Dental disease is the most common cause of chronic pain and illness in rabbits, and it is largely preventable through appropriate diet and early detection, making it a central rabbit welfare priority.
Rabbit dental disease represents a preventable welfare crisis. The condition causes chronic pain that rabbits mask effectively, meaning many affected animals suffer for extended periods before owners seek veterinary care. The disease is largely caused by inappropriate feeding - insufficient hay and excessive pellets or sugary treats. Owners who feed appropriate high-hay diets dramatically reduce their rabbits' lifetime dental disease risk. Regular veterinary dental examinations detect problems early, when treatment is more effective and less invasive. Prevention through appropriate husbandry is far more effective than treatment of established disease.