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What can I get my guinea pig to help keep teeth worn down?

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I'm feeding my guinea pig (Nelson) Oxbow Cavy Cuisine and timothy hay (Kaytee brand), also veggies daily. However his molars are overgrowing and having to be trimmed. Twice in the past 2 weeks, and then 3 years ago. I've seen things such as cardboard tunnels stuffed with hay but didn't know if the cardboard would be safe for him. What in the United States can I get him to help with his teeth? Thanks :)
 
hiya, cardboard is ok but only as a treat, too much of it could upset his digestive system. hay is the main thing, it really helps with teeth and keeps their system healthy. also get plenty of wooden chews for him to gnaw on, and apple tree branches are good too, if the problem persists could the vet maybe take his teeth out for you? they've had to do that at the rescue camp nibble with quite afew rabbits as sometimes their teeth just grow uncontrollably and have to be clipped a ridiculous amount of times so i suppose guinea pigs could sometimes have that problem too x
 
Hay is the only thing that will wear teeth down effectively. About 80% of a guinea pigs diet should be hay so reduce pellets and veg if you think the balance isn't right.

You could try feeding a couple of other types of hay for variety to keep him interested (sprinkle it over his usual hay so that he has to forage for it). Also present the hay in different ways such as stuffed in a tissue box or toilet roll tube (cut lengthwise to make sure he doesn't get his head stuck) or a brown paper bag.

:)
 
definately hay and lots of it, if you can get bales of hay then they tend to have longer strands and then the piggies can enjoy running through it as well as sitting munching. If you can find a vet or a trained piggie person who can file the molars down without giving the piggie an anesthetic then thats better for the piggie. Steer away from the treat sticks they sell in pet shops, if you look at what is in them its normally sugar/honey based which is bad. I personally have never heard of guinea pigs having teeth removed. Shame your not in the UK as we have a few vets/rodentologists over here who do teeth with no anaesthetic.
 
saying the same really.....hay! If he's not eating enough hay, cut down on the other stuff and increase the amount of hay (he won't mind....they love their hay!). Also.....weigh him frequently to make sure he's not losing weight because of his teeth :)
 
You could have his teeth removed...if you want to be syringe feeding him every 4 hours, day and night, every day, every night, for the rest of his life (potentially 8+ years).

The best thing to do, as others have advised, lots and lots of hay, and an experienced vet.

Good Luck.


Just to clarify, is it his front or back teeth that he's having problems with?
 
Lots of hay is the best thing really. And keep weighing him so you know whether he is getting enough nutrition. This is the best way I find of monitoring my dental boys teeth.

I would really advise against getting them removed as a guinea will seriously struggle to maintain body weight with no molars to chew his food. Think how you'd feel if your dentist suggested he take all your back teeth out :{

Once he has had his teeth trimmed then feeding lots of hay, they should have access to it at all times... and chewy treats like applewood sticks, willow toys etc will help. If he still struggles to eat then feed him his pellet food mixed with warm water so it's softer and easy to manage. My boy maintains his weight much better with wet food than dry pellets.
 
I've come across rabbits having their incisors (front teeth) removed if they are constantly over growing, but as far as I am aware it is not possible to remove molars (back teeth) without breaking the jaw bone, unless they are so rotten they are falling out anyway.

As far as your guinea pig is concerned, I agree with the other posters, lots of hay and an experienced cavy vet. Sadly, once tooth problems start it is often not possible to cure them permanently, and the piggy will need regular monitoring and tooth trimming.
 
Thanks for all the replies. :) He has tons of hay. It's his back molars that he has problems with.
 
You may want to speak to furryfriends. She runs a sanctuary for dental piggies here in Britain and can give you probably the best advice possible. You won't be able to speak to her via pms (private messages) until you have posted 50 times on here, but you could contact her via her website or facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-...-guinea-pigs-with-extra-needs/231938713527009
http://www.teasnorthampton.co.uk/

Sometimes, older piggies just don't wear down their molars evenly anymore (despite the best of care, which you are doing!) and will need regular dental treatment. :(:(:(
 
As piggies get older, sometimes their teeth begin to grow at the wrong angle to wear down correctly, I think they should grow at about 45 degrees, and as they get older they can grow flatter so they don't wear down properly. I had a piggy who, for the last 2 of his 7 years had this problem and needed regular molar trims. Costly, I know but a relatively simple dental problem (compared to the next dental piggy I had who had a malaligned jaw!).
Best of luck with your piggy.
 
Thanks so much everyone! I went and bought him some apple branches from Petsmart and some other flavored nibbler sticks from Petsmart yesterday, along with some "Loofa" chews. The picky piggy won't chew any of them though, lol. I also bought him an Owbox timothy hay house..he loves it! Been chewing it.
 
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