If you own or have owned a Guinea Pig(s), how do you go about making sure their teeth did not get too long? I have bought about two different chew products so far, and he did not bother with any of them, he did not like them.... any ideas, or chew products you feel work best?
2006-12-26 09:36:17 · 20 answers · asked by tranquil_moonlight_88 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
To keep guinea pig's teeth from getting overgrown, they need an unlimited supply of hay (preferably a grass hay unless they are babies).
Salt licks should NOT be used... 1.) they don't grind down the teeth as the pigs LICK them, and 2.) they cause bladder stones, a condition which requires an expensive surgery to correct.
Do NOT file your pig's teeth, at all.
They also will generally not chew wood. Guinea pigs are more similar physically to a horse than a rat. They are made for foraging and eating grasses and greenery, not for chewing on wood products, and many won't.
Hay is all they need UNLESS they happen to have genetic problems with their teeth which lead to malocclusions. These can only be corrected by the vet, and none of the products mentioned will prevent these from happening.
2006-12-26 10:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by Lotus Effect 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hm yeah our piggies don't really like the chew toys either, I believe that carrots might help since they have to chew on it long enough ya know? Try other types of chew toys see what they like the best, ya know those kabobs(sp?) with all those diff chew toys on it with a bell at the end and it hooks onto the cage? If so try those it did intrest my pigs for a big I think they liked to touch the bell with there nose a bit to much though haha. You can get that kabob at petco and other pet stores. Give you're piggies a hug for me(i love guinea pigs!).
2006-12-26 09:40:10 · answer #2 · answered by Dog Lover 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try flavored wood blocks, different shapes and colors of wood blocks, hanging treats vs laying treats, mineral/salt/vitamin licks, hardened alfalfa block, guinea pig banana chips, a small carrot stick (no more than 1 a day or it can get the runs), or other fresh vegetables like green or red peppers (just remember to limit these). They are also coming out with new "edible" houses for small animals, I do not know if they have one for guinea pigs, but my hamsters love them.
2006-12-26 09:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by woaikonglong 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has been a lot of years since I owned one, but I remember a thing that looked like a piece of wood - ask your pet store or Vet. My Guinea Pig loved to chew on it.
2006-12-26 09:39:12 · answer #4 · answered by GP 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I had a guinea pig, and he didn't like chew products, either.
I would go in my backyard and find some thick sticks and
scrub them really good and put a little salt on them and he
chewed the crap out of it. Hopefully this helps.
2006-12-26 09:39:55 · answer #5 · answered by sum4182girl 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
what ever you do, do not listen to the person who said to file them down. The best thing to do is give them the wooden blocks to chew on. they are good at taking care of themself.
I've had guinea pigs for a long time and i have never actually had to do this, but if he is not chewing and his teeth are out of control, bring him to a vet, they can do to clipping/filing of the teeth but please, do not try that on your own
also remember, guinea pigs teeth are naturally pretty long.
2006-12-26 10:06:35 · answer #6 · answered by lindsay g 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The guinea pig's teeth are usually worn down naturally by eating hard foods. If your guinea pig's diet is too soft, his or her teeth may grow to excessive lengths. It is best to take the guinea pig to a vet to have the teeth trimmed back. Until then, you may have to syringe-feed your guinea pig if he or she can't eat on his or her own.
Hope this Helps!
2006-12-26 09:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by ME! 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I had these critters when I was little! They will not chew to work down their teeth unless they need to! When his/her teeth get too long you will be able to tell because they will chew on everything in their cage!
2006-12-26 09:39:36 · answer #8 · answered by Dee 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When I had hamsters (they have the same perpetually-growing teeth), I bought wood sticks that had a fruit flavoring from the pet store. Maybe you've already tried them and had no luck, but these were always a bit hit with my animals. They never did respond when I gave them non-flavored chewies.
2006-12-26 09:38:52 · answer #9 · answered by Emily A 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
well get him something hard to bite on or there r some breeds that make there teeth small. If the stick don't work go to the vet and fast. If his teeth get too big he won't be able to close his mouth or eat and he might die
2006-12-26 10:11:19 · answer #10 · answered by kitten baby 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋