How Do Vets Trim Hamster Teeth?

Hamsters are born with their teeth already showing. The little rodents are naturally inclined to gnaw on things to keep their teeth worn down to a manageable length, because their teeth grow throughout their lifetimes. On occasion, a hamster's teeth grow too long, putting the critter at risk. In such instances, a vet can trim the little guy's teeth down to size.

  1. The Preferred Method

    • Vets have the high-tech equipment that is best when dealing with the delicate process of trimming tiny hamster teeth. They use dental drills, just like the ones your dentist uses, to take care of various tooth procedures on many animals, including hamsters. Dental drill bits are very small, especially ones used for hamster teeth. The vet delicately runs the drill bit along the edge of the teeth to grind the excess length off. The specialized dental drill jets water onto the tooth surface as the vet works to keep the teeth from overheating and causing pain. Veterinary nurse Yvonne Aprato says that since the process is no more uncomfortable than cutting nails, anesthesia isn't necessary for a tooth-trimming procedure. They just wrap the little guys up in a towel to keep them from squirming.

    Other Trimming Techniques

    • Bone cutters and nail trimmers used to be the choices for trimming hamster teeth. Although they're considered outdated implements, they are still in common use today. In her summary of Dr. Sari Kanfer's 2004 lecture on common dental problems in rodents for "AFRMA Rat and Mouse Tales," Cathleen Schneider-Russell wrote that these tools are not recommended, saying they can cause your hamster's teeth to split which can produce further damage like chipping and breaking, and can lead to infection.

    Are Hammy's Teeth Too Long?

    • If your hamster's teeth grow too long they could obstruct his mouth, keeping him from eating and leading to starvation. Even if they're not overgrown to the point of blocking his mouth, teeth that are too long can interfere with normal chewing and can cause painful sores. Check the length of your hamster's teeth every day and be on the lookout for signs they're getting too long, such as difficulty putting food into his mouth, struggling with chewing, and sores or abrasions in or around his mouth.

    Preventative Measures

    • You'll avoid having to take Hammy to the vet for a tooth trimming by preventing the condition in the first place. The best way to do this is to provide your hamster with plenty of suitable things to chew. These can be any hard, hamster-safe object for Hammy to gnaw on such as blocks of unpainted, untreated wood, nuts in the shell or even hard, crunchy dog biscuits.

    Don't DIY

    • If you notice your hamster's teeth have grown too long, make an appointment with the vet instead of attempting to trim them yourself with any household item. You should always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your hamster. Some will be happy to teach you how to do it at home; otherwise, leave the task to a pro.