Why dental disease is so common in companion rabbits and how proper diet and veterinary care can prevent and manage this painful condition.
Rabbit dental welfare is frequently compromised by diets that do not provide adequate hay for tooth wearing, combined with breed-specific skull conformation problems. As teeth grow continuously, inadequate wearing leads to malocclusion, sharp spurs that lacerate the tongue and cheeks, and eventually abscess formation. The pain from dental disease significantly reduces quality of life. Prevention centers on unlimited hay provision, supplemented by leafy greens, with muesli-type commercial foods avoided. Regular veterinary dental checks enable early detection.