Dental disease is the most common serious health condition in companion rabbits, causing chronic pain that is often undetected. Hay-based diets are the most important preventive measure.
Rabbit dental disease causes significant chronic pain that is often missed by owners because rabbits instinctively hide illness. A rabbit with severe dental pain may appear normal until the condition is advanced. Dental disease causes not just oral pain but secondary gastrointestinal problems from reduced food intake, further compounding suffering. The primary cause is a muesli-based diet that allows selective feeding, leaving hay uneaten. Transitioning to a hay-only diet and providing regular veterinary dental checks are the most impactful welfare interventions for companion rabbits.