How Long Russian Dwarf Hamsters Live? (Find Out Now)

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:05 pm

Everyone who keeps hamsters knows how cute and pleasant animals are that brighten up our day. The hamsters are constantly running and playing around us and our children, we really enjoy their presence.

There are several types of hamsters, surely when you want to get a pet hamster you wonder which breed to choose, which are good or bad hamsters.

All hamsters are good, and if you want to keep a Russian dwarf hamster then you are in the right place to get information about this breed of hamster.

The first thing that everyone is interested, it is how long do Russian dwarf hamsters live?

The Russian dwarf hamster lives for about 1-2 years, it mostly depends on the diet, the conditions where it lives, and other reasons. Russian dwarf hamster in the wild lives on average of 12 months.

In today’s article, you will learn more information about the lifespan of the Russian dwarf hamster and its characteristics.

How long do Russian dwarf hamsters live?

As we said at the beginning, Russian dwarf hamsters live from 1 to 2 years if we take care of them and keep them in the best possible way.

Caring means a proper and healthy diet with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that will extend his life.

It is also necessary to maintain their hygiene, cleaning the cage and normal temperature so that the Russian dwarf hamster can have a comfortable and happy life.

The better the living conditions of the Russian dwarf hamster, the longer it will live.

What types of dwarf hamsters are there?

Dwarf hamsters are divided into three breeds:

  • Russian hamster
  • winter white hamster
  • roborovски hamster

Chinese dwarf hamsters are often considered to belong to the dwarf hamster family because they have many similarities with other dwarf hamsters.

What is the behavior of Russian dwarf hamsters?

Russian dwarf hamsters are friendly and great to keep, you can even keep several hamsters of this breed together in one cage.

Russian dwarf hamsters are very fast, which is very interesting both for us and for children, who will enjoy playing with Russian dwarf hamsters.

This breed of hamster is nocturnal, although it can be active for a short time during the day.

They are very calm, they don’t show aggression like some other hamsters, and they rarely bite, which is one of their best features when we talk about keeping hamsters.

Health problems in Russian dwarf hamsters

By nature, Russian dwarf hamsters are quite hardy, but they still get sick, just like all other breeds of hamsters.

The most common health problems in Russian dwarf hamsters are:

  • respiratory infections
  • abscesses
  • occurrence of mites
  • wet tail or diarrhea
  • injuries and wounds

How do we know if a Russian dwarf hamster is sick?

The more we know our hamster, the easier it will be to discover that something is wrong with him.

Proper care is of great importance for the health of the Russian Dwarf Hamster, so if you notice any problems you should immediately take him to the vet to check his health.

Here are some of the symptoms that occur when a Russian Dwarf Hrak has health problems and diseases:

  • lack of energy
  • lethargy
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhea
  • too much scratching
  • sneezing
  • heavy and difficult breathing
  • hiding and avoiding to play
  • too much sleep

All of these symptoms are signs that something is wrong with your pet and that you should take him to the vet immediately.

Do Russian Dwarf Hamsters like to be held and petted?

Yes, Russian dwarf hamsters are very friendly and they love to be held and petted.

This is one of their best features and makes them great for keeping and friendship with their owners.

Russian dwarf hamsters are one of the best for playing with children, they look forward to them the most and enjoy the moments together with their pet.

If the Russian dwarf hamster feels threatened for its safety, it may bite, but this happens very rarely, only if there is a real reason for such a reaction.

russian dwarf hamsters lifespan

What are the causes of death of dwarf hamsters?

Dwarf hamsters die for many reasons, and worst of all, it can be sudden and without any special signs.

Here are some of the causes of death of dwarf hamsters:

  • Life expectancy – hamsters live on average from 2-3 years, while with good nutrition and living conditions, their life can be extended a few months more, but not too much.
  • Stress – indirectly affects the sudden death of hamsters, because it weakens their immunity, it is the cause of the emergence of diseases that do not result in the death of our pet.
  • Wet tail – is one of the most dangerous diseases that can affect the hamster, it is transmitted through infections. When hamsters have a wet tail, if you don’t react immediately, the hamster will die very quickly in a day or two.
  • Lung infections – are the cause of death in hamsters. Unfortunately, lung infections and pneumonia are common in hamsters and lead to their sudden death.
  • Heart disease – Hamsters often suffer from various heart diseases that cause rapid and sudden death.
  • Cancer – cancer, which in hamsters is also called neoplasia, can cause death in hamsters, especially if it is not detected in time.

That is why it is necessary for them to have a healthy diet rich in antioxidants that fight against the occurrence of cancer in hamsters.

How do we know a dwarf hamster is dying?

The most common sign when a hamster is about to die is difficulty in breathing, it is the main symptom that the hamster is unfortunately dying.

Therefore, whenever you start to notice problems with their breathing, you should immediately take your pet to the vet.

The faster you take it, the greater the chances of saving your pet’s life.

How do we know how old the hamsters are?

It is a little more difficult to determine the exact age of hamsters, but there are some characteristics by which we can roughly determine their age.

When hamsters are very young, about 2-3 weeks, then their ears and eyes are still closed.

The fur of hamsters can also tell us about their age because they are born without fur, as they grow, the fur becomes more shiny and beautiful, and as they age, the fur begins to thin.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the oldest Russian hamster?

The oldest Russian hamster lived for 4.5 years. However, this is an exception, because the normal life span of these hamsters is one to two years, so we need to feed and keep them well so that they have a normal life span.

How long do Russian hamsters live as pets?

When kept at home, Russian dwarf hamsters can live up to 3 years. It all depends on the diet, living conditions and similar essential factors that affect their life span. In any case, domestic Russian hamsters can live longer than those in the wild.

How long can Russian dwarf hamsters live without water?

If Russian dwarf hamsters are left without drinking water, they can last 3-4 days at most. But something like this is best not to happen, because then they can easily die, so don’t allow such unwanted moments for your pet. After 3-4 days, even if you give them enough water, they can still die due to the dehydration they already had.

Read more: Hamsters With Big Balls – Should You Be Worried?

Conclusion

The lifespan of Russian dwarf hamsters is about 1-2 years, or a little more if we feed them properly and have a pleasant living environment.

Taking them to the vet for a timely checkup when they are sick can help cure them of certain diseases and extend their lifespan.

In any case, Russian dwarf hamsters require attention, care and proper nutrition so that they can live longer.

Read more: Why Is My Hamster Nose Bleeding? Complete Guide