Rabbit teeth are remarkable. Unlike ours, they never stop growing, and they can grow several millimeters each week. In a healthy rabbit, constant chewing wears them down at the same rate. When something upsets that balance, dental problems can develop quickly and quietly.
Dental disease is one of the most common reasons rabbits visit Arlington Animal Clinic. This guide explains the teeth problems we see most often, the early warning signs, and how rabbit owners in Arlington, Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Belmont can help prevent them.
How Rabbit Teeth Work
Rabbits have 28 teeth. The large front incisors are the ones you can see, but most of the work happens at the back of the mouth, where the cheek teeth grind hay into fine pieces. Because the cheek teeth are hidden deep in a narrow mouth, problems there are very hard for owners to spot.
Rabbits also have a small second pair of incisors, called peg teeth, tucked behind the upper front teeth.
The Most Common Rabbit Teeth Problems
Molar Spurs
When the cheek teeth do not wear evenly, sharp points called spurs form along their edges. These spurs can cut the tongue and cheeks, making eating painful. Molar spurs are the most common dental problem we treat in rabbits.
Overgrown or Misaligned Incisors
Incisors that do not meet correctly, called malocclusion, keep growing without wearing down. They may curl, grow into the gums or lips, or prevent the rabbit from picking up food. Some rabbits are born with this problem, particularly dwarf and lop breeds, while others develop it after an injury or from molar disease.
Elongated Tooth Roots
Rabbit teeth grow from roots deep in the jaw. When the crowns are not worn properly, pressure can push the roots further into the jawbone. This can cause bumps along the lower jaw, watery eyes, or blocked tear ducts.
Tooth Root Abscesses
Infections around the tooth roots can form abscesses, which often appear as a firm swelling on the jaw or face. Rabbit abscesses are notoriously difficult to treat and require prompt veterinary care.
Warning Signs of Dental Problems in Rabbits
- Eating less or choosing only soft foods
- Dropping food or chewing slowly
- Drooling or a wet, matted chin and chest fur
- Weight loss
- Fewer or smaller droppings
- Uneaten cecotropes (soft droppings) stuck around the rear end
- Watery eyes or discharge from one eye
- Swelling along the jaw or under the eye
- Tooth grinding, hunching, or hiding
Dental pain can cause a rabbit to stop eating, which can quickly lead to GI stasis, a life-threatening slowdown of the digestive system. A rabbit that has not eaten or passed droppings in 12 hours needs to be seen the same day.
Why Hay Is the Best Dental Care
The side-to-side grinding motion rabbits use to chew long strands of hay is exactly what keeps their cheek teeth worn down evenly. Pellets and treats crumble easily and do not provide the same wear.
- Offer unlimited grass hay, such as timothy or orchard grass, at all times
- Hay should make up about 80 percent of your rabbit’s diet
- Limit pellets to a small daily portion
- Offer a variety of fresh leafy greens
- Keep sugary treats and fruit to a minimum
- Provide safe chew items, such as untreated wood or willow
For more on rabbit diet and home care, read our guide on how to care for a pet rabbit.
How Rabbit Dental Problems Are Diagnosed and Treated
During a rabbit exam, we check the incisors, feel along the jaw, and use a special scope to look at the cheek teeth. Because the back of the mouth is so hard to see in an awake rabbit, a full assessment sometimes requires sedation or anesthesia, along with skull X-rays to evaluate the roots.
Treatment depends on the problem and may include filing down spurs, trimming or removing overgrown incisors, treating infection, pain relief, and nutritional support during recovery. Many rabbits with ongoing dental disease need routine rechecks to stay comfortable.
Please never try to clip your rabbit’s teeth at home. Clipping can crack the teeth and expose painful nerves.
Common Questions About Rabbit Teeth
How often should my rabbit’s teeth be checked?
At least once a year during a wellness exam. Rabbits with a history of dental disease may need checks every few months.
Can chew toys replace hay for dental health?
No. Chew toys help with the front teeth and boredom, but only hay provides the grinding motion the cheek teeth need.
Are some rabbits more likely to have dental problems?
Yes. Dwarf breeds, lops, and rabbits with shorter faces are more prone to malocclusion.
Do guinea pigs and chinchillas have the same problems?
They also have continuously growing teeth and can develop similar issues. See our small mammal care page for more.
When to Schedule a Visit with a Veterinarian
If your rabbit is eating less, drooling, or losing weight, or if they have not had a dental check in the past year, please reach out. Arlington Animal Clinic provides dedicated rabbit veterinary care at 191 Broadway in Arlington, MA. Call 781-646-0758 to book an exam.
