Is our Russian Dwarf Hamster on his last legs? How do they act when they get old?

[YanknCock]

DH and I got a little Russian Dwarf Hamster as a Christmas present to ourselves year before last. He was approximately 4-6 weeks old (so they said), making him about 1.5 years old now.

In the last few months, he seems slower, looks like he's not as plump, fur not as fluffy. He doesn't climb quickly all over the place when we hold him, just sits or climbs slowly. He is also more bitey than he used to be--wondering if his sense of smell is going and he can't distinguish fingers from food anymore?

He still runs in his wheel during the evening/night, but I think he does it less than he used to. He used to knock his wheel off all the time, but it's been well over a month since he did that last. He seems to use the same amount of food, and doesn't have a wet tail or anything to indicate he is ill.

Anyone have experience with these little guys? Should we prepare ourselves?

Poor George.

He's at the end of his expected age range and, yes, it does sound like he's getting old.

My hammie (a Syrian) recently went like this and passed away in his sleep a few weeks later

HTH

Oh dear, I suspected as much. Well, I hope he goes quickly and painlessly. Thanks Bella.

Don't lose heart - my russian looked bedraggled for the last year of her life. She was a rescue and even if she was barely an adult when we got her when she died she was nearly three (!).