Question:
Our hamsters always seem to die after a year and a half. We understand that this is about the average lifespan, but the timing also seems to coincide with their teeth growing very long. The last hamster would not use a chew toy and it got to a point where he seemed unable to open his mouth wide enough to take food or water. It was almost like he starved to death. Do you think they would live longer if a vet cut their teeth?.
S.J., Chevy Chase, Md Nov 07, 2004
Answer:
Yes! All rodents (and rabbits, too) need to have their teeth checked to see if they are too long, growing abnormally, ulcerating the mouth and/or preventing the animals from being able to close their mouths and even eat.Chew toys won't do it -- these animals prefer to gnaw on a piece of hard wood, bone (like a beef soup bone) or even a cow horn, which also provides a source of minerals and other nutrients that they may crave.In the wild, rodents gnaw on and recycle bones, antlers and horns, and, in the process of supplementing their diet with trace nutrients, also keep their constantly growing front teeth trimmed.Overgrown teeth need to be snipped regularly by a veterinarian or an experienced animal caretaker (with the right tools and appropriate restraint) who will avoid splitting a tooth, breaking the jaw or accidentally cutting off the tip of the animal's tongue.USE CAUTION WITH COMMON PAIN KILLERS FOR CATS AND DOGSWhile non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics are generally safe for humans, they should
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