Dental disease is the most common and often fatal health problem in domestic rabbits. Understanding its causes and prevention saves rabbit lives and reduces significant chronic suffering.
Rabbit dental disease is one of the most devastating welfare problems in companion animals because it is largely preventable, progresses slowly and painfully, and often goes undetected until the rabbit is critically ill. Rabbits hide illness as prey species, meaning obvious signs of dental pain emerge late in disease progression. By the time owners notice their rabbit is losing weight or drooling, dental disease may have been causing chronic pain for months. The primary prevention is entirely within owner control: unlimited access to long-stem hay and a diet that does not rely heavily on pellets. This simple dietary management, if universally adopted, would prevent the majority of dental disease in domestic rabbits and eliminate enormous amounts of preventable suffering.