Teeth???

[Teddybearhamster420]

How do i know when to take my hamster to the vet to get his teeth done? how long should they be, and how do i find out how long they are? i cant just open his mouth! and ive heard of people doing it them selves, i dont feel comftorable doing this though ... PLEASEE LET ME KNOW!

[Hamtastic]

No, I would not recommend doing this yourself.

[Teddybearhamster420]

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

No, I would not recommend doing this yourself.

Im not gonna , i think i will take him to the vet for them to do it,

[Hamtastic]

Under normal conditions, I doubt your hamster would need tooth filing (if he gets enough hard food to crunch on and some chew toys).

[Teddybearhamster420]

OK, im just stressed casue i got my last hasmter, Pepper, at an older age and the prevous owner did not trim the teeth, she passed away not long after i got her, i wish they would of told me something was wrong witht he teeth of her :/

[Hamtastic]

Oh! In that case maybe you could post a picture of your hamsters teeth sometime to avoid a vet visit just for that, so someone more knowledgeable than myself in this regard can help you! (Unless you're planning on a vet visit anyway I know you said you can't open his mouth, but if you get to do it!

[Teddybearhamster420]

OK, hopefully he'll yawn and i'll try to get a pic

[Hamtastic]

You should look up "scruffing". It's a way to hold your ham to allow you to open his mouth more easily.

health checks and scruffing?

[fluffymunchkins]

It is difficult at first to determine when they are too long, its hard to explain it too!
I only clip the teeth myself as Bacardi is calm enough to do so and I was shown by the vet.
The main sign of teeth problems is weight loss so its good to keep a regular record. Also, you can try giving dog biscuits to see if they can chew them alright.
Scruffing takes practice, you could pop along to the vets for a teeth check and ask to be shown. Although my vet can't scruff very well so visiting a hamster show would be even better