what do you do if your hamsters teeth get too long?

Question

i'v tried to give it hard foods and stuff to where them down but now one of her teeth is like curled back. please help me. my dad is wondering if he could just like cut it to be normal

Answer 1

yes you can trim their teeth but you need special scissors to do it, and you don't want to cut them too short or they will bleed and possibly make him bleed to death... just take him to the vet, they probably won't even charge you for it seeing as it takes literally about 2 seconds to do.

ps. anyone who says trimming their teeth is mean is a moron, especially whoever gave me a thumbs down. i was a veterinary technician in a vivarium for 3 years... teeth trimming is common practice and they do it at the vet. it isn't cruel in any way. jylsamynne's comment is uncalled for.

Answer 2

Really important to get the hamsters front teeth clipped. You should be able to do it yourself easily. We place a wooden chopstick in the mouth (as if the hamster would be biting on it). You can get a chopstick at any oriental restaurant. Please be sure to use the slender round ones. After getting the hamster to bite around the chopstick,(make sure the tongue isn't in the way) carefully clip off the excess, especially on the top, first. Use a pair of fingernail clippers. The 4 front (2 top/2bottom) teeth should be no more than 1/4" long. Use a smooth Emory board to sand the teeth just a wee bit. If the teeth are already at the point of damaging the mouth, it is really best to take the animal to a vet. Your hamster is probably getting old and doesn't chew as much hard food as in the past, therefore it was unable to dull its own teeth. In the future, be sure to regularly nip the front teeth in the future.

Answer 3

Hi don't cut it!! I had hamsters for years.

get her some alpalpha blocks, these are hampster/rodent friendly food sources, they are the size of approx 1"x 1" pressed grass blocks and they also provide b-vitamins, fibre, etc to the hampster.

Another plus is 1 GOES A LONG WAY!! Her teeth will eventually straighten themselves out. But you need to get her something to gnaw on. The best thing about the alphalpha blocks is that one bag lasts a LONG TIME. I found that they usually ":eat" or rather "chew up" approx 1 a month and there are usually 15-20 a bag for about $6 at any pet store.

Good luck. They also sell "sticks" made of a special wood enhanced with vitamins that they need to chew on too. I would get her one or the other. The alphalpha are the best in my opinion because its a natural food source to them, and no added ingrediants. Plus they store really well.

Also make sure she has a carrot in there on a reg. basis.

Answer 4

You can try getting little wood chew toys in the future, but since hers are so very long, just take her to the vet. A good vet should be able to file them down or give you another technique to try. Call a few offices and ask if any vets in the area will treat a hamster.

Answer 5

It is a tooth. What is your dad planning to use. An orbital grinder?
Wearing down a tooth is not something done overnight. Hard foods like nuts(***** toes) still fully shelled. Do not break it open for them. Walnuts in the shell, Almonds in the shell. Their teeth have to munch on the shell to get thru to the nut inside. They know it is there.
A vet dentist.

Answer 6

I used to have a "special" rat her jaw was miss aligned so her teeth would grow out and start to curl.. I actually used my toenail clippers to cut them down to a decent length. This did not seem to harm her in any way and she seemed much happier after the fact. You may want to consult with a vet though before doing so your hamster may have an underlying health condition..

Answer 7

if they are already starting to curl it's too late for you to do anything about it yourself. The only thing to do now it take the little guy to the vet to grind them down. Make sure the hamster has plenty of things to chew on so it doesn't happen again. Your vet could give you some ideas on what to give him for chewing.

Answer 8

Small animals are like humans, they need regular checkups. A yearly visit to the vet who will check the teeth and trim them if necessary is what is needed. Some animals need to have their teeth trimmed more often as well. I have had rabbits who need monthly trimmings! One common cause of death of small animals is that they stop eating due to overgrowth of their teeth which may not be seen by their humans. Its not always the visible front teeth that cause the trouble.

Call your vet NOW so your little hamster can be comfortable and healthy.

Answer 9

yes Crystal is correct they have wood things for them
I think they are in different colors Red Blue
And I am sure a Vet could do the teeth but not someone that is not trained

Answer 10

Give your hamster some chew sticks.
You can get them at WalMart, 4 in a pack for less than a dollar. :)

Answer 11

Take it to a vet, he'll trim them down for a fee, there are blocks you can buy to keep the teeth worn, but if the teeth are curling, time to see a vet i think.............