What Is The Dwarf Hamster Lifespan?

Dwarf hamsters are energetic little animals who make wonderful pets. The average dwarf hamster life span is two to three years with proper care. Make sure you give your hamster everything he needs to stay as healthy as possible. In captivity, dwarf hamsters can live for two to three years if they are well cared for.

XIANGYANG ZHANG/iStock/Getty Images

The average life span varies depending on each specific type of dwarf hamster. Hamsters normally die due to illness or disease. Abscesses, colds, and something called "wet tail disease" are a few of the most common health issues in hamsters. The maximum life expectancy for a hamster is generally three years. Two years is more common.

With proper care, your dwarf hamster will be able to live a happy and healthy life. There are several types of dwarf hamsters, including Djungarian, Chinese, Russian, and Roborovski hamsters. These nocturnal animals make great pets. If you handle them gently, they can bond with you, and they enjoy cuddling together.

Dwarf hamsters need a large habitat with paper-based bedding. Hamster cages should be spot cleaned every day and deep cleaned once a week. Hamsters themselves enjoy taking dust baths, so give them a shallow dish of rodent dust.

Feed your dwarf hamster lab blocks or high-quality hamster pellet food. You can also give your hamster small amounts of grains, fruits, vegetables, and grass hay. Provide fresh water in either a shallow bowl or a sipper bottle and change the water every day.

zevei-wenhui/iStock/GettyImages

Keep an eye on your dwarf hamster so you can take her to the vet if you notice any abnormal or concerning behavior. A healthy dwarf hamster will be lively and energetic with no trouble eating or walking.

A dwarf hamster who is sick may display weight loss or abnormal hair loss. You might notice diarrhea, labored breathing, or nasal discharge. Depending on what the issue is, your hamster could also be experiencing itchy skin, coughing, swollen cheek pouches that do not empty in a few hours, or lethargy. In some cases, these might be signs of a dwarf hamster dying.

In addition to abscesses, colds, and wet tail disease, hamsters can experience health problems like diabetes, dental problems, and skin infections. See your veterinarian to diagnose and treat your dwarf hamster's illness.

Oleg Shvetsov/iStock/GettyImages

You can purchase a dwarf hamster, hamster cages, and all the supplies you will need at your local pet store. The employees will be able to answer your questions about hamster breeds and help you find the kind of pet you are looking for.

Do extensive research on hamster care. The more attuned you are to your hamster's needs, the healthier and happier he will be. You will also want to work closely with a local veterinarian to take care of your hamster's health needs. This will help your dwarf hamster's life span be as long as possible.