hamster’s health.
For instance, old age can also make female Syrian hamsters prone to amyloidosis, a condition where protein produced in their bodies is deposited in organs such as the liver and kidney. The normal functionality of these organs becomes impossible as a result.
2. Choose the Right Tank Size
As a baby hamster grows, its body size is expected to reach certain levels depending on the type of breed and quality of feed. Often, physical growth peaks when hamsters reach adulthood (12 months). Unfortunately, old age and related health problems can lead to a decline in a hamster’s body size.
The larger a hamster gets physically, the more floor space it requires to move around freely and stay happy in its cage or tank. Knowing the age of your hamster can help you choose the right size of tank for its comfort.
3. Provide Age-Appropriate Healthcare
Like other animals, hamsters experience weaker immune systems as they age. This may result in numerous medical problems including blood clots, dental problems, stomach ulcers, and tumors.
Regular visits to the vet often become necessary with old age. This is especially true for dedicated hamster parents serious about providing the best health care. Being clueless about your hamster’s age can rob it of the veterinary attention required to stay healthy and happy.
4. Hamster Birthdays
How do you celebrate your beloved hamster’s birthday when you have no idea how old it is? Hamsters are adorable little pets that deserve to be celebrated and pampered as they reach each age milestone.
Birthdays can be a great way to pamper your amazing little buddy especially since its lifespan is so short. Hamsters live a maximum of 3 human years so a few birthday celebrations are possible before their time is up.
Birthday mornings can start off with giving your hammy a pampering bath and a few treats to make him feel loved. New toys can also be offered while spending some time together to strengthen your bond, and if you have kids, this may be another way to show them the significance of celebrating birthdays.
5. Preparing for The Inevitable
Hammies have a short lifespan compared to other pets such as cats and dogs. But, these little rodents can easily warm their way into your heart and leave a permanent mark. Sadly, all good things come to an end and at some point, you have to come to terms with the fact that your hamster is slipping away.
Knowing your hamster’s age can help you prepare for that day, especially when all sorts of health problems begin to pop up around the tail end of its life.
How Old is my Hamster?
There are several methods to know the age of your hamster especially if you’re tired of the vague answers pet store attendants give when you request age-related information. A few of the tried and tested ways include:
1. Order From a Reputable Local Breeder
Regardless of your current city, chances are there are a few small hamster breeders who put up baby hamsters for sale regularly. They can be your best bet to knowing the specific age of a hamster you intend to purchase and raise.
Unlike Petco, PetSmart, and other retail chains, small breeders often keep detailed records of each hamster available for sale. Answers to questions ranging from age to breed type and other genetics should not be a problem.
If any friends or family members have done business with a local breeder, you can seek a recommendation from them as well.
2. Order From An Online Breeder
An online breeder can also be a reliable option when seeking the exact age of a specific hamster you intend to raise. Most of these breeders provide detailed information about pets listed for sale.
A quick scan through their websites may help you uncover the different breeds of hamsters available as well as their ages and other biological information. This can help you make a suitable choice, especially when hunting for a hamster of a specific age range.
3. Observe Your Hamster Thoroughly
There are instances where you have to adopt a hamster from a pet charity such as ASPCA or Adopt A Pet. These pets are typically abandoned by other people when they’re found to be physically challenged or exhibiting signs of Down’s Syndrome.
Reliable information regarding the age and breed of hamsters put up for adoption may be scarce. Your best bet is to examine the adopted hamster thoroughly to guess its age especially if you have some experience in raising these amazing furballs. Here are a few steps that can serve as a guide:
- Determine the specific species of your hamster
- Keep an eye on its hair to determine what stage of life it may be
- Observe the hamster’s behavior especially physically activity levels
- Look for signs of sexual maturity
- Thorough veterinary examinations to uncover existing medical conditions
Conclusion
Hamsters available for sale at Petsmart and Petco are usually 4-8 weeks old. Since these rodents are kept until somebody orders them, finding out how long a specific hammy has been at your local shop can help provide a better estimate of its age.
Speaking to a Petco or Petsmart store attendant or store manager is the best way to know when a prospective hamster arrived at your local branch.
A small local breeder may be a better option for discovering accurate age information about a hamster. This can be helpful for birthday celebrations, choosing age-appropriate feed, and providing the right veterinary care at each stage of the hamster’s life.