Teeth And Gnawing

[pigmumsar]

I'm after some reassurance/advice from experienced owners please - we've had our baby sows (aged 14 weeks now) for about 4 weeks and they don't seem to gnaw on anything we have provided for them. My 8 year old son has started saying that Bramble's teeth are too long but I think it's just because he's read it's something important to look out for! They have 2 gnawing toys that they don't ever gnaw on, plus a few stick things and of course lots of hay. Because they are so skittish and fast still, it's only my husband who manages to pick them up and they are still getting used to being handled so it's near impossible to specifically check their teeth. Should I be worried? is there anything I can do to encourage them to gnaw? My logic tells me that if their teeth were too long and uncomfortable then they'd choose to gnaw!

Thanks

 

[biscandmatt]

i don't think it's anything to be concerned about, aslong as they are eating lots and lots of hay. my two don't really bother chewing anything either. well benjie likes the bars when he's telling me to hurry up but that is about it

keep providing as much hay as possible and weigh them regularly and any problems will quickly become apparent

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Encourage them to use their incisors by not cutting up harder veg, like carrots, parsnips, broccoli stalks, cauliflower, so they have to work to eat it. Without expert knowledge, it is difficult to know what incisors should look like - they are much longer as you think they should be!

 

[Elwickcavies]

I agree. Not all guinea pigs gnaw on things. As long as they are eating hay and hard veg like carrots etc., they''l be fine.

 

[Freela]

Not all pigs like to gnaw on chew toys. Naturally chewing hard/fibrous food is enough to wear their teeth down. The best thing you can provide is a whole lot of hay, which requires a LOT of chewing. The natural side-to-side jaw motion of chewing the hay is enough to wear the teeth down. Honestly, only one of my pigs has really enjoyed chew toys and the only time I've run into tooth overgrowth is with specific pigs who had underlying issues like dental abscesses interfering with the normal chewing motion. Weighing regularly is also important. If there is a tooth problem, you will probably see weight loss before you see any more obvious signs like abnormal chewing and mouth motions.

 

[pigmumsar]

Thanks very much for all your useful replies. I hadn't thought about the harder veg helping too - I won't cut it up too small in future. Unfortunately they aren't keen on much veg. Romaine lettuce is there fave fresh food by far but I keep persevering by giving them a selection to try even though they often waste it!

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

When it comes to their back teeth, grass is the most difficult thing for them to chew, because of the fibres that need to be broken down. Just do as you have been doing and I'm sure your piggies will be just fine!