Dental disease is the most common serious health problem in companion rabbits, causing chronic pain and malnutrition that is often unrecognised until severe — and is largely preventable through appropriate diet and housing.
Dental disease in rabbits causes chronic pain and gradual deterioration that owners frequently attribute to ageing or pickiness rather than illness. A rabbit eating less, losing weight, or avoiding certain foods is often experiencing significant oral pain — symptoms that require veterinary assessment rather than dietary adjustment alone. The tragedy of rabbit dental disease is that it is largely preventable through a hay-based diet, yet the pet food industry has historically promoted muesli mixes that are both palatable and harmful. Owner education about the relationship between diet and dental health is the most important welfare intervention available for companion rabbits.