When it comes to rabbit health, diet and housing often get the most attention, but dental care is just as critical, if not more so. A rabbit’s teeth are constantly growing, and without the right balance of wear and nutrition, serious health issues can develop, often without obvious early signs.

In this blog, we’ll explore why dental health is so important for rabbits, how problems develop, and what you can do to keep your rabbit’s teeth in excellent condition.

Unlike humans, rabbits’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, typically around 2–3 mm per week. In the wild, this isn’t a problem. Rabbits spend hours grazing on fibrous plants, naturally wearing their teeth down. However, domestic rabbits often don’t get enough of the right type of fibre to maintain this balance.

When teeth don’t wear down properly, they can become overgrown, leading to a range of painful and potentially serious conditions.

Because rabbits are prey animals, they often hide signs of pain. So, by the time symptoms become obvious, the problem may already be advanced. Dental issues in rabbits are not just about the teeth, as they can end up affecting the entire body. If their teeth become overgrown it can often lead to pain and difficultly eating, leading to lower hay intake. If rabbits don’t eat enough hay it can cause weight loss and gut stasis. Other complications include eye and sinus infections due to tooth root overgrowth and abscesses in the jaw.

• Overgrown incisors - their front teeth may become too long if not properly worn down, sometimes visibly protruding or curling.
• Molar spurs - sharp points can develop on the back teeth, cutting into the cheeks or tongue and making chewing painful.
• Tooth root elongation - roots can grow into the jaw or even towards the eyes, causing swelling, discharge, and chronic discomfort.

Hay should make up at least 80–90% of a rabbit’s diet. The constant chewing motion required to break down fibrous hay is what naturally wears teeth down evenly. Brimming with coarse, tasty stems, premium quality timothy hay is perfect for keeping your rabbit’s teeth trim and healthy. Our Premium 1st Cut Timothy Hay is packed with the dietary fibre and the coarse stems your bunny needs to keep their teeth in tip top condition.

Adding a variety of safe leafy greens and forage helps encourage natural chewing behaviour and provides additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is always important not to overfeed them on greens so as not to discourage their hay intake.

Pellets should only be a small part of the diet. Overfeeding pellets reduces hay intake, which in turn reduces the natural wearing of teeth.

It is no secret that bunnies love to chew - often the things we would prefer they didn’t. Rabbits need safe materials to chew on to support dental wear and mental stimulation. Simultaneously wearing down their teeth, whilst also helping to bust boredom.

Our favourite choices include:

• Applewood Chew Sticks - perfect to ensure your pet's teeth are kept clean, trim & healthy, whilst also providing enrichment to their diet.
• Natural Nibbles Chew Toys - our toys allow your bunnies to keep their minds active whilst providing hours of chewing, keeping their teeth healthy.
• Dandelion Roots - a deliciously tasty treat that’s high in natural fibre and helps to keep your bunny or small pet’s teeth clean, trim, and healthy.

Dental health is one of the most important aspects of rabbit care. Because their teeth grow continuously, rabbits rely on a high fibre diet and natural chewing behaviours to keep everything in balance.

By focusing on hay based nutrition, providing appropriate chewing materials, and staying alert to early warning signs, you can help prevent painful dental issues and ensure your rabbit lives a happy, healthy life.