Are Hamsters Teeth Supposed To Be Yellow?

Besides their chubby tummies and adorable paws, their large teeth are one of the first things you’d notice on a hamster. These are usually a bright shade of yellow, but is that dental hue even healthy?

Hamster teeth are supposed to be yellow. The enamel, a protective coating, causes their teeth to have a yellowish-to-brownish stain. Thus, if your pet has yellowish teeth, it is not a sign of poor dental health.

Having very yellow teeth isn’t a particularly good sign for humans, but the dental anatomy of hamsters isn’t like ours. You’ll learn more about hamsters’ teeth in this article.

Why Does My Hamster Have Yellow Teeth?

Hamsters have yellow teeth because of the composition of their enamel. Thus, to understand why hamsters have yellow teeth, you must first understand what enamel is.

As solid as teeth look, they are made of several layers. The outermost and hardest layer is the enamel. It protects the teeth, specifically the soft dentin inside. Human enamel mainly consists of hydroxyapatite, which contains calcium and phosphorus atoms. However, hamster enamel is slightly different.

Hamster Enamel Is Different From Human Enamel

Studies have discovered that the composition of hamster enamel varies significantly from that of humans and other rodents. It is more vulnerable to heat, and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is much lower.

Although no studies have attributed those specific differences to be the reason for the yellowing of hamster teeth, they show that hamster and human teeth are not the same.

Therefore, we cannot put them to the same standards. So, even though our sign of good oral health is white to slightly yellow teeth, for hamsters, bright yellow to brownish teeth is acceptable.

White Hamster Teeth Is Concerning

If your hamster appears to have white teeth, that would be concerning. It could indicate a lack of enamel, which can harm a creature that spends most of its time gnawing.

Hamsters love chewing, and they’re supposed to chew a lot. Thus, their teeth need to be solid and durable. This means they need enamel a lot to maintain good, healthy teeth.

Do Hamsters Need Their Teeth Cleaned?

Your hamster’s bright yellow teeth may seem like an invitation for a cleaning. However, that’s not necessary. This creature can have good oral health without fuss when given the right foods.

A balanced diet, chewing toys, and regular checkups are crucial to ensure a hamster’s good oral health. With those provided, your furry friend is capable of maintaining healthy teeth without the need for a toothbrush.

A Balanced Diet Is Crucial for Healthy Hamster Teeth

Unlike ours, hamster teeth are constantly growing, i.e., they never stop. Nutrients are essential to healthy tooth growth, and these nutrients can be sourced from the hamster’s diet.

Therefore, you must provide your hamster with healthy and hard food. The hard food helps keep their teeth from growing too long.

You should also avoid giving them sugary, soft, or ground snacks. Ground particles can get stuck between their teeth and cause cavities. Meanwhile, excess sugar can be harmful to these critters.

These are recommended hamster food:

Hamster pellets
Fruit (do not give citrus fruits and always remove the seeds)
Vegetables
Herbs
Timothy hay
Mealworms
Nuts
Boiled eggs
Dog biscuits (given as an occasional treat)

Don’t forget to provide fresh water for your furry friend.

Keep Hamster Teeth Short and Healthy With Chewing Toys

Hamster teeth never stop growing. To avoid overgrowth, they need to keep chewing and gnawing. It’s like filing our nails to keep them short.

Although chewing food helps a bit, they must have chewing toys to keep them entertained for the rest of the time. You cannot leave them without toys, or they might start gnawing on metal bars and hardwood, which could lead to chipped teeth and other dental problems.

Here are some of the recommended chewing toys for hamsters:

Hamster chew toys (sold in pet stores)
Nylon bones
Cardboard
Hay cubes
Seagrass
Untreated softwood
Coconut shells
Pumice stone
Unbleached loofah

If you give your hamster softwood, ensure it’s untreated and safe. It’s recommended to bake the wood on low heat and wash it before giving it to your hamster.

Giving your hamster random branches can be dangerous. They can get splinters, injuries, and other dental problems.

Check Your Hamster’s Teeth Regularly

There’s always a risk of tooth overgrowth and other dental problems. It’s best to catch the signs early on to prevent incoming dental issues.

When inspecting your hamster’s teeth, restrain them carefully to avoid getting bitten and hurting the creature. Check for the following problems:

Misalignment
Breakage
Overgrowth
Odd teeth colors (dark brown, black, white).

If you see any of these signs, bring them to the veterinarian.

If possible, schedule a regular or annual vet checkup. Experts may catch signs you may have missed and treat them accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Hamster teeth are normally yellow because of the enamel that protects them. This also means you don’t need to brush your hamster’s teeth – as long as they are fed a healthy diet, they should be able to maintain good oral health. However, you may have to consult a veterinarian if their teeth appear dark brown, black, or white.