How Fast Can Dwarf Hamsters Run?

Dwarf hamsters, also known as Robo hamsters, are small, smart, and swift animals. They are also prey to mammalian carnivores and must run to survive. But how fast can dwarf hamsters run?

Dwarf hamsters can run an average of 3 to 6 miles per hour (5 to 9.6 km per hour). In addition to being fast, dwarf hamsters are very energetic. They can be dodgy and very difficult to catch when running from predators.

This article will discuss hamsters in terms of speed, factors that can affect how fast they run, and how to manage them as pets. Let’s go!

How Fast Can Robo Hamsters Run?

Robo hamsters can run an average of 3-6 mph (5-9.6 kph). They’re small and very agile. Their small size and lightning speed make them elusive to predators.

Robo hamsters usually grow to an average length of 1.8-2.0 inches (4.5-5 cm) with an average weight of 0.7–0.9 ounces (20-25 g).

Dwarf hamsters are superactive creatures that can cover long distances in a short while. In fact, these creatures can run as much as 5.6 miles (9 km) in one night. That’s enough to run through Mount Everest!

How Fast Can Syrian Hamsters Run?

Syrian hamsters cover an average distance of 9 mph (14.49 kph). Syrian hamsters are usually faster than the dwarf hamster species. This is because Syrian hamsters have larger and longer paws that cover more space when running.

The Syrian hamsters usually grow to an average length of 4-8 inches (10.16-20.32 cm) with an average weight of 5 ounces (142 g). They’re long and light, making it very easy for them to lift their body and move at high speeds.

Why Dwarf Hamsters Run

Hamsters are always on the run. Even as pets, they’re constantly wheeling in their cages. Hamsters run for the following reasons:

Wild Hamsters Run From Predators

Survival is a basic animal instinct, and dwarf hamsters are no exception. Hamsters take to their heels at the sight of predators. Even the pet dwarf hamster in your house still possesses this survival instinct.

You may have noticed that your pet dwarf hamster quickly picks up sound. This is because they have sharp hearing. In the wild, while running from one predator, they can pick up the sound of other predators and dodge them as fast as possible.

In contrast, you’ve probably seen your hamster walk off a platform or bump their head against a wall. Hamsters have very poor eyesight and are bad at depth perception, so they rely on their other senses to navigate their environment.

Wild Hamsters Run in Search of Food

Food is also part of survival. Hamsters need the energy to support their basic activities. So they don’t just run as prey—they run for food. Wild dwarf hamsters run and pause a little for food and water. Then, they continue to make it back home alive. They usually gather enough food for themselves and their young ones.

Wild and Domestic Hamsters Have High Energy Levels

Dwarf hamsters have incredibly high levels of energy. Even as pets, dwarf hamsters are constantly hyperactive. They’re always running the wheel. They carry out every activity with so much energy, even when eating or walking in a cage.

If you release them from the cage, you’ll find them dotted all over the place. It’s simply a part of their lives as animals.

Factors Affecting the Speed of Dwarf Hamsters

Domestic dwarf hamsters have a completely different lifestyle from wild hamsters. Your pet dwarf hamster no longer worries about running for food or from predators. This huge lifestyle change can affect their activity.

Because domestic hamsters always have food, are in a cage, and have a more limited environment than in the wild, they can become overweight.

Here are three main factors that can affect the speed of your pet dwarf hamster:

Obesity. If you don’t stop feeding your dwarf hamster, it can easily get obese. Since they’re less active at home than in the wild, they’re prone to adding excessive weight. Overweight hamsters are not as swift as they should be. Obesity can even lead to other severe medical conditions.
Anxiety. Anxiety can also affect the speed of a dwarf hamster. Dwarf hamsters can suffer anxiety due to a long period of inactivity. A dwarf hamster with no way of expending a high level of inherent energy will experience stress. Anxiety can make them unfriendly and irritated.
Boredom. This is surely one thing you wouldn’t like to deal with. Your pet dwarf hamsters can resort to bar chewing when they’re feeling discomfort. They’ll resort to it if they don’t have any outlets for their boredom or stress.

How To Keep Your Dwarf Hamsters Healthy

Dwarf hamsters are swift and energetic. They need constant exercise to keep them active, happy, and healthy. Otherwise, they become obese, weak, and sickly.

If you want to keep seeing your hamsters happy and healthy, you need to expose them to plenty of exercise. Here are a few exercise options for your pet dwarf hamster.

Use an Exercise Wheel

You must make sure your furball’s cage is large enough to support a wheel. However, hamster cages usually come with a small wheel of 5-10 inches (12.7-25.4 cm).

If your hamster cage is too small, consider getting a larger one. Hamsters always benefit from having extra space to roam around. You could also opt for an aquarium, which may offer more flexibility.

When choosing an exercise wheel for your pet, the type of wheel matters. The most popular options are the fully weighted plastic wheel and the metal ones. Both wheels will serve your pet hamster well.

If you choose to buy a metal wheel, you should ensure that your dwarf hamster will have no means of hurting itself while wheeling.

There’s a chance your pet dwarf hamster may not find the wheel interesting. You’ll need to entice your pet dwarf hamster to their new wheel to awaken their survival instincts. Hamsters need constant exercise to expend a lot of energy and be healthy.

Use an Exercise Ball

This is another interesting exercise option for your pet dwarf hamster. A hamster can use an exercise ball outside the cage. This exercise pattern allows your hamsters to expend energy but can also help them get familiar with their surroundings.

The exercise ball offers your pet dwarf hamster another fun way of expending energy since it has to keep pushing the ball. You shouldn’t keep your pet dwarf hamster outside its cage for too long, as they need to eat and drink frequently.

Play With Your Pet Dwarf Hamster

You can also share quality time with your pet dwarf hamster. However, they may not stay long in your palm or around you. All you have to do is to get things or hamster toys you can use to entice them to keep running to you.

While this allows them to expend energy, it will also make them bond with you. You can learn about them, their movements, and how to tame them.

Keeping your dwarf hamster healthy also includes taking proper care of them. Especially when they are still tender. However, improper care can also make them sick and kill some of their dynamic nature.

Here are a few tips to follow while caring for your dwarf hamsters.

Conducive environment: Where you place the cage of your dwarf hamster matters to their comfort. Avoid environments that are not well-ventilated for their habitat. For tender dwarf hamsters, get soft bedding and the right size of water can for comfort.
Feeding: Just like you enjoy changing your meals, you can try different hamsters meals for your dwarf hamster to keep them well nourished. Food like berries, apples, etc., can be introduced. You can also ask your vet for healthy foods that suit your dwarf hamster.
Cleaning: Leaving the cage of your dwarf hamster dirty for a long period can cause illnesses, especially tender ones. Ensure you clean their waste, change their water daily, and clean up their food dish weekly. You can also change their bedding weekly.
Handling: Your tender dwarf hamster needs more careful handling. Usually, dwarf hamsters are small in size, so the little dwarf hamsters will surely be tiny. When carrying, ensure proper handling and avoid them dropping off your palm.
Time management: Another thing you should consider when handling your dwarf hamster is the time of the day. Remember, they are nocturnal creatures, so trying to lift them up their bedding at dawn wouldn’t be good. These creatures sleep longer and better in the daytime.

Final Thoughts

Dwarf hamsters are fast and active creatures, but they’re still prey to many wild animals. They run an average mile of 3-6 miles per hour (5-9.6 kilometers per hour). These creatures are always on the run—they might be fleeing predators, searching for food, or simply expending their high levels of energy.

When you have them as pets, give them plenty of chances to exercise. Otherwise, they may become obese and inactive.