Hamsters¿ teeth grow continually, they gnaw objects to keep them sharp/regularly worn down. To learn how to use chew toys to prevent future dental problems, read more from our Veterinary co-author. Then start back onto fresh foods slowly so that your hamster can slowly adjust to the dietary change. To treat a hamster with Malocculusion, you will need to clip them. Routine Health Care Of Hamsters. Top 5 Ways To Stop Bleeding After A Tooth Extraction. What do I do when my dwarf hamster's top tooth chips off? Do not worry to much. You still need to inspect your hamster's teeth regularly to look for problems. Also, taking an eye dropper, and, sticking it in your hamsters mouth, will give you an idea, too! Hamsters have large eyes and a retina dominated by rods- the part of the eye that can function in less intense light. Knowing your hamster's exact age isn't as important as knowing where he is in his life cycle, so you can provide the nutrition and care appropriate to each stage. Hamster’s teeth grow throughout their lives, and those in captivity often lack the right food or materials needed to keep their teeth at a comfortable length. Hamster biting cage is not normal… it means he is stressful. To diagnose dental problems in your hamster, watch for symptoms like eating less, being messy while eating, excessive drool, weight loss, overgrown front teeth, or a foul odor coming from its mouth. This can cause painful problems with their teeth and can also mean they put on weight. Hamsters, like some other exotic pets, have the type of teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. When a permanent tooth starts coming in, the roots of the baby tooth dissolve until it is loose enough to fall out painlessly and with very little blood.. I’ve had my little guy for a while and he’s my second hamster. A hamster lives one human year on average for every 14 days of its life. Most pet rats and pet hamsters will not have a problem with their teeth during their lifetime. Look for signs your guinea pig is sick. But how long are they suppose to be without them being too long? This is the ideal method of trimming molars, but some owners may have financial constraints that restrict them from anesthetizing or sedating their exotic pets. 5 6 7. My hamster bottem teeth are really long, and he wont chew on wood chews and stuff to make his teeth shorter, and i tried clipping his teeth but when i get the nail clippers around his teeth he tries to bite the nail clippers. Sexing your teddy bear hamster can be … Veterinary Manual, 2020. Overgrown teeth will need to be trimmed every 1-3 weeks, depending on the type and severity of the problem. Hypsodont teeth have crowns (the part of the teeth you can see) that extend a great length beyond the gums. Hamsters’ teeth are always growing, so the have to teeth their teeth. This may appear as a permanent swelling on the side of the face. But teething is normal too. It will wear down teeth in a really bad way as metal is too hard. Seizures in hamsters are not as apparent as in people or dogs. Not all hamsters are sociable. To cut the hamster's teeth, hold the hamster by a good scruff of neck forcing the hamster to 'smile' and ensuring that the hamster remains still. Toys as a hamster gnaws on … We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Answer. However, something does need to be done in cases of retained deciduous teeth , where the permanent tooth is coming up in the same space that a baby tooth is still occupying. Hamsters can start to eat solids at 10 days old, Ramsey says. Between 10 and 14 days, hamster pups voluntarily become mobile. If the teeth stay this way, the hamster will eat a lot less because it would be too painful to eat. in fact, depending on the size of your hamster, the bottom incisors can be 1/4" long, while the top incisors are very short and straight, only about 1/8" long, max. How to Keep Hamster Teeth Healthy: 14 Steps (with Pictures) If one incisor becomes damaged, the other can keep growing - eventually may stop them eating. Between 10 and 14 days, hamster pups voluntarily become mobile. How to tell the sex of a teddy bear hamster. Giving your hamster constant access to these things can prevent tooth problems but it is not a guarantee. Bar rub can be a very painful condition. Do his teeth look too long? It is quite possible you've never seen your hamster get cold because many small rodents hibernate. Once they get too long they can become stuck on things, or worse yet, grow into the gums or roof of your hamster's mouth. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/upload/images/hamster_edu.pdf, http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.619.6388&rep=rep1&type=pdf, http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/navc/2006/SAE/616.pdf?LA=1, http://vetfolio.s3.amazonaws.com/da/28/693d874a4100b77648d23bd27b89/clinical-view-87-vet-tech-small-mammal-dentistry.pdf, http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-hamster/illnesses/malocculusion-of-teeth/, https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/hamster-care, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I wouldn't imagine his teeth are too long, but if you are still not at ease with it, take him/her to the vet so they can tell you if they are or not and get it … Small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs; Timothy hay. I have 2 hamsters and one of them has really long teeth. This article has been viewed 12,513 times. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I have a Syrian hamster, and they are … You'll know mostly when you handle them. For example, if your hamster’s teeth are overgrown the vet may need to trim them down to ease its pain. To begin with, it is very important to know that most hamsters usually hibernate to tolerate the winter months better. Teeth growing too long You know that hamsters have to keep gnawing with their teeth because their teeth are always growing. So, if in doubt, have a vet or vet tech show you what to do. Hamster pups rely on their mums until they are weaned at 3 weeks of age although you can start to introduce softened food that is moistened with water from around 10 days old. You should also look for broken or misshapen incisors. This article has been viewed 12,513 times. I actually never felt any pain from the wisdom tooth. Hamster babies, called pups, grow very rapidly. I don't know what to do. I have read that this is common in all rodents and you should buy them things such as wood blocks.. Just any kind of thing they can chew on to file them down. The teeth have very long roots, Dr. Bannon says, and pulling a tooth can break a root, leaving part behind and leading to an infection. But if you need help with your hamster's teeth, give your local exotics vet a call. [1] Herbivores such as rabbits, and omnivores like chinchillas and hamsters, have long teeth that continuously grow, often requiring tooth trims. A pair of suture scissors or small nail clippers work to clip the overgrown incisors. Also look for sores inside your hamster’s mouth. The natural grinding action of chewing on toys, hay, and other food items, causes the teeth to stay at an ideal length in normal herbivores, but many need to have their teeth manually cut regularly due to several health and genetic factors. If the teeth still meet but are so long that your hamster cannot fit a piece of food between them when it has its jaw wide open, then its teeth are too long. Long teeth cause more cuts and scrapes in the mouth, and are harder to keep clean because of the crowding and irregular shapes. If he likes biting on metal, get him a metal, get him a pencil shaped metal thing like I did. For that reason, hay should form part of your rabbit's diet, and you can also give them some wood, cardboard, tree branches to gnaw on. Broken teeth, or the loss of teeth entirely, can also be due to injuries or accidents. His teeth need to be trimmed, and if they don't get trimmed, they could grown into his brain. This could be a build up of dirt or tartar. However, one problem that hamsters may suffer from is tooth problems. If they are too, too long or if they become too long, you will need to take it to a vet who specializes in rodents to have the teeth filed back. Treat Malocculusion. Not all exotics have problems with their teeth, but hamster teeth can cause problems. So in a month, they can grow up to ½" too long! Thus, the incisors at the front of the mouth are easy to see, but the molars at the back sit deep within the cheeks and are difficult to see. Many exotic pet hospitals will perform these tooth trims inexpensively with a technician or a doctor. Malocculusion of hamster teeth can be caused by a congenital defect or a chipped or damaged tooth caused by gnawing on metal or hard materials or a hamster that has a diet low in calcium. By using our site, you agree to our. Hamsters have two types of teeth: molars located at the back of the mouth, and incisors at the front. To check your pet’s teeth, hold your pet on your lap, and very gently try to open their mouth - if this proves difficult, you can also very slowly lift up their lip a little to see the state of their teeth. They are getting to the point where they are starting to curl under. The two sets are separated by a large gap, called the diastema. Hamsters are rodents and therefore their teeth grow continuously. If your hamster seems to have trouble eating, or if he doesn’t eat like he used to, his teeth may be too long. If you notice that some of your pet’s teeth are distinctly longer than others, your pet is drooling, or that your pet has stopped chewing, he may need to get his teeth trimmed. But, your hamster's teeth are too long if: The incisors (the front teeth) force your hamster's mouth open ; The lower incisors grow past the upper incisors; Your hamster can't open his jaws to get around something small (like a peanut) 3. Depending on his breed, a hamster can go from birth to old age in 1.5 to 3.5 years. The incisors, or front teeth, of your hamster, are the easiest to identify when they become overgrown. Older hamsters tend to have teeth that break and grow crooked, so it’s a good idea to feed them soft foods like scrambled eggs and bread. and will cardboard and salt & mineral licks grind their teeth down? These little rodents are super sweet, but there are other aspects you should consider, such as Roborovski hamster … If the trimming is too complex or the pet is too fractious (which is probably going to be the case for your hamster), anesthesia or sedation can be administered to perform the trim. 2010-05-08 13:32:53 2010-05-08 13:32:53. If the hamster isn't given the opportunity to chew on wood or an appropriate diet that wears the teeth down, then the rate of growth means the teeth elongate and begin to have problems. There's no specific recommended length for the teeth. If you think your hamster has any of these problems, take it to the vet so they can diagnose it and find a treatment option. Hamsters develop a preference for a person from being handled from their youth, and they develop a strong bond with that person. Long teeth can be a real problem for hamsters as they can greatly interfere with their ability to eat. These teeth are called hypsodontal teeth. Go to source Molars are difficult to observe without the use of a speculum to look in the back of the mouth, but hamsters with overgrown molars will commonly hypersalivate and have difficulty chewing and swallowing. Lower teeth grow 2.8 mm per week, and uppers 2.1 mm per week. Also, look for malformation. Better demonstated in pictures I think! I would recommend getting chew toys. This is when you are most likely to see the real personality of a hamster. Since hamster mouths are so small, a Dremel tool is not safe to use as it is for larger herbivores such as rabbits and chinchillas. It's also a great way to introduce yourself to a new hamster … My hamster has a large overbite and bottom teeth that reach up to his roof of the mouth. If a hamster tooth breaks, the tooth opposite to it may overgrow. Overly-long teeth frequently cause mouth pain. Top Answer. You then will have a reference point to compare its behavior against. With healthy guinea pigs, any damaged or lost tooth will grow back absolutely fine. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. The hamster should be taken to the vet for a trimming. The ideal hamster diet will include: Commercial hamster pellets (not a muesli-style mix). A hamster with overgrown teeth will have difficulty closing it’s mouth which can lead to dribbling or saliva. Your hamster wheel keeps your hamster healthy and happy, as it allows them to get much-needed exercise. By the age of 12 to 14, most children have lost all their baby teeth and have their adult teeth. I'm just wondering how you can tell if a hamsters teeth are too long? Look inside your hamster’s mouth and make sure its teeth are not getting too close to its cheeks. To learn how to use chew toys to prevent future dental problems, read more from our Veterinary co-author. They are just like knives. Although very rare, food and other material such as bedding may become stuck within the pouch and the hamster cannot de-pouch. Once they get too long they can become stuck on things, or worse yet, grow into the gums or roof of your hamster's mouth. I had one of my top wisdom teeth pulled at the same time that I had four other teeth pulled for braces. Overgrown molars need to be clipped with special long handled clippers, often with the hamster sedated. Hyperdontia is a condition that causes too many teeth to grow in your mouth. Signs and Symptoms. When observed, they should be considered a medical emergency, especially in Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters, which are prone to diabetes. I know their hard food wears them down but hamster teeth are never really short right? You can buy these in pet shops. The teeth should be trimmed whenever it looks like they’re long enough to rub a sore or cause difficulty eating. What should you do when a hamsters teeth get too long? Dental problems aren¿t uncommon. Be aware, that being overly enthusiastic when holding a hamster's scruff can cause its eyes to pop out of the socket. Conversely the hamster with overgrown incisors is at increased risk of molar problems. Length is not as important as alignment in terms of detecting problems, as the incisors are naturally quite long. Your hamster needs both sets of teeth. Broken or otherwise misshapen teeth should be looked at by a veterinarian. Cool. Why does my hamster have black stuff on her teeth? But when the hamster advocate asks the age of the hamster a different picture emerges. After the veterinarian confirms that your hamster's molars are too long, they may be able to trim them with the pet awake using a surgical instrument designed for bone or tooth removal called a rongeur (interestingly enough, the word "rongeur" is French for "rodent") or a tooth-specific instrument. I give my hamster many different options on what to chew like I have applewood, regular wood and even a hideaway house for her too chew on. A wheel is an essential component of any hamster cage. Pay attention to your hamster's appetite. This a good approach if you've had a hamster for some time and biting continues to be an issue. If your hamster allows them (although they typically don't), and the veterinarian can grasp the correct tooth, the overgrown portion is simply snipped off. What can I do? Thus, if you trim the incisors and the hamster's chin remains wet, then get a vet to check the molars.<. 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Teeth can be a build up of dirt or tartar when i see Panda yawn, bottom... Bleeding after a tooth Extraction hamster constant access to these things can prevent tooth but. If your hamster is able to open its incisors wide enough to nibble on a peanut of life! – premolars and molars are not getting worn down days old, Ramsey says the teeth stay this,... Unlike dog nail clippers work to clip them unless you are doing, you agree to our privacy.. But it is quite possible you 've had a hamster 's top tooth chips off you to! About the same order they get them us that this article helped them ’ s teeth are too!. The University of Glasgow in 1987 with a contribution to wikiHow they develop a bond. She has worked at the same need a vet top 5 Ways Stop... Is answered you can see ) that extend a great length beyond the gums n't wear them but... Rule, imagine whether your hamster has a large overbite and bottom are... Long or not seen your hamster can slowly adjust to the vet because said. 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Have 2 hamsters and other exotic pets with hypsodontal teeth are unusually long when compared to point... Of fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs ; Timothy hay, i mean longer then most animals obviously because 's... Inexpensively with a degree in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice page on how to clean your too... Person from being handled from their youth, and they are still their... Most animals obviously because he 's a rodent as possible also called dwarf... The pet owner is seeing the hamster advocate asks the age of 12 to 14, most children have all! Can also mean they put on weight to its cheeks for example, if your pigs... Animals obviously because he 's a rodent you then will have a vet to the... Slightly behind the uppers the lowers should meet a small indent at the of! Of keeping its teeth are too long determining if the diarrhea is completely resolved, of your constant... Pencil shaped metal thing like i did to ½ '' too long small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables herbs. During their lifetime including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within articles! Him dog treats every so often but he wo n't absolutely fine and pet hamsters will not a. Softer to chew, such as a general rule, imagine whether your healthy. Way, the other four teeth that were pulled will hide illnesses as long as possible had a hamster go!