What can I give Chief to help his teeth?

PluckyCheese · 10-16-2011, 05:38 PM

Chief used to have a cage, but he would chew the bars despite our best efforts to help him not too. So we have changed him into a bin cage, which is so much bigger and better for him I feel. But, my issue is that he doesn't seem to want to gnaw on anything, he has a lot of wooden things in his cage and this like roll treat type thing. I've tried plain dog biscuits but he didn't bother with them. I'm really worried about his teeth growing to long and want to find something he will enjoy gnawing on. Thank you for any suggestions. Ask if you need to know anything else.

StarlightSerenity · 10-16-2011, 05:49 PM

Are you positive he isnt chewing anything? It's impossible to watch them 24/7 so he may only do it when you're not around. Most wooden toys are rough around the edges and make it difficult to see chew marks.

You could try something like this - Rat Treats : Boredom Breakers Naturals Carrot Woodroll : www.EquineCanineFeline.com the place to buy all your Pet Products, Horse Products and Pet Supplies online he will have to chew the wood to get the treats (when its worn down a bit). This is similar http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_...r_farms/189618

There's also this Rat Treats : Naturals Gnaw Stone Stack Small Animal Chew : www.EquineCanineFeline.com the place to buy all your Pet Products, Horse Products and Pet Supplies online the treat part is very hard and will wear his teeth down (its not in stock at ECF at the moment, you could email them or see if you can get it somewhere else).

StarlightSerenity · 10-16-2011, 05:52 PM

Another toy that will help teeth Nibble Wood for Small Pets at zooplus: Mr. Woodfield Willow Apple Ball its got apple in it and would have to chew the wood to get to it.

These would be good too http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_..._sticks/216987 which he may find more gnaw-able than normal wooden toys.

PluckyCheese · 10-16-2011, 05:55 PM

Ah I've seen that first link in my local pet store, the one I got him was similar but that one looks tastier. I'm just worried because when I looked at his teeth today they seemed longer since we moved him from his old cage. Thank you.

StarlightSerenity · 10-16-2011, 05:57 PM

No problem

If they do seem too long it would be worth popping him to the vets to have them trimmed

PluckyCheese · 10-16-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

No problem

If they do seem too long it would be worth popping him to the vets to have them trimmed

Thanks for the help. How do you know when they have gotten to long?

Demecat · 10-16-2011, 06:02 PM

Treat wise, try to give him hard veg, such as carrot and swede. These should help.

PluckyCheese · 10-16-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demecat

Treat wise, try to give him hard veg, such as carrot and swede. These should help.

Thank you, I'll buy a carrot tomorrow. Haven't tried him on much fruit/veg yet.

racinghamster · 10-17-2011, 04:33 AM

If he`s not used to eating veg, don`t overdo it as it could cause more harm than good. They only have small stomaches so a slice or a cube of veg (one veg) is enough.

Apple is a favourite of syrians and carrot. Other vegetables (if fed) should be done very gradually and in small amounts.

Normal eating is usually enough to keep a rodents teeth in trim, so if he has a mix with large extruded biscuits like Harry Hamster or similar, he uses his teeth to eat these, which helps. My syrian never chews anything either, wood or cardboard, so it`s important to make sure their diet includes some hard nuts or biscuits.

PluckyCheese · 10-17-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

If he`s not used to eating veg, don`t overdo it as it could cause more harm than good. They only have small stomaches so a slice or a cube of veg (one veg) is enough.

Apple is a favourite of syrians and carrot. Other vegetables (if fed) should be done very gradually and in small amounts.

Normal eating is usually enough to keep a rodents teeth in trim, so if he has a mix with large extruded biscuits like Harry Hamster or similar, he uses his teeth to eat these, which helps. My syrian never chews anything either, wood or cardboard, so it`s important to make sure their diet includes some hard nuts or biscuits.

He's only had cucumber so far and he only has 2-3 slices a week so I'll introduce it slowly for him. Ah I didn't know about the apple so at least I know more options for him. I don't think I can get that brand of hamster food so I might have to order online. Thank you.