Rabbit Teeth Problems: Signs and Care

Quick answer

Rabbit teeth grow all their lives, and they only stay the right shape if the rabbit eats plenty of hay and grass. When they wear unevenly they overgrow or form sharp spikes that cut the tongue and cheeks. Early signs are subtle: picky eating, drooling, a wet chin, runny eyes and smaller droppings. Any change in eating needs a vet check, and prevention starts with unlimited hay.

How rabbit teeth work

A rabbit has 28 teeth. You only see the large front incisors, but behind them sit two small peg teeth and, further back, rows of cheek teeth (premolars and molars) that do most of the work. All of them grow continuously. The front teeth grow at around 2 mm a week (under 1/10 inch), which adds up fast if they are not being worn down.

In a healthy rabbit, the teeth wear against each other as the rabbit chews tough, fibrous food with a wide, side-to-side grinding motion. Grass and hay are ideal for this. Pellets, muesli mixes and soft foods are eaten quickly with much less grinding, so the teeth wear less and unevenly.

Common problems

Overgrown incisors. If the front teeth don't meet properly, they keep growing past each other. They can curl into the gums or lips and make it impossible to pick up food. Some rabbits are born with misaligned jaws; others develop it from back-teeth problems or injury.

Spurs on the cheek teeth. Uneven wear leaves sharp points on the edges of the back teeth. Spurs on the lower teeth tend to dig into the tongue, and those on the upper teeth into the cheeks. They are painful and are usually invisible without a vet's examination.

Elongated roots. The roots can grow deeper into the jaw. In the upper jaw they can press on the tear duct, which runs close to the tooth roots, causing a runny or sticky eye. In the lower jaw they may be felt as bumps along the jawline.

Tooth root abscesses. Infection around a tooth root forms a firm swelling on the face or jaw. These are painful and often hard to clear completely.

Broken teeth. A fall, chewing cage bars or a rough tooth-clipping can crack a tooth, leaving sharp edges and uneven regrowth.

Signs to watch for

Rabbits are prey animals and hide pain well, so dental disease is often advanced before anyone notices. Look for:

• choosing soft foods and leaving hay, or eating more slowly;
• dropping food from the mouth, or chewing on one side;
• drooling, a wet chin or neck, or matted, crusty fur on the inside of the front legs where they wipe their face;
• weight loss, even if the rabbit still seems interested in food;
• smaller, fewer or misshapen droppings;
• a runny, weepy or sticky eye, or a runny nose;
• a lump on the face or jaw;
• tooth grinding (louder than the soft purr of a contented rabbit) and hunched sitting;
• a dirty bottom, because grooming hurts;
• front teeth that look long, uneven, curved or broken.

Run your fingers gently along the jaw every week and lift the lips to look at the front teeth. They should be short, straight and meet neatly, uppers just in front of the lowers.

Why dental disease is serious

A rabbit with a sore mouth eats less, and a rabbit that eats less can quickly slip into gut stasis, which is an emergency. If your rabbit has stopped eating or pooping, read GI stasis in rabbits and call a vet right away. Dental disease can also lead to weight loss, eye infections, abscesses and flystrike, because a rabbit that can't groom gets a soiled rear end that attracts flies.

What the vet typically does

The vet will look at the front teeth and use an otoscope or speculum to see the back teeth. Many rabbits need sedation or a general anaesthetic for a proper look, and X-rays or CT scans to check the roots and jaw.

Treatment depends on the problem:

• Burring overgrown teeth or spurs back to a normal shape with a dental drill, under anaesthetic.
• Removing badly misaligned incisors or diseased teeth in some cases. Rabbits manage well without incisors if their food is cut up for them.
• Pain relief, and antibiotics if there is infection.
• Abscess treatment, which can be complex and may need surgery and repeated visits.
• Syringe feeding with a recovery food while the mouth heals.

Rabbits with ongoing problems often need regular dental work, sometimes every few weeks, for life. Follow your vet's plan and dosing exactly, and never clip teeth with clippers at home.

Prevention

Most acquired dental disease is linked to diet. The basics, covered more fully in Rabbit Care for Beginners, look like this:

• Unlimited hay or grass, making up most of the diet. A rough guide is a pile of hay about the size of the rabbit every day.
• A small, measured portion of plain pellets, not a muesli mix.
• A variety of leafy greens and herbs daily.
• Treats kept to a minimum, especially sugary fruit and carrots.
• Wooden chews and safe branches to gnaw, as an extra.
• A weekly check at home and a vet check at least once a year.

When choosing a rabbit, ask about the parents' teeth and avoid any rabbit with visibly misaligned incisors. Short-faced breeds such as Netherland Dwarfs and lops are more prone to inherited problems.

When to see a vet

Book a vet visit within a day or two if your rabbit:

• is eating less hay or picking only soft foods;
• has a wet chin, drooling or crusty front legs;
• has a weepy eye or runny nose;
• has teeth that look long, crooked or broken;
• has lost weight.

Go the same day if your rabbit:

• has stopped eating or passing droppings;
• has a swelling on the face or jaw;
• is hunched, grinding its teeth loudly or reluctant to move;
• has a soiled rear end with any sign of fly eggs or maggots.

Looking for a rabbit? Ask the seller about diet and teeth before you commit; you can find small-pet listings on Paalo.