Teeth Whitening for Rodents
The Brits have a reputation for being a bit barmy over their pets. But teeth whitening for a hamster is surely a step too far?
Surveys in the past have revealed the extent of British insanity (or eccentricity) when it comes to their pets. Dogs in particular can inspire bizarre behaviour in their owners who can often treat (and talk to them) like children, rather than animals. Some owners dress their dogs up in outfits to match their own (Paris Hilton being the most high profile culprit). But teeth whitening for pets is surely a step too far?
Teeth Whitening for Hamsters?
And of all the pets you might consider to give a cosmetic procedure like teeth whitening to, hamsters would surely be at the bottom of the list. But according to Pete Wedderburn, a qualified vet who writes for the Saturday Telegraph health and lifestyle pages, one reader asked him if it was possible to have his pet hamster’s teeth whitened. In all his 25 years as a vet teeth whitening hadn’t been on the agenda before, and it reflects perhaps the huge sea change in recent years as teeth whitening becomes as accessible and popular as facials or other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. There’s simply a wider knowledge of teeth whitening in the UK today.
Only in America?
But as the British vet clarified in the newspaper, vets don’t offer teeth whitening services for any animals as cosmetic treatments simply aren’t considered suitable for animals. The hamster owner explained that he felt disappointed in his hamster’s stained teeth when he took photos of the pet. Teeth whitening may not be on the cards for hamsters (not yet anyway!) but dentition for pets however is an important part of caring for your animal. The President of the Mammal Society told Pete Wedderburn that discoloured teeth in rodents is normal. Yellow and orange teeth are part of the hamster’s make up with its ever-growing, gnawing teeth. The teeth are also self sharpening with thin enamel around the sides and back of the teeth. The vet concludes why cosmetic dentistry shouldn’t be considered for hamsters: “Normal healthy young human teeth are white, hence tooth whitening has a point. Normal hamster teeth are never white: white teeth in the hamster world would be like blackened teeth in the human world.” So if you’re thinking of trying to make your pet more human, think again!
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