2007-01-03 09:34:37 · 19 answers · asked by pantsavatar 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
calcium deficiency
2007-01-03 09:36:17 · answer #1 · answered by screaming frenzy 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Rats grind their front teeth together producing a grinding sound called bruxing or chattering. Rats probably grind their teeth together to wear them down (a process called thegosis). A rat's incisors grow continuously. This constant growth enables rats to spend their lives gnawing on things without wearing their teeth down to the gum. But it also means that rats must use their teeth continually to keep them from growing too long, hence the tooth grinding.
Rats grind their teeth in times of stress. For example, a pet rat may grind its teeth at the vet's office, or during a tense interaction with another rat, or when the rat experiences pain. Anecdotally, rats may also grind their teeth when they are relaxed, rather like purring in a cat.
2007-01-03 17:47:59 · answer #2 · answered by OO7 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello
im no expert with Rats but maybe he actually IS grinding his teeth. Try buying him things he can REALLY have a good chew at and see if that stops him. If not consider phoning your vet and asking them.
It maybe that he's not wearing his teeth down enough and its causing him some discomfort so id suggest getting him checked out mate.
2007-01-03 17:57:11 · answer #3 · answered by Mystic Magic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals that do not generally make noises, ie. bark, meow, will grind their teeth if they are in pain, or if their teeth are too long. I suggest taking your rat to the vet ASAP. I have owned several rats in the past and now have a bunny and they both react the same way to pain.
2007-01-03 17:54:12 · answer #4 · answered by Should be Working! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rats teeth grow constantly all their lives. It is natural for them to grind their teeth has it helps to wear them so they don't grow to long. They will grind their teeth excessively if their teeth are to long. Buy them hard rat treats and put a wooden toy in their cage to wear the teeth down. Vets will cut down their teeth for you.
2007-01-05 17:21:25 · answer #5 · answered by jraycash 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats grind their teeth when content. If you are holding your rat while he is doing this take it as a compliment that he likes you and feels safe with you.
2007-01-03 17:36:13 · answer #6 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They actually do grind their teeth (rabbits do too). They grind them to keep them shorter. Rats teeth continue to grow their entire life (unlike ours) so they do grind them to keep them from getting too long.
2007-01-03 17:38:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rodents teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. give him a mineral stone and some wooden chew sticks for him to gnaw on to help keep his teeth the right length. i didnt and the vet had to clip them which the rat didnt like.
2007-01-03 18:49:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your pet rat needs something hard to naw at to stop his teeth from growing to long
2007-01-03 17:41:19 · answer #9 · answered by JAMES H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i might sound like a geek for knowing this but they grind their teeth because their teeth are constantly growing and its there way of triming them, bluddy anoying sound though
2007-01-03 17:41:05 · answer #10 · answered by qwerty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure what that sound is...I have six rats and I've heard it a few times, but only from the two males....I don't know if that's relevant or not, maybe somebody else on q&a knows.
2007-01-03 17:37:34 · answer #11 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋