How To Limit Overgrowth Of Teeth In A Degu?
Like other rodents, degu also has sharp and continuously growing incisors. Because of these sharp teeth, they can chomp and gnaw almost all sorts of things. In their wild habitat, they wear down their teeth by continuously chewing the branches of trees and other things. By this chewing habit, they protect their teeth from overgrowing.
While in captivity they need chewy items and toys or this need. In case of lack of these chewy items, their teeth grow continuously and cause diseases such as misalignment and malocclusion. Besides this, their diet also plays an essential role in their teeth health. To limit the overgrowth of teeth in a degu, it is essential to change their diet and address their lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll discuss different ways to protect their teeth from overgrowth.
Dental Pathologies In A Degu
There could be various causes of dental pathologies such as trauma, genetic defects, and improper nutrition. About 76% of these rodents are affected by dental issues. The primary cause of this issue is their imbalanced nutritious diet and lack of dietary fiber and calcium.
Diet Is the Primary Element
Diet plays an essential role in limiting the overgrowth of teeth in a degu. Below are the dietary needs you should fulfill for better dental health.
Hay Power
Hay acts as a natural element in limiting the overgrown teeth of these rodents. Chewing the hay continuously will help them to wear down the teeth. Almost 70% of their diet should contain good-quality hay. It is advised to provide them with orchard and timothy which are considered as coarser hay.
Safe Chew Sticks
Provide them with safer chew sticks that will help them in branching out. The branches of fruit trees such as apples, pears, and untreated wood such as willow, and poplar are recommended chew sticks. Avoid toxic branches like cedar and pine.
Degu Pellets
Degu pellets make up almost 20% of their diet. Choosing a specifically formulated degu pellet means it has an adequate amount of nutrients and calcium that will support their dental health.
Minimize Sweet Treats
Reducing the amount of sweet treats is recommended for better teeth health. Food that has high sugar content doesn’t promote healthy dental health, rather it could be a cause of overgrowth of teeth in a degu.
Chewing
In the wild habitat, these adorable creatures naturally wear down their teeth by chewing the branches of plants. Providing them with plants or hay along with long stems helps to wear down their teeth naturally. It is advised to provide them with calcium-rich and long-stem vegetation.
Calcium And Fiber Intake
The two fundamental intakes to prevent their teeth from irregular growth are calcium and fiber.
Calcium: It is advised to provide at least 1% of calcium in the diet of these little creatures. Having calcium content in the diet of degu ensures even growth and healthy teeth. Besides this, pellets could also be a good option in limiting teeth growth.
Fiber: Eating food that has high fiber content promotes good digestive health and has a grinding effect on the teeth. It naturally wears down the teeth when provided in the form of plants. Providing them with a good amount of fiber ensures their teeth’ health.
Watch For Alarming Signs
Examine your degu teeth to observe their growth. Below are the signs you should look for better teeth health.
Curved Teeth
Generally, the teeth of these rodents grow straight but in some cases, they become bent from their normal position which shows that they are not worn down properly.
Drooling
Observe the behavior of these little creatures. Drooling could be a sign of discomfort caused by overgrown teeth.
Weight Loss
Because of these overgrown teeth, it becomes difficult for these rodents to eat properly. When they can’t eat the food properly they suffer from weight loss.
Preventive Measures
- The essential thing that will help to prevent overgrowth of teeth in a degu is to provide them with proper and well-balanced along with good quality hay.
- Sometimes, even with a proper diet, they could also suffer from dental issues. Taking them to a veterinarian is advised in such a situation.
- Regular checkups are also necessary for the dental health of these rodents. Taking them to a vet will help them trim the unnecessary growth.
Final Thoughts!
These rodents have continuously growing incisors whose overgrowth causes malocclusion and misalignment. Sometimes, these teeth grow continuously and reach up to their brain. It is, therefore, essential to limit the overgrowth of teeth in a degu. Providing them with a proper diet containing hay, fiber, and calcium will prevent their teeth from overgrowth. Besides this, providing them with chewy items will wear down their teeth and promote better dental health.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Feeding your little fellow a balanced and nutritious diet is essential, a key element of degu health & care. Sugary and fatty foods like candies, chocolates, nuts, oily snacks, processed foods like human snacks, dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, raw milk, citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, onion, garlic, and avocados are not recommended. Giving them this kind of food can cause health issues.
Providing your rodents with a spacious and enriching environment is key to making them happy. Besides this, rodents are sociable pets; therefore, keeping them in pairs will make them happy; providing chewy toys, dust baths, and engaging them in puzzles will make them happy.
There are some common degu illnesses that your little fellow can face, which include mouth/teeth problems, obesity, diabetes, respiratory infections, skin issues, digestive or reproductive issues, bladder stones, and claw or feet injuries. These are the serious health issues that your rodent can face. Therefore, degu health & care should not be ignored.
The rodents have specific dietary needs that help to maintain their well-being. A balanced diet means a healthy pet. Fresh fruits and vegetables like cucumber, zucchini, broccoli, carrot, spinach, strawberries, pear slices, lettuce, hay, pellets, and clean water are some nutritional meals for them. But avoiding food high in sugar and fat is recommended.
It could be a symptom of some serious health problem if your dog is not eating. Several health issues like misaligned or overgrown teeth, any injury or skin condition, environmental stress, respiratory or digestive tract problems, poor diet, or temperature changes could be why your pet is not eating. In such a situation, it is better to consult a veterinarian for the health of your rodent.