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Rats can gnaw their top teeth, but can they gnaw their bottom2007-11-24 22:14:48

Reason is this: I try and try to check my rats teeth, but you know how hard it is to keep hold onto a protesting squiggle!

So, I'm wondering...I can see the top teeth are fine (I have a chew-toy in there for them) but, how can I know the bottom teeth aren't too long? Is there anything that can be done about it if they are?

What should I do?

Answers:

rats top and bottom teeth slide naturally over each other as they eat/gnaw

this process naturally keeps their teeth i trim. the only problems occur when malaclusion occurs and then either top or bottom can over grow

the first sign of obvious malaclusion would be drooling and off the food . malaclusion is a VET ONLY JOB as the teeth need to be burred [never nipped off as splitting WILL occur] on a reguilar basis

if your rats are eating well and maintaining/gaining weight then i would imagine there is absolutely nothing to worry about

instead of wooden chew toys try them with baked beef bones[often available in butchers for dogs,] or cooked thigh/wing of chicken with the meat still on, chop bones with meat scraps attached, large dog biscuits

its the sign of a good owner that your worried though

just a note, rats teeth move slightly apart and within their jaws naturally so if you notice a slight wobble dont panic

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lol

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Let nature take its course. Rats don't have chew toys everywhere they are. I'm sure they can manage their own teeth.

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Does it really matter ...they are rats for gods sake.

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lolZ it really don't matter~they can prolly do it there self

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If your rats aren't having any trouble eating then everything is probably just fine. Usually when there is misalignment and the teeth grow too long they are not difficult to see and will start protruding.

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nah thier fine. rats also grind thier teeth which helps keep them trimmed. ive owned ALOT of rats and never had a problem with thier teeth. if they are having trouble eating, a exotic animal vet will trim them for you.