Dental Disease in Companion Rabbits

Dental disease is the most common serious health problem in companion rabbits. The design of rabbit teeth means dental problems are nearly inevitable without proper diet and vigilance.

Key Facts

Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives and require constant wearing through hay consumption
Dental malocclusion — teeth that do not meet properly — prevents normal wearing and leads to painful spurs and spikes
An estimated 60-80% of companion rabbits experience dental disease at some point in their lives
Facial abscesses from tooth root disease are common, painful, and difficult to treat successfully
Diet is the primary preventive factor — hay should make up 80% of a rabbit's diet to maintain tooth wear

Welfare Considerations

Rabbit dental disease is a welfare crisis rooted in the fundamental incompatibility between rabbit tooth design and typical companion animal diets. Rabbit teeth are evolved for continuous wearing through coarse grass hay — in the absence of adequate hay consumption, teeth grow excessively, develop sharp points, and cause painful mouth ulcers, cheek lacerations, and eventually jaw abscesses. The pain of dental disease is severe and affects eating, grooming, and social behavior. Many cases are diagnosed late because rabbits mask illness. Veterinary dental treatment under general anaesthesia is required for established disease, carrying its own anaesthetic risks. Prevention through hay-based diet is far more effective and welfare-positive than treatment.

What You Can Do

Ensure rabbits have unlimited access to fresh grass hay — this is the single most important preventive measure
Have rabbits examined by a rabbit-experienced veterinarian annually with dental assessment
Monitor eating behavior and faecal output daily as early signs of dental pain
Minimize pellets and vegetables which do not provide adequate tooth wear
Seek prompt veterinary care for any rabbit showing reduced food intake or jaw swelling