Dental problems in rabbits

Overview

• Dental problems are common in pet rabbits and are usually caused by a diet that’s too low in fibre.
• Common problems include overgrown teeth, spurs, tooth root abscesses, and broken teeth.
• Rabbits tend to hide pain, so unfortunately dental disease often goes unnoticed until it’s severe – for this reason, it’s important to regularly check your rabbit’s teeth at home, and have them examined by your vet a few times a year.
• The best way to prevent dental problems is to feed your rabbits a well-balanced diet, high in fibre.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dental disease in rabbits include:

• Overgrown teeth
• Weight loss
• A dirty bottom – because grooming becomes difficult and painful
• Diarrhoea or soft faeces
• Weepy eyes
• Drooling
• Reduced appetite
• Tooth grinding
• A bumpy, painful jaw
• A runny nose
• Lethargy (low energy)

How to check your rabbit’s teeth

Rabbits naturally try to hide pain so it’s important to check their teeth regularly. Ask your vet to check them a few times a year and do it yourself once a week.

Types of dental disease in rabbits

Overgrown front teeth

• Your rabbit’s front teeth (incisors) are for picking up and cutting food.
• If they become overgrown your rabbit will have problems eating, drinking, grooming, and closing their mouth.
• If your rabbit’s front teeth are overgrown, it’s very likely their back teeth are as well.

Overgrown back teeth

• Your rabbit’s back teeth (molars) are for grinding food.
• When they overgrow they develop sharp edges called spurs. Spurs dig into the cheeks and tongue, causing painful sores.

Tooth root abscesses

• A tooth root abscess is a painful infection around a tooth root where it sits in the jaw.
• The earlier a tooth root abscess is treated the better the chance of recovery. Unfortunately they can be extremely difficult to treat and often require a long course of treatment, and sometimes surgery.
• Unfortunately, many tooth root abscesses never fully resolve.

Tooth injuries

• If your rabbit breaks a tooth while fighting or gnawing on something hard, it may need to be removed.
• Overgrown and unhealthy teeth are much more likely to break and get damaged.

Diagnosis

Your vet will need to look inside your rabbit’s mouth to check for dental problems, some very calm rabbits will allow this to be done while they are awake, but most need an anaesthetic to be fully examined. 

Treatment

The exact treatment your rabbit needs will depend on what is wrong, but often involves:

Tooth trimming – If your rabbit’s teeth are overgrown, or have spurs (spikes that stick into their gums or tongue), they will need to have them trimmed under anaesthetic. Never attempt to treat or trim your rabbit’s teeth at home - you could crack a root, which will cause severe pain and long-term problems.

Tooth removal – if any of your rabbit’s teeth are damaged or growing at the wrong angle they may need to be removed. Similarly, if they have any tooth root abscesses they may need some teeth removed. Tooth removal in a rabbit is complex surgery because they have small mouths, long tooth roots, and delicate jaw bones.

Medication – Dental problems are very painful so usually require pain relief. Antibiotics may also be necessary if your rabbit also has a tooth root abscess or an infection inside their mouth.

Syringe feeding – If your rabbit is struggling to eat, you may need to syringe feed them for a short while.

Grooming – If your rabbit’s dental problems are causing them to drool more than usual you will need to keep their chin dry to prevent them from developing sores. If they are struggling to clean themselves you will also need to groom them and keep their bottom clean.

When to contact your vet

• Contact your vet straight away if you notice any problems with your rabbit’s teeth or gums.
• Never wait to see if your rabbit improves - dental disease is very painful and left untreated can cause major problems such as gut stasis.

Preventing dental disease in rabbits

Feed a well-balanced diet

• One of the best ways to prevent dental disease in rabbits is to feed them a diet very high in fibre (grass and hay).
• Check out our feeding guide for more information.

Check your rabbit’s teeth regularly

• Check your rabbit’s teeth at home, at least once a week.
• Ideally, also have them checked by your vet a few times a year but, if this isn’t possible, once a year as a minimum.
• For more information, check out our page on how to check your rabbit’s teeth.

Cost

Treating a rabbit with dental problems can become very expensive because it tends to be an ongoing problem that requires lifelong treatment and check-ups. Always speak to your vet if you can’t afford the treatment they have recommended because there may be other options.

We strongly recommend taking out insurance for your rabbits as soon as you get them, before any problems develop. Always check if your insurance policy covers dental disease.

FAQs

Published: February 2023