Although this species has a relatively large extent of occurrence, it is rare and declining. It is reasonable to suspect a population reduction of nearly 30% over the last ten years based on significant loss and degradation of steppe habitat, largely driven by conversion to cropland, as well as the impacts of pest-control measures. The reduction is likely to continue as many remnant habitat patches are deteriorating in in condition. This species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened (nearly meets criterion A2c).

Brandt's Hamster has the largest distributional range in the genus Mesocricetus. It occurs in Anatolia, Transcaucasia (Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan; Šidlovskij 1967), SE Daghestan (Russian Federation) (Gromov and Erbaeva 1995, Yiğit et al. 2000, Pavlinov et al. 2002) and northwest Iran (Qazvin in the east, Lurestan in the south; Lay 1967). Reports for north Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and north Israel (Musser and Carleton 2005) are erroneous (Shehab et al. 2004). The species is found primarily between 1,000–2,200 m asl.

Although this species has a wide distribution, its abundance is quite low (N. Yigit pers. comm. 2024). In Azerbaijan, the species is considered rare in semi-deserts, foothills, mountain steppes and mountain grasslands (Rodrigues et al. 1999). It is included in the Red Data Book of Georgia (1982) as rare/endangered. In the Georgian lowlands, it is rarer than in the highlands; it is also rare across its Turkish distribution. Populations in the Caucasus have decreased due to anthropogenic factors (K. Tsytsulina pers. comm. 2008). In Dagestan (Russia), the natural habitat of this species has become fragmentary, and the density of M. brandti dropped from 10/ha in the 1980s–1990s, to 3–5/ha in 2013–2017, even in optimal sites (Chunkov and Omarov 2017). Also across the same time period, the area inhabited by this species reduced, as it was previously found in three districts (Buinaksky, Levashinsky and Karabudakhkent), but as reported in 2017, only remains in one (Levashinsky) (Chunkov and Omarov 2017). Overall, low population densities across its range have been affected by its territorial behaviours, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and targeted pest control, and it is likely that its population has approached a 30% reduction over the last ten years.

This hamster occurs in dry open steppe habitat with cereals and wormwoods, or cereals and herbs. It has been found on the edges of agricultural areas adjacent to steppe habitat, but such modified habitats may not be not ideal for the species. It feeds on herbs and cereals, sometimes consumes insects and other invertebrates. It hibernates and makes supplies for winter, which include cereals, herb roots, bulbs, and leaves. Depending on the type of ground, burrows can be from 0.5 m to 2 m deep, and from 6 to 10 m long. Hamster burrows typically have one vertically descendant tunnel with a single entrance, a nesting cell, a supply cell and a toilet cell. Burrows are not found among colonies of other rodent species, including hamsters (e.g., Microtus arvalis and Microtus socialis). It reproduces 2–3 times per year. In good years, up to four litters in the foothills have been recorded. Litter sizes range from 1 to 9 young, with 8 on average (N. Yigit pers. comm. 2024). Pregnancy is 14–15 days.

This species is locally controlled as a pest. It is widespread but rare and although habitat is grazed there is no evidence that overgrazing affects the species at present (B. Krystufek pers. comm. 2007). Agriculture in Turkey is destroying much natural steppe habitat (N. Yigit pers. comm. 2024). It is reasonable to infer that habitat availability for this species has reduced by up to 30% over the previous decade. For instance, at least 44% of steppe in the Anatolian Biogeographical Region has been converted to croplands (Ambarli et al. 2016), with nearly half of all rangelands in the Central Anatolian Region lost between 1970–2001 (see Fırıncıoğlu et al. 2007). Several grassland Key Biodiversity Areas have already disappeared, or become severely degraded, in Türkiye (Doga 2024). In the Tatvan region of Türkiye, grasslands were reduced by 18% in a 24-year period, primarily converted for agriculture or expanding settlements. Remnant grassland areas continue to experience overgrazing and severe losses in productivity (Gökbulak et al. 2018), becoming increasingly fragmented and degraded. Grassland loss has also been observed in Iran (Darvishi et al. 2015) and Azerbaijan (Asam et al. 2022). Furthermore, agricultural practices in the mountains of Dagestan (Russia) have changed significantly in the last 20 years, with vegetables often grown instead of cereal crops, and these changes have affected both the populations of the Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus raddei) and Brandt's Hamster (M. brandti) (Chunkov and Omarov 2017).

Mesocricetus brandti is found in protected areas. Management and conservation of steppe habitats would benefit this species. Further research is needed to monitor population trends and to study its ecology and threats.