A rat’s teeth is constantly growing. Usually rats are able to keep them straight and trimmed on their own. Even without any wood chews or blocks rats will trim their teeth by bruxing. But do continue to offer wood chews because rats really do love to chew. You can try boxes and tissues as well. Once in a while you’ll come across a rat with bad teeth. Either they are born with malocclusion or they develop an infection or illness which caused the teeth to become white, weak and brittle.
Trimming teeth at home is possible but you must be careful and know what you are doing. you need two people for this job. One to do the trimming and the other to restrain the rat.
I strongly urge you to visit your vet first. Some people have a hard time seeing the difference with normal teeth and overgrown teeth.
Also the vet can show you how to do the trimming the right way. It’s always safer and easier to have your vet do the procedure.
In some cases, trimming rats with white and overgrown teeth can result in injury especially if there is an existing infection. The slightest torque can cause the root to break.
Make sure to educate yourself first and have the proper tools and methods.
Jul 13