Dental health is an important part of overall health for rodents and small mammals such as chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters. Dental issues in rodents and rabbits are often caused by overgrown teeth. 

Overgrown teeth can cause the animal to have difficulty eating, which can lead to weight loss and even death. To help prevent dental problems, rodents and small mammals should have a diet that includes hay and fresh vegetables. Chewing is important to wear the teeth so larger pellets are better than smaller ones, hay is also important as well as vegetables such as carrots. 

Malocclusion (teeth not meeting in a perfect bite) of the incisors, premolars, and molars is common in small mammals. Most rodents have open rooted teeth that grow continuously. If an animal has malocclusion and continually erupting teeth, their teeth are prone to overgrowing and can actually grow across the mouth and trap the tongue. Typical signs include reluctance to eat while appearing hungry and dropping food from the mouth. Sometimes the animal is drooling more than usual.

Visit Your Veterinarian for a Dental Check Up

It’s important to stay ahead of your rodent or small mammal’s dental health by visiting your veterinarian if you have any concerns. 

Your vet will assess your pet’s dental health during their check up, and it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about your pet’s teeth.

If your small mammal does develop dental problems, you should take it to a veterinarian immediately for treatment. Treatment may include tooth trimming or extraction, antibiotics, or surgery. 

It is important to take care of your pet’s dental health to ensure a long and healthy life. Regular dental checkups, and proper diet, are  important elements of a healthy dental routine for your rodent or rabbit.