Last updated on July 9th, 2023 at 07:45 pm
Hamsters have teeth that are constantly growing and therefore need to be reduced. Hamsters use toys and chews in the cage to help them reduce their teeth.
If the hamster’s teeth are not reduced they will be overgrown and your pet will have problems eating which can lead to bad injuries inside the mouth and gums.
But sometimes if hamsters fail to reduce their teeth, we will have to cut them.
How to clip hamsters’ teeth?
To clip hamster teeth you need cat nail scissors, while for molars it is best to have them cut at the vet using a special tool called a rongeur.
In today’s article, you will learn why it is important to cut the teeth of hamsters, how to cut their teeth, and similar questions related to the topic.
Why should you trim your hamster’s teeth?
When the teeth of the hamsters are overgrown or when they are in pain then you have to cut their teeth.
Hamsters have teeth that are constantly growing, so they need to be trimmed all the time to avoid dental problems.
Hamsters use objects and toys in their cage that they chew and successfully reduce their teeth.
But sometimes they fail to reduce their teeth and overgrown teeth appear that can hurt their mouth, and gums, and also affect other teeth in their mouth.
Therefore, if something like this happens, it is inevitable to cut their teeth and normalize their size.
When some of the teeth are longer, they will interfere with the hamster’s normal chewing of food, and this problem must be solved immediately.
Problem with overgrown teeth in hamsters
The incisors or front teeth of hamsters can often be overgrown and can be easily identified. The front teeth in hamsters can grow and start to curve and count on your pet’s lips themselves.
The more the hamster’s teeth grow, the more they will cause problems with your pet’s gums and mouth.
Unlike incisors, other teeth such as molars can also be longer than normal, although they are rarely overgrown. Molars are much harder to see and a speculum is used for their examination.
However, even if they don’t look good, it will be easy to notice when something is wrong with them because the hamsters will have problems eating and chewing the food.
Hamsters can have hypsodont teeth
When the teeth of hamsters are constantly growing, they are also called hypsodont teeth, then the crowns or the visible part of the teeth extend beyond the gums.
These teeth must be cut and reduced, or they can be reduced in natural ways with:
- chew toys
- wooden objects
- chewing food
If they do not reduce naturally, you must take the hamsters to a veterinarian to reduce their teeth.
How to cut the teeth of hamsters?
When hamsters have overgrown teeth, they must be trimmed either by a veterinarian or by yourself.
My recommendation is to take your hamster to a vet as he has the experience and knowledge to properly cut and trim their teeth.
However, if you want to try cutting hamster teeth yourself, here’s what you should do.
It is necessary to hold the hamster properly and wrap it in a towel. It is best to have someone else help you cut the hamster’s teeth, as one person will hold the hamster and hold the skin on its neck back so the hamster can open its mouth.
Cutting the teeth should be done by the other person using cat nail clippers.
When you cut the teeth, you should ensure that the corner is always inclined towards your hamster’s mouth. When you cut the tooth you should leave it half an inch long.
Of course, you should be very careful not to injure your pet, specifically their cheeks and tongue. Keep the hamster relaxed and calm the entire time you are cutting its teeth.
When you cut your teeth, you should cut each tooth separately, never cut two teeth at once. Finally, you need to take a file and smooth the sharp edges of the teeth you cut.
Cutting the incisors of hamsters
When you need to cut your hamster’s incisor, doing it the right way will not cause your pet any pain.
You can use small nail clippers or sewing scissors to cut the hamster’s overgrown incisors.
Just be careful not to cut their teeth too much, as this can cause pain to your pet. Or it’s best to go to a vet if you think you can’t do the teeth cutting yourself.
Molar tooth cutting in my hamster
When the molars need to be cut it is a little more difficult with cutting scissors, so it is best not to try it yourself.
Overgrown molars are best checked by a veterinarian and trimmed.
Vets have a special molar-cutting tool called a rongeur that will successfully and easily reduce your hamster’s molars.
How do I keep my hamster’s teeth short?
To keep hamsters’ teeth always short you should provide them with suitable toys, calcium blocks, and hard biscuits.
When hamsters have these items they will use them and reduce their teeth, which is very important for your pet.
Because if their teeth overgrow then they can create problems with the gums and mouth and your pet will not be able to chew and bite the food properly.
Should I let my hamster bite the cage?
No, it would be best if you did not allow hamsters to chew the bars of their cage.
If the hamster bites the bars of the cage, it may break, damage, and cause problems.
It is very important not to allow hamsters to bite the bars of the cage because this can become a daily habit that will be difficult to change.
In order for them not to bite the cage, you need to provide them with enough activities so that they will always have something to do and they will not think of biting the bars of the cage.
Read more: Is It Normal for Hamsters To Have Yellow Teeth? (A Truth)
Conclusion
Hamsters have teeth that are constantly growing and therefore need to be trimmed occasionally, especially when they are overgrown.
When the hamster’s teeth are overgrown, they will bite when they chew which can cause damage to their gums and mouth.
To cut the teeth of the hamsters, you can use cat nail scissors with which you should carefully cut the teeth, but it is best to have another person help you.
For cutting molars, it is best for a veterinarian to do it because he has the appropriate equipment, while you can cut the incisors yourself.
My recommendation is, however, if you do not have experience in cutting hamster teeth, that you contact a veterinarian who has the experience and appropriate tools for easier cutting its teeth.
