Dental disease is the most common welfare problem in pet rabbits - correct diet and genetics prevent most cases, but treatment requires skilled exotic vet care.
Rabbit dental disease is pervasive and causes chronic suffering that owners frequently miss because rabbits hide pain. The preventable core of dental disease is dietary: rabbits fed insufficient hay develop irregular dental wear, leading to spurs and malocclusion. Dwarf breeds have genetically compromised dental anatomy. Owners who provide unlimited hay, regular veterinary dental checks, and avoid dwarf breeds with known dental problems protect their rabbits from one of the most common welfare harms in companion rabbit keeping.