Dental disease is the most common serious health problem in companion rabbits, causing chronic pain that is frequently unrecognised by owners. Understanding and preventing dental disease is key to rabbit welfare.
Companion rabbit dental disease is a welfare emergency hiding in plain sight. Because rabbits are prey species that conceal pain, owners often do not recognise dental suffering until it is advanced. A rabbit quietly sitting in a corner with reduced appetite may be experiencing agonising tooth spurs cutting its tongue with every movement. The primary prevention is dietary: unlimited hay provides the abrasive chewing action needed to wear teeth evenly. Pellets and treats are not substitutes and should be minimised. Rabbit-experienced veterinary dental care, including regular examinations and tooth filing under anaesthesia if needed, is essential. Brachycephalic rabbit breeds such as lionheads and lops have anatomically predisposed dental problems and require particular care.