GliderCENTRAL

Suggie teeth???

Posted By: Anonymous

Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 04:40 AM

I heard that a sugar glider's teeth will constantly grow through out their lives. I also heard that it can kill them if left alone. What do you guys give your suggies to chew on for this problem? dunno I heard from some book that you can give them reg. milk-bones.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 04:50 AM

Glider's teeth aren't like a hamster's or a mouse's or something, they're like ours - those teeth are the only ones they're ever going to have, and it's a myth that their teeth just keep growing and growing. Also, make sure that you NEVER have their teeth trimmed - it's painful and cruel!!!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 05:19 AM

I have not heard of this before. Actually I have only heard the opposit of what you are being told. I would not give my gliders milk bones because it is not made for gliders. There are LOTS of dry foods on the market made for gliders if you are wanting to give them something harder if you are concerned about their teeth. However, most dry foods suggest softening them with juice or other liquid so they are not so hard. If I were you I would do some searching on the net because I think who ever is giving you advice was a little confused smile
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 05:33 AM

Sugar Glider teeth do NOT continue to grow and should NEVER be trimmed.

Some (maybe all) rodent teeth do that, but Suggies are NOT rodents. They are marsupials and their teeth do not grow or replace themselves. It is currently recommended that you feed mealies several times a week to aid in tooth cleaning.

Do NOT ever have a suggie's teeth trimmed.

Angel cloud9
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 05:46 AM

I wasn't suggesting to trim their teeth...I think that is a horrible thing to do to an animal and they have to be put under to do go through that. I know they are marsupials, but the breeder that I got them from told me that their teeth will grow throughout their lives. I can't help that the breeder that I got them from didn't know what he was doing and I am finding out that most of the things I was told are false.

Thank you guys for answering my question.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 06:29 AM

I wasn't trying to sound mean, and I know that you weren't suggesting that you were planning on having their teeth trimmed; I just mentioned it because a lot of people who are incorrectly told that glider's teeth continue to grow are also often told that they should have them cut, and considering how incredibly painful this is for a glider I just wanted to make sure that you knew specifically how bad this is to do - sorry you got jumped with that. But yes, your breeder is incorrect; some gliders chew simply because they like to chew, but it doesn't have anything at all to do with growth, so.

(And I know how hard it is to get the proper information, considering how much bad information is circulating out there, so I do aplaud you for looking into it instead of taking everything your breeder said at face value! thumb )
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 01:45 PM

That's scary that a breeder is telling people that. Like others have said, glider's teeth do not continue to grow. Unlike humans or something like puppies, though, they only get one set--the set they are born with. If they lose those, they are gone.

I don't think anyone was trying to be mean when saying don't trim or float their teeth--or even suggesting that you would have it done. There are just so many horror stories about it being done. Could you imagine having your teeth filed or clipped? I've heard of gliders who have had it done multiple times. You'd think that at least the VET of all people would notice and be like, "wow, they don't appear to have grown since the LAST 8 TIMES WE DID THIS?" Even sicker than getting it done because of the plain lack of knowledge is people being told to get their teeth trimmed to prevent biting--and then actually doing it. To me, that is animal cruelty, and you are crippling the glider, causing unnecessary pain, and inhibiting their ability to eat normally.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 05:14 PM

Originally Posted By: ElusiveAngel
I can't help that the breeder that I got them from didn't know what he was doing and I am finding out that most of the things I was told are false.


That is a problem that a lot of people seem to face. It is definitely something that you cannot blame yourself for. About 5 years ago i received my first pair from some people who felt they could not keep them any longer. If I only knew then what I know now things would have been totally different for them. It is a good thing you found this site because i think that it offers a lot of great information for those of us who managed to get misinformed smile
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 05:22 PM

I was misinformed also about glider teeth when I got my first glider, unfortunately there is a lot of miss information out there…
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 06:12 PM

so when a suggie loses his teeth.. he's going to be teethless for the rest of their lifes..?
I know thier teeths dont grow. but i didnt know that they dont get replace with a new one.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 06:18 PM

Originally Posted By: suggiesuggie
so when a suggie loses his teeth.. he's going to be teethless for the rest of their lifes..?
I know thier teeths dont grow. but i didnt know that they dont get replace with a new one.


That's right. Check out the recent threads on peridontal problems in gliders. There are also probably a few under special needs. Once they lose a tooth, it's not coming back, so they may require a special, softer diet. Dental health is VERY important in gliders, so it's good to offer things like mealworms or branches to chew, both of which act as a toothbrush. It's also good to have your glider to the vet, not just for sickness, but routinely. During the wellness exam, the vet should take a look at the teeth.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 06:24 PM

ok...yeah they have branches in their cage and they eat mealworms.
what causes them to lose their tooth?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 07:00 PM

Causes aren't necessarily known. I believe some may be genetic, diet related, and others are just due to poor dental care and not getting them checked before the problems get bad. I'd read the posts on peridontal care for more info--people who have experienced it in their gliders know WAY more than me.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 07:33 PM

Thanks guys! I'm sorry if I got a little offended, but I just didn't want all of you to think that I was a bad suggie owner. I just can't believe that just about everything my breeder told me was wrong. You would think a breeder would be the one place where you can get good information! I'm so happy I found this place and I have been learning everday and I know that my suggies are happier because of it!

I'm glad that mealworms are both a healthy part of their diet but also act as a tooth brush. I would have never put those two together!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 07:41 PM

Granted, I don't believe I would ever hang up my toothbrush for mealworms and branches... I'll stick with minty fresh breath and a good scrubbing.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 07:47 PM

lol! I'm with you on that one!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Suggie teeth??? - 01/16/07 07:54 PM

I just thought of something...the breeder that I got my suggies from told us a story about a sugar glider dying from it's teeth getting too long! It was a very sad story! I don't get why people make up things like that!? I guess they are trying to sound smart or something.
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