Dental disease is the most common health problem in pet rabbits and a major source of chronic pain — proper diet and early veterinary detection are the cornerstones of dental welfare in this species.
Rabbit dental welfare is an almost universal concern among veterinarians who work with the species. The combination of open-rooted teeth, species-specific chewing mechanics, and widespread feeding of nutritionally inadequate diets creates a dental disease epidemic in pet rabbits. The solution is dietary: 80%+ hay, ad libitum, is not negotiable for dental health. Yet most rabbit owners feed primarily pellets — concentrated, quickly consumed food that does not engage the lateral chewing motion needed for tooth wear. The welfare consequences of dental disease — chronic oral pain that cannot be expressed normally — are severe and prolonged. Prevention through proper diet and annual veterinary dental checks prevents enormous suffering.