Companion Animals

Companion Rabbit Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in pet rabbits, driven largely by inappropriate diets lacking adequate hay, causing lifelong suffering.

Key Facts

Rabbit teeth grow continuously and require constant wear from fibrous food
Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet to maintain dental health
Muesli-style foods cause selective feeding and insufficient tooth wear
Dental spurs and malocclusion cause pain, reduced food intake, and weight loss
Annual dental checks under sedation can detect problems before they become severe

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease is often silent until advanced, causing chronic pain. Prevention through diet is far more effective and less stressful than treatment.

What You Can Do

Provide unlimited fresh hay as the primary component of a rabbit's diet
Avoid muesli or high-sugar commercial diets
Schedule annual veterinary dental checks from a young age
Learn signs of dental pain including reduced appetite and facial swelling