Dental disease is the most common health problem in domestic rabbits, yet it remains poorly understood by many owners. Malocclusion, overgrown teeth, and dental abscesses cause chronic pain that profoundly affects rabbit welfare.
Rabbit dental disease is a pervasive welfare problem compounded by poor public awareness and the species' tendency to mask pain. Rabbits with dental disease typically reduce food intake, lose weight, develop secondary gut stasis (a life-threatening condition), and spend less time grooming and engaging socially. Chronic dental pain causes persistent suffering that may go unrecognised for months. The problem is partly an industry-created welfare crisis: selective breeding for compact facial anatomy in dwarf and lop breeds creates structural malocclusion that is virtually inevitable. Many affected rabbits require repeated anaesthetic dental procedures throughout their lives. Prevention through appropriate diet and breed selection, and early detection through regular veterinary oral examinations, are essential.