Rabbit Dental Disease and Welfare

Dental disease is the most common and welfare-significant health problem in domestic rabbits. Understanding the causes and signs enables early intervention that dramatically improves quality of life.

Key Facts

Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that require appropriate diet and wear to remain healthy
Dental disease causes malocclusion, overgrown spurs, and root abscessation that are painful and progressive
Low-fiber diets — insufficient hay — are the primary cause of acquired dental disease in domestic rabbits
Clinical signs include reduced appetite, drooling, wet chin, weight loss, and reluctance to groom
Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet — it provides the grinding action needed for normal tooth wear

Welfare Considerations

Rabbit dental disease is one of the most common and devastating welfare problems in companion rabbit populations. The condition is progressive, painful, and largely preventable. A rabbit with advanced dental disease experiences chronic oral pain that affects every aspect of their life — they cannot eat normally, cannot groom, and often withdraw from social interaction. The tragedy is that most cases are caused by inappropriate diet: rabbits fed primarily pellets without adequate hay develop malocclusion because their teeth do not wear correctly. Correcting the diet from an early age prevents the majority of acquired dental problems. Regular veterinary dental checks detect early problems before they become established.

What You Can Do

Provide unlimited hay as the primary component of your rabbit's diet — hay should make up at least 80% of intake
Offer hay varieties including timothy, meadow, and orchard grass for nutritional and dental variety
Schedule annual dental checks with a rabbit-savvy vet from age 2 onwards
Watch for signs of dental pain: reduced appetite, wet chin, dropping food, or changes in eating behavior
Do not rely on pellets as a primary diet — they do not provide adequate dental wear