Dental disease is the most common health problem in pet rabbits, caused primarily by inappropriate diet and genetics, with prevention through correct diet and early veterinary detection being essential.
Dental disease causes chronic pain in pet rabbits that is frequently unrecognized because rabbits continue eating and behaving normally despite significant oral discomfort. Weight loss, selective eating, and dropping food may be the only observable signs until disease is advanced. The primary cause is inappropriate diet - insufficient hay and too many pellets and vegetables - that fails to provide the grinding action needed for normal dental wear. Prevention through correct diet from the start of a rabbit's life is highly effective. Once dental disease is established it typically requires lifelong management through regular veterinary dental checks and occasional treatment.