Dental disease is the most common welfare problem in companion rabbits and is almost entirely preventable through appropriate hay-based feeding.
Rabbit dental welfare depends almost entirely on feeding practice. Rabbits whose diet is based on unlimited grass hay maintain tooth wear patterns that prevent the malocclusion and spur formation that cause chronic oral pain. Rabbits fed primarily pellets or vegetables do not achieve the grinding action needed for healthy tooth wear, and the resulting dental disease progresses silently — rabbits stop eating gradually rather than displaying obvious pain. The preventability of rabbit dental disease through proper feeding makes it one of the most frustrating common welfare problems in companion animal practice, and owner education is the primary solution.