Long teeth and Obesity?

Tish36 · 03-31-2010, 08:28 AM

I've noticed Shadow has got REALLY plump lately in comparison to my other Syrians, as well as his teeth becoming longer.

To resolve this, I bought him a new cage today with bars, so he has more space to run around in. I have also ordered a Wodent Wheel so he can use a wheel that he actually fits into

I have also bought him a mineral stone which should help his teeth too.

Is there anything else I can do, and how long is too long in terms of teeth?

That way I can know to book him a vet appointment if they don't go down soon....

fluffymunchkins · 03-31-2010, 08:32 AM

i'm not really sure how long is too long. But my suggestion is to get hold of a hard dog biscuit (use bonio) which some pet shops will sell seperately instead of you having to buy a whole box.
Both my hams love these as they taste nice! But they are fab for teeth.

annie81 · 03-31-2010, 08:48 AM

fluffy is right...better give him a dog biscuit. they dont really use these mineral stones....but he will like a dog biscuit

Katty_Sheldon · 03-31-2010, 09:04 AM

My hamster ignores dog biscuits, and mineral stones, and sometimes i wonder if he is actually to lazy to chew on anything. Horribly lazy hammie

(like the owner')

Tish36 · 03-31-2010, 09:06 AM

All my hammies have been having Bonio biscuits for months, it seems to make no difference to his teeth though, they seem abnormally longer to that of my other two Syrians?

fluffymunchkins · 03-31-2010, 09:18 AM

oh i see! If they look in good health (no chips, slanted growth) and he is eating fine i'm sure there is no problem.

Tish36 · 03-31-2010, 09:33 AM

Ok thanks

souffle · 03-31-2010, 10:24 AM

If Shadow came from a breeder then he will be a large hamster. Breeder hamster males range from 150-220g on average and pet shop hams are usually 120-160g on average. Normally hamsters regulate their food and excercise and do not tend to get fat.
Teeth are kept at the correct length as long as they meet properly as they grind together as they chew. It is important his main diet is hard seeds and you don't fill him up with soft stuff and treats like yoggy drops. Overgrown teeth often cause 'drooling' and wet chin and face as well as obvious problems eating. Normal teeth do look surprisingly long when you see a hamster yawn!
There are other things that can cause a hamster to appear 'fat' such as fluid retention due to kidney problems, bowel disorders and tumours in the abdomen. Feel him gently and see if you can feel anything amiss in these like a lump or 'squishy' feeling to his tummy.

Tish36 · 03-31-2010, 12:29 PM

I got Shadow from P@H but he is different to any other hamster I have ever had. His markings are beautiful and the black marks on each side of his head are identical in length. He was also unusually large compared to the other Syrians in the pen that I bought him from. He may of been sold from a breeder to the store? I don't know, he's just unusually large

I will keep an eye on his teeth, and haven't found any lumps upon feeling around his tummy.

Thanks for the advice, I will keep you all updated on how he is doing