Slightly long teeth - tips for improving?

[lauraboara]

I have took my big adopted boars for a check up at the with the vet nurse the other day and it was v useful.
She mentionned that Sampson had slightly overgrown teeth - nothing that needed vet action at the mo. She said this might explain his watery eyes ?(which I posted about before).

I know some of you have big problems with dental piggies and Sampson is not in this category but do you have any tips for me to help him? He is already Burgess excel so he cant select and has sticks and toys to chew. He is nearly 1.5kg so not underweight but he has been underweight in the past before he went to a rescue. Thanks for any hints

 

[Abi_nurse]

Plenty of hay is the best thing for teeth, and make sure hes getting enough Vit C too. Not much else you can do. Not a lot of help, sorry.

x.

 

[lauraboara]

Thanks for reply - can certainly give him loads of hay. He is actually the least interested in hay of my 4 guinea pigs - perhaps because of his teeth? He is quite laid back about everything though - the vet nurse said he was the best pig patient she has seen for months - good boy!

 

[Toffeewoffee]

As suggested, an unlimited supply of hay is the best thing for piggies, not only for their teeth but digestive system and gut too! x

 

[lauraboara]

My pigs do get lots of hay - i try to stick to the 80:10:10 plan of hay:dry food:fresh veg (as learnt from forum!) and that seems to work well for the boys. The problem is that as with many rescue pigs their pre-rescue diet may have not been great and I just want to help Sampson as much as poss

 

[claremw92]

Lots of hay as suggested...
If that's not working try grass... Grass has a very coarse texture and takes alot of chewing action to get down them and believe it or not is pretty good for wearing teeth down...
x

 

[lauraboara]

Thanks for grass tip - you imagine that grass is quite 'soft' so it is good to know that it wears down teeth. Makes sense if you think about other grass eaters! Will try that too. (not myself though, am veggie but don't fancy grazing yet...)

 

[missy]

I've heard that, when it comes to hay, longer strands are more effective at wearing down teeth than the shorter strands.

Good luck!

 

[marilyn1986]

Plenty of hay and some corn sure can improve the teeth. I've had some piggies with long teeth too and i gave them corn and hay and it helped alot.