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Old 03-27-2016, 10:00 PM   #1
Hamshak
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Default Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Hello all, I have some questions about teeth in Syrian hamsters, being a new owner and wanting to make sure I am well informed for my hammies benefit.

How do you check the length of teeth? I only see her teeth when she yawns or I catch her trying to chew on something she isn't supposed to. I certainly don't have time to get a ruler and measure them haha

If I provide lots of different chews and it appears she is chewing regularly, they should stay trimmed, right?

Best types of chews? She seems to like Apple sticks, and cardboard a little bit. Hemp string got a few nibbles, and loofah and rattan have gotten pushed around a bit.

What to do if her teeth get too long?


Sorry for all the questions but i like to be informed!
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Old 03-27-2016, 10:18 PM   #2
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

The best way to check a hamsters teeth is by scuffing them. You do this by gathering their two cheek pouches together and slowly turning said hamster on their back while your other hand supports the rest of their body which prevents them from wiggling around too much and escaping. Wooden chews and toys are a good way to keep hamsters teeth trim but some find chews boring. Antos dog chews which are vegetable based are a favourite among most hamsters and they seem to not last long. Avoid the star ones though as they can be dangerous. Take them to the vets for a teeth trim if they become too long.
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Old 03-27-2016, 10:39 PM   #3
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Her teeth should be fine with a good mix which should help to keep them trim & all those chews.
I agree about the antos dog chews (AKA whimzees) they're really good & hams love them.
If you have a look here & scroll down a little there's some useful advice on checking teeth.
If they do get too long they have to be clipped by a vet, usually this only needs to be done if the ham has a malocclusion, something they were born with, & the teeth aren't aligned properly or if they get damaged, often caused by bar chewing.
As well as looking at the teeth as part of a regular health check keep an eye on how much they eat & weigh, if they do have teeth problems they usually lose weight fairly quickly.
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Old 03-27-2016, 11:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Thank you for saying aka whimzees! The shop across from my work sells those and I can pick one up tomorrow! So I'm assuming there is a method of getting a ham used to being handled that way for teeth checks?

I have yet to weigh her, I have been trying to figure out the best way to do that.
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Old 03-27-2016, 11:50 PM   #5
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Get your ham used to being handles first, once she's comfortable with that doing a health check is no problem at all, it's worth learning to scruff a ham properly in case you need to do that but a lot of the general check can be done just while holding, stroking & feeling your ham.
Best thing for weighing is a large cup or mug or something she can't climb out of easily, just pop her in there then pop that onto the scale, putting it on empty first & setting the scale to zero or just weigh the container empty so you can tell how much she weighs.
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Old 03-28-2016, 12:50 AM   #6
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Okay! I actually have a large cup she shouldn't be able to get out of even if she stretches, that might do the trick.
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Old 03-28-2016, 06:55 PM   #7
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Well, the whimzee did the trick, she is in LOVE with it. She was not shy about it in the slightest. She also seemed to enjoy chewing on a wooden bead.
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Old 03-28-2016, 10:38 PM   #8
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Great news, every ham should have a whimzee
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Old 03-28-2016, 10:51 PM   #9
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

I want to use it as a part of positive reinforcement with out of cage time. So she would get the whimzee each time she gets let out for play time, so she associates me taking her out with good things and i can observe her chewing daily.
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Old 03-29-2016, 01:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: Guide to teeth health in Syrian?

Not sure how big the wooden bead is but it might be something she could pouch or swallow. I've not heard of a hamster that doesn't go crazy for whimzees. Our hamster isn't the slightest bit interest in wood - except for dandelion roots, which are woody and I give him one of those about once a week (dried ones you buy, I wouldn't give fresh ones). And also he likes food on his wood Those treat sticks with wood in the middle - they chew the food off and are chewing the wood as well to get it off. Best to get sugar-free ones though. I get the Rosewood naturals ones but not sure if you can get them in the US. The ones with honey in instead of sugar are still a bit sugary.
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teeth, bit, informed, syrian, questions, chews, types, regularly, appears, lots, chewing, stay, provide, trimmed, hemp, pushed, long, rattan, cardboard, sticks, string, loofah, nibbles, apple, hammies

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