Dental disease is the most common health problem in pet rabbits and is largely preventable through appropriate diet and early veterinary care.
Rabbit dental disease causes chronic progressive pain that significantly impairs quality of life. Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits have continuously growing teeth throughout their lives that require constant wear through hay chewing to maintain correct length and alignment. Diets based on pellets and vegetables without adequate hay prevent this wear, allowing teeth to overgrow and misalign. Overgrown cheek teeth cause painful lacerations of the tongue and cheeks, making eating increasingly painful and difficult. Because rabbits are stoic prey animals that conceal weakness, dental disease often progresses significantly before owners notice changes. Regular veterinary dental examinations — ideally every six months — are essential for early detection.