Why does my guinea pig have buck teeth?

Pet rodents—hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, and guinea pigs—are very popular pets. Common to these pets is large front teeth, called incisors, which grow continuously throughout the pet’s life. Overgrown incisors are a common problem and can be prevented by allowing the pet to chew on pieces of wood chewing sticks. Often a veterinary surgeon (a pet doctor) can trim these front teeth. Rodents are herbivorous (plant-eating) animals, and the digestive tract is, in some ways, similar to that of other plant-eaters, such as horses and cattle. They love to use their front teeth to nibble and chew!