Unlike human teeth, which have roots and stay put through adulthood, a rabbit's teeth are considered “open rooted” and will grow continuously throughout its life. Because of this, rabbits rely on proper diet and normal chewing to keep their teeth worn down.

Healthy teeth are essential for much more than eating, though—they also allow rabbits to groom themselves properly and support their overall well-being. Rabbit dental disease is one of the most common health problems seen in pet rabbits and it can quickly become painful if left untreated. If your rabbit is in pain, visit VEG ER for Pets. We'll help ease your rabbit's symptoms until you can seek specialized dental care.

While not every dental problem can be prevented, feeding your rabbit a high-fiber diet, scheduling regular veterinary checkups, and recognizing the early signs of dental disease can greatly reduce the risk of serious complications. In this blog, we’ll sink our teeth into the topic of dental disease in rabbits and how to recognize when it’s an emergency.

What do healthy teeth look like in rabbits?

Healthy rabbit teeth should be properly aligned with upper incisors sitting just in front of the lower incisors. The lower incisors should occlude with a second set of upper incisors called “peg teeth.” Rabbit teeth should be off-white to creamy with a smooth, chisel-like edge and no cracks or chips. The teeth should also not be excessively long or curved—overgrown incisors in rabbits may protrude from the mouth, curl, or prevent the rabbit from closing its mouth normally.

Rabbit rely on constant chewing to wear their teeth down naturally.

What are the most common causes of dental disease in rabbits?

Since rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives (approximately 3 millimeters per week!), they rely on constant chewing to naturally wear their teeth down. For normal wear to occur, a rabbit’s upper and lower teeth must align correctly, which is unfortunately not always the case.

Common causes of rabbit dental disease are:

• Genetics and jaw conformation (size, shape, symmetry, and alignment)

• Poor tooth alignment (malocclusion)

• Diets too low in hay/fiber

• Trauma to the mouth or jaw

• Age-related changes

Signs your rabbit may have dental disease

Dental disease in rabbits is often silent until it becomes serious. Symptoms tend to develop gradually, but because rabbits are prey animals, they may hide signs of pain or weakness until an illness has become advanced.

Keep an eye out for any changes to your rabbit’s diet, physical appearance, or daily routine—even the most subtle changes warrant a visit to the vet.

Common signs of dental disease in rabbits include: 

• Eating more slowly

• Dropping food while chewing

• Preferring softer foods

• Reduced appetite

• Weight loss

• Excessive drooling or wet chin

• Bad breath

• Reduced grooming or matted fur

• Swelling along the jaw or face (may indicate a tooth abscess)

• Eye discharge (overgrown tooth roots can affect tear ducts)

• Less activity than normal

• Smaller or fewer fecal pellets

When does rabbit dental disease become an emergency?

Some cases of dental disease in rabbits require immediate veterinary care. Rabbits can become critically ill very quickly if dental pain prevents them from eating, so it's important to recognize the warning signs and bring them to your nearest VEG ER for Pets emergency animal hospital right away for an evaluation. VEG does not treat dental disease, but can evaluate your pet and recommend a dental specialist.

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your rabbit:

• Stops eating completely

• Has not produced fecal pellets for several hours

• Appears bloated or has a swollen abdomen

• Shows severe facial swelling or a lump along the jaw

• Has heavy drooling and cannot eat

• Is grinding their teeth loudly from pain

• Appears weak, collapsed, or unresponsive

• Has difficulty breathing

• Experiences significant bleeding from the mouth

• Shows signs of severe pain

Rabbits can rapidly develop gastrointestinal (GI) stasis when they stop eating, and GI stasis can quickly become life-threatening. In addition, dental abscesses can spread and lead to serious infections. Even severe dental pain on its own can cause a dangerous decline in appetite and gut function in rabbits. Knowing the symptoms of dental disease in rabbits and seeking prompt emergency veterinary treatment can give your rabbit their best chance for a successful recovery and help prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

How is dental disease in rabbits treated?

At our emergency animal hospitals, you’ll see a vet right away—and you can even stay right by your pet’s side the whole time. Our experienced emergency vets will work to stabilize your rabbit and offer treatment in the form of pain management, hydration, and supportive care, and nutritional recommendations before providing a referral to a dental specialist.

Visiting a dental specialist will ensure your rabbit gets the imaging required for a formal diagnosis of dental disease, like a 5-view skull series x-ray, CT scan, or MRI, which are not currently offered at VEG. 

Can rabbits recover from dental disease?

Unfortunately, most rabbits do not recover from dental disease. The good news is that while most rabbits with dental disease will require ongoing dental care throughout their life, early diagnosis and prompt treatment generally leads to better outcomes for your rabbit’s long-term comfort and quality of life.

VEG ER For Pets does not treat dental disease, but can evaluate your rabbit and refer you to a dental specialist.

Can dental disease in rabbits be prevented?

While some rabbits are genetically predisposed to dental problems, regular monitoring and the right care at home can significantly reduce the risk of dental disease in rabbits.

Provide a balanced diet & unlimited grass hay

The majority of your bunny’s diet should consist of unlimited grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, or meadow hay. Constant chewing helps wear down teeth naturally. Pair grass hay with a balanced diet that includes fresh leafy greens, an appropriate amount of high-quality rabbit pellets, and fresh water available to them at all times.

Offer safe opportunities to chew

Rabbit-safe chew toys, untreated wood, cardboard, and other enrichment items encourage natural chewing behaviors that help keep teeth healthy.

Schedule routine veterinary exams

Regular wellness exams are essential for detecting rabbit dental disease early. Some dental abnormalities develop below the gumline, making them impossible to spot during at-home checks. Routine veterinary visits allow issues to be identified and treated before they become more painful, complex, and costly, helping your rabbit maintain a healthy mouth and a better quality of life.

VEG ER for Pets treats emergencies for all pets—including rabbits

Dental disease in rabbits is common but often manageable, and the risk of developing it can be reduced through proper diet, enrichment, and routine veterinary care. If you notice your cotton-tailed companion has less of an appetite than usual or appears to be dealing with a dental emergency, hop into your nearest VEG. We’re open 24/7 for pet emergencies big and small (and furry and scaly). We’re even open on holidays so you never have to delay getting care for your bunny.