Dental disease is the most common welfare problem in domestic rabbits, with malocclusion and acquired dental disease causing chronic pain that requires lifelong management in affected animals.
Rabbit dental disease causes chronic pain that is frequently undetected until advanced because rabbits suppress pain signs as prey animals. The combination of complex dental anatomy, continuous tooth growth, and breed-related skull compression creates conditions where dental welfare problems are nearly inevitable in many domestic rabbit populations. Prevention through appropriate feeding is effective for some forms of dental disease but cannot overcome genetic predisposition in compromised skull conformations. Welfare-centered rabbit care requires accepting that certain breeds carry inherent dental welfare burdens that prospective owners should understand before acquiring these animals.