Rabbit Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in pet rabbits, causing chronic pain that is often missed by owners unfamiliar with rabbit behaviour.

Key Facts

Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that must be worn down through prolonged fibre chewing — primarily hay.
Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) leads to overgrown molars that lacerate cheek and tongue tissue causing severe pain.
Dental disease in rabbits often presents subtly: reduced appetite, preference for soft foods, and decreased grooming.
An estimated 70% of pet rabbits will develop some form of dental disease during their lifetime.
Hay should constitute 80-90% of a rabbit's diet — this single factor is most important for dental health.

Welfare Considerations

Rabbit dental disease causes chronic, often severe pain that is easily missed. Prey animals like rabbits hide illness, meaning owners may not notice problems until disease is advanced. Because dental disease is largely preventable through appropriate diet, the welfare burden is particularly significant — most cases could be avoided if rabbits received the unlimited hay their digestive and dental systems require. Regular veterinary dental checks catch problems early before they become debilitating.

What You Can Do

Ensure your rabbit has unlimited access to high-quality hay at all times as their primary diet.
Schedule annual veterinary examinations including dental assessment for your rabbit.
Reduce pellets and treats in your rabbit's diet — these do not provide the fibre needed for tooth wear.
Learn the subtle signs of rabbit dental pain: tooth grinding, wet chin, reduced eating, hunched posture.