How to look after your small animals’ teeth

Dental care is just as important for our small pets as it is for dogs and cats. After all, they deserve to have a winning smile too! And a little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to healthy rabbit teeth, healthy guinea pig teeth and healthy hamster teeth. Our in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes has all the tooth care details you need to know.

Q: What’s the difference between small pet teeth and the teeth of dogs and cats?

A: Unlike dogs and cats (and us!), who have baby teeth that are then replaced by adult teeth, small pets have just one set of teeth throughout their life. What’s more, their teeth act rather differently. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus have teeth that all grow continuously. Hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice have front teeth that continuously grow, while their back teeth stop growing after a certain age. 

Q: What are the main teeth problems that small pets can suffer with?

A: Because their teeth grow continuously, a common problem is overgrown or misaligned teeth, which is known as malocclusion. This can be extremely painful for small pets. The teeth at the front (the incisors) can curl round at an odd angle, which can cause damage to the mouth and tongue. If the back teeth (the molars) become overgrown, this can lead to sharp spurs forming. These can cause sore cuts to the tongue and cheeks which leads to problems with swallowing and may form into abscesses – painful pockets of pus caused by a bacterial infection.

Q: How can you tell if a small pet has a problem with their teeth?

A: Apart from visible signs that teeth are overgrown or sticking out at funny angles, other telltale signs include drooling, weepy eyes, facial swelling, a runny nose, teeth grinding, fewer or smaller droppings than usual and a reluctance to eat. Loss of appetite is a big red flag because small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs rely on near-constant grazing to keep their digestive system functioning properly or they can develop gut stasis. This is a condition where their digestive system slows down or stops, resulting in a build-up of gas and toxins which can be fatal. If your small pet stops eating, it’s an emergency and you need to contact your vet immediately.

Q: What causes teeth problems in small pets?

A: The most common cause is incorrect feeding. Small pets with continuously growing teeth require a high fibre diet. If their diet is too low in fibre, their teeth don’t get worn down and grow too long. This makes eating difficult and, consequently, affects their overall health.

Q: What are the best ways to help small pets have healthy teeth?

A: For rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus, the solution is simple – feed them lots of high-fibre feeding hay – their own body size in hay every day. The action of chewing fibrous hay wears their teeth down evenly, keeping their teeth properly worn in the way nature intended. High quality Timothy hay is ideal as small pets find it very satisfying to chew on. 

For hamsters and gerbils, providing them with plenty of things for them to gnaw on, such as safe fruit tree twigs, cardboard tubes and woven willow or seagrass balls, is a healthy-teeth essential. 

Rats and mice wear their teeth down naturally by grinding their teeth together, which is known as ‘bruxing’, but they can still suffer from oral health issues, such as overgrown incisors, so if you notice any changes in behaviour or eating habits, always consult your vet.

Q: What else can I do to help my small pets keep their teeth healthy?

A: Always ensure you provide the right diet for your rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus, hamster,  gerbils, rats or mice. Depending on what pets you have, this should include hay-quality feeding hay, fresh crunchy vegetables and nutrition-packed nuggets. 

Give your small pets a spacious, enriching environment, with lots of things to investigate and plenty of suitable chewing materials. Bored pets can gnaw on the side of their cage which can cause teeth to get damaged, so keeping them stimulated and offering enrichment to their lives will help prevent this.

Take your small pet to a specialist vet for regular check-ups – at least once a year. There are various treatments available to help small pets with their teeth should problems occur. Dental issues are very manageable if they’re caught early.

KNOW THESE SIGNS OF HEALTHY TEETH IN YOUR SMALL PETS

• Rabbit and guinea pig teeth should be pearly white or creamy off-white.
• Hamster and gerbil teeth should be a light yellow colour, although they can be white when they’re very young.
• Chinchillas and degu teeth should be dark orange in colour.
• Mice should have yellow teeth while rats have orange-yellow teeth, which may get darker as they age.

AT BURGESS PET CARE, WE TAKE OUR HAY VERY SERIOUSLY INDEED...

• We have a long tradition of supporting British farmers. As part of our ongoing commitment, we actively source our ingredients as close to our Yorkshire mill as possible.
• The grass used in our nutritious hay range and Excel nuggets for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus is sourced from the UK to meet our stringent specifications, and we know exactly which field each batch comes from and the date it was harvested. It’s also exclusive to Burgess. No other pet food manufacturer has access to our grass!
• The grass is harvested when it’s at its lushest to ensure the optimum level of nutrients and fibre, helping to ensure that it delivers all the goodness pet animals require.
• Our grass is grown on an estate that works in partnership with the local wildlife trust and ensures that the grassland is managed to reduce environmental impact and positively encourage biodiversity. 

92% OF UK VETS RECOMMEND OUR BURGESS EXCEL SMALL PETS RANGE!

And, with a whole host of five-star reviews, Burgess Excel customers who have purchased our hay have told us: 

* “Great quality, smells amazing!” * “Excellent quality hay for a very reasonable price. The hay is green and healthy, it smells great, and the strands are long and thick. My rabbit absolutely loves it.” * “Great product. The bunnies loved it!! Big hit.” * “Such fresh-smelling hay and beautifully green in colour. My rabbits get so excited when I'm giving them the feeding hay, and it’s so beneficial for them.” * “Our guinea pigs love this hay!” * “Really good for bunnies, they love it!!!!! This is the type of hay they need!!!” * “Chinchillas are curious by nature, and my boys love Burgess Excel Dandelion & Marigold Feeding Hay. It’s a great-quality hay that adds variety to their diet.” * “My guinea girls love to munch on this every day. I love their little squeaks of delight when it is given to them and their excited hops around it to find the best bits to eat first!” *“This herbage smells wonderful, and my rabbits absolutely love the dandelion and marigold mix. It is a great enrichment.” *“First time using this hay, and my 4 guinea pigs absolutely love it. They have hay in a tray that they are able to graze in, but they love this hay in their hay rack.” * “This herbage is clearly high quality, with lovely whole pieces of dandelion and marigold. A fantastic product for small pets.” * “I've tried other mixes, but this one is the best in terms of quality and how much my small animals enjoy it.” *

SERVE UP ONLY THE VERY BEST DINNER FOR YOUR SMALL PETS

At Burgess, all our foods for small pets are made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications. We have also launched many innovations. These include the world’s first food specifically formulated for indoor rabbits and the world’s first indoor guinea pig nuggets, which are made with a calm formula.

Also check out our selection of yummy, nutritious treats that your small pets will love!

Are your small pets Burgess small pets? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your pets from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It’s all here >>

NEED SOME EXPERT SMALL PET FEEDING TIPS?

If you are at all unsure about the best way of feeding your small furries, or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can also call our expert team on 44 (0)0800 413 969, who’ll be happy to help. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, use our online form to get in touch. 

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