Hamster Doesn't Like to Chew

[Creampuff]

Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I just put it in hamster chat, I didn't want to put it somewhere where it didn't belong. Anyway, I think my hamster's teeth are very long and possibly overgrown? How do I fix that? The problem is, my hamster doesn't like chew toys that much. I don't feel like this is my fault, because I have provided her numerous things to chew on (wood, loofahs, crunchy sticky stick things - not sure what to call those - a little willow ball, a pinecone - although she has basically chewed that up all the way - some seagrass, or is it seadgrass? I don't know, something like that, and her tunnels, I'm not sure what those are made of. Oh, and woven stuff).

She just chooses NOT to chew on them! Okay, well some stuff she likes, but not many. How do I help her to chew, or make her teeth not be so long and overgrown??

Thank you!!

[Ria P]

Get her a Whimzee dog chew. Most hamsters like them.

[LunaTheHamster1]

have you tried putting food/treats in the woven things/balls/mats/carrot shaped things?

[cypher]

Whimzees are always worth a try but if you're hams teeth appear too long there may be an underlying problem like malocclusion or something as they don't actually need extra chews to keep teeth trim, just eating a good diet should be enough.
If they do get overgrown then you need to see a vet before they do any damage to the roof of your hams mouth or even the eyes, some vets will clip teeth while others prefer to burr them under anaesthetic but that's something you would need to discuss with your vet.

[Creampuff]

Okay, thank you!

I will look into the Whimzee, I have seen them at the store. Does it matter which one I get?

She loves anything with food, so she does like if I stuff treats in her toys, however she is fat. I think I feed her too much already.

[Geo92]

my hamster isn't that old, still a baby, not noticed him really chewing much but again when sleeping it's possible,

I have noticed him chewing on this carrot chew thing that is attached to his cage like once... he probably does it from time to time.


though on my wheel there's this metal washer thing in the middle , he sometimes I hear him scrapping his teeth on it.. either he is plotting to kill me, soon with his razor sharp teeth, or it's an other way to keep his teeth in check haha..


in short, just because you might not see him chewing, doesn't mean he isn't doing something to keep his teeth in check, even eating food would help with that.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Creampuff

Okay, thank you!

I will look into the Whimzee, I have seen them at the store. Does it matter which one I get?

She loves anything with food, so she does like if I stuff treats in her toys, however she is fat. I think I feed her too much already.

I get the XS or S sized ones, usually toothbrushes and the odd alligator and stick.

Is she really fat or just furry? How much does your hamster weigh? My Syrian weighs 230g but he is not fat.

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Creampuff

I will look into the Whimzee, I have seen them at the store. Does it matter which one I get?

Just don't get the veggie sausages or veggie strips and you'll be fine. The alligators and hedgehogs are very cute, but Whimzees sticks and toothbrushes work just fine and tend to be less expensive!

[LunaTheHamster1]

Like Ria already asked, how much does she weigh? I bet she isn't fat. My syrian Luna was 230g towards the end of her life and I was worried about that, the vet told me not to worry and in hindsight i shouldn't have worried. Lesson learnt there.

[Creampuff]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Is she really fat or just furry? How much does your hamster weigh? My Syrian weighs 230g but he is not fat.

The vet did say she was "meaty". I'm not sure, I can look at how much she weighed when she first went to the vet but that'll be outdated, since that was almost a year ago. Should I just put a bowl on a scale and then put her in there and weigh her?