How we turn pet years into human years
Small pets live on very different clocks: a hamster is old at 2, while a parrot can outlive its owner. So instead of one multiplier, the calculator uses two points for each species: the age it becomes an adult (about 15 in human terms) and the middle of its normal lifespan (about 80 in human terms). Ages in between are spread evenly.
After: human age = 15 + 65 × (age − maturity) ÷ (typical lifespan − maturity)
It is a simple, honest comparison. It does not measure your pet's health: a well-kept rabbit of 9 can be fitter than a neglected one of 5.
Pet lifespans
| Animal | Typical lifespan | Adult at about |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | 8-12 years | 6 months |
| Guinea pig | 5-7 years | 3 months |
| Hamster, Syrian | 2-3 years | 2 months |
| Hamster, dwarf | 1.5-3 years | 2 months |
| Rat | 2-3 years | 2 months |
| Mouse | 1.5-2.5 years | 1 months |
| Gerbil | 3-4 years | 3 months |
| Ferret | 6-10 years | 7 months |
| Chinchilla | 10-20 years | 8 months |
| Hedgehog, African pygmy | 4-6 years | 6 months |
| Sugar glider | 10-15 years | 1 year |
| Budgie (parakeet) | 5-10 years | 6 months |
| Cockatiel | 15-20 years | 1 year |
| Lovebird | 10-15 years | 1 year |
| African grey parrot | 40-60 years | 4 years |
| Chicken | 5-8 years | 5 months |
| Bearded dragon | 10-15 years | 1 year |
| Leopard gecko | 15-20 years | 1 year |
| Ball python | 20-30 years | 3 years |
| Corn snake | 15-20 years | 2 years |
| Red-eared slider turtle | 20-30 years | 4 years |
| Goldfish | 10-15 years | 1 year |
| Horse | 25-30 years | 4 years |
How to help a small pet live longer
- Space and company. Rabbits, guinea pigs and rats are social and need a friend and much more room than most store cages give. See the small pet cage size calculator and the rat cage calculator.
- The right diet. Rabbits and guinea pigs need unlimited hay; guinea pigs also need daily vitamin C.
- Heat and light for reptiles. Most reptile health problems come from the wrong temperatures or no UVB. Check the reptile tank size calculator.
- An exotic vet. Find one before you need one: many dog and cat vets do not treat small mammals, birds or reptiles.
Sources: lifespan and maturity ranges from the Merck Veterinary Manual exotic and laboratory animal chapters, the RSPCA and the House Rabbit Society. Ranges are typical for pets kept well; individuals vary.
Frequently asked questions
How old is my rabbit in human years?
A rabbit is grown up at about 6 months, which is like a 15-year-old, and a typical lifespan is 8 to 12 years. A 3-year-old rabbit is roughly 32 in human years and a 7-year-old about 59.
How long do hamsters live?
Syrian hamsters usually live 2 to 3 years and dwarf hamsters 1.5 to 3 years. A 2-year-old hamster is already a senior.
How long do guinea pigs live?
Usually 5 to 7 years, sometimes 8 or more with good care.
How long do pet rats live?
Usually 2 to 3 years. Rats over 2 are seniors and often develop tumors or breathing problems.
How long do parrots live?
It depends on the species: budgies 5 to 10 years, cockatiels 15 to 20, and large parrots such as African greys 40 to 60 years.
How long do bearded dragons live?
Usually 10 to 15 years in captivity with the right heat, UVB and diet.
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Guides for this calculator
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
- How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?
- How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live?
- How Long Do Hamsters Live?
- How Long Do Parrots Live?
- How Long Do Rabbits Live?
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Last updated October 2026.