Dental problems are a common reason why rabbit owners take their pets to the vet. Issues with the teeth of a rabbit can really impact their quality of life because it affects their ability to eat and groom.
Because a rabbit’s teeth grow continuously, their dental anatomy is unique. This article covers normal rabbit dental anatomy, common diseases, how to prevent them, and how vets diagnose and treat them.
Anatomy and Physiology of Rabbit Teeth
Rabbit teeth are fascinating. They’re designed to help rabbits eat a tough, fibrous diet. Here’s a breakdown of how rabbit teeth work:
Dental Formula and Tooth Types
Rabbits have a specific number and arrangement of teeth, which is described by a dental formula. They have incisors and cheek teeth (premolars and molars), but no canines.
Incisors
Rabbits have a total of six incisors: four on top (maxillary) and two on the bottom (mandibular). The upper incisors are unique because they have two small “peg teeth” located directly behind the larger front incisors. The incisors are used for nipping off pieces of vegetation.
Cheek Teeth
The dental formula for rabbits is I2/1, C0/0, P3/2, M3/3, meaning they have 2 incisors on the top and 1 on the bottom, 0 canines, 3 premolars on top and 2 on the bottom, and 3 molars on both top and bottom. This adds up to a total of 28 teeth.
The cheek teeth (premolars and molars) are designed for grinding up tough plant matter.
Continuous Growth (Elodont)
One of the most interesting things about rabbit teeth is that they grow constantly throughout their lives. This is called being “elodont.”
Growth Rate
Rabbit teeth can grow quite quickly, about 2 to 3 mm per week! That’s why it’s so important for them to have a diet that helps wear down the teeth.
Wear and Tear
A high-fiber diet, primarily hay, is essential for rabbits. Chewing on hay wears down the teeth at the same rate they grow. Proper alignment of the teeth (occlusion) and good chewing mechanics are also vital for ensuring that the teeth wear down evenly. Without proper wear, teeth can become overgrown and cause serious health problems.
Aradicular Hypsodont Teeth
Rabbit teeth are also described as “aradicular hypsodont.” This refers to their structure and how they grow.
Aradicular
“Aradicular” means that rabbit teeth don’t have true roots. Instead, they have open ends (apices) that allow the teeth to keep growing continuously.
Hypsodont
“Hypsodont” means that the teeth have long crowns (the part of the tooth that you can see). This long crown provides a large surface area for chewing and allows the teeth to withstand a lot of wear and tear over time.
Causes of Dental Disease in Rabbits
Rabbits can develop dental disease for a number of reasons, but the most common causes are related to diet and genetics.
Dietary Factors
What a rabbit eats is extremely important for their dental health. Two common dietary issues that can lead to dental disease are:
Insufficient Fiber
The most common cause of dental disease is improper nutrition, especially a lack of high-fiber foods. If a rabbit doesn’t get enough hay or other fibrous food to chew, their teeth can overgrow, leading to malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
High-Carbohydrate Diets
Sugary treats and carbohydrate-rich foods can also contribute to dental problems. These foods don’t require as much chewing, and they can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Genetic Predisposition
Some rabbits are simply more likely to develop dental problems due to their genes.
Malocclusion
Genetic factors can predispose rabbits to malocclusion, where the teeth don’t line up correctly. If you’re getting a rabbit from a breeder, make sure they’re reputable and that they screen for inherited dental issues.
Jaw Abnormalities
Conditions like prognathism (undershot jaw) and brachygnathism (overshot jaw) can also cause dental problems. These conditions affect the alignment of the jaw, which can lead to uneven wear and tear on the teeth.
Other Contributing Factors
In addition to diet and genetics, other factors can also contribute to dental disease in rabbits.
Trauma
Injuries to the face or jaw can damage teeth and disrupt normal growth patterns. If your rabbit has experienced any trauma to the face, it’s important to have their teeth checked by a vet.
Infection
Periodontal infections and abscesses can affect tooth structure and alignment. These infections can be caused by bacteria or other microorganisms, and they can lead to significant dental problems if left untreated.
What are the signs of dental disease?
Because a rabbit’s teeth are so important to its overall health, dental problems can manifest in a variety of ways. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Changes in eating habits: If your rabbit is suddenly uninterested in food, especially hard foods like carrots or pellets, it could be a sign of dental pain. They may also start picking and choosing what they eat, opting for softer foods over the hay that’s so crucial for their digestion and dental wear.
- Oral discomfort: Drooling (sometimes called “slobbers”) is a classic sign of dental issues. You might also notice swelling on their face or even feel a lump. Rabbits who are in pain may also grind their teeth (bruxism). This sounds different from the soft purring sound they sometimes make when they’re content.
- Behavioral changes: A rabbit in pain is often a rabbit who’s not acting like themself. They might become less active, groom themselves less frequently, or even become more aggressive or irritable.
- Other signs: Keep an eye out for unexplained weight loss, discharge from their nose or eyes, matted fur around their face or chin, or changes in their poop. All of these can be connected to dental problems.
If you spot any of these signs, it’s time to schedule a visit with your veterinarian, preferably one who specializes in rabbits.
Diagnosis of Dental Disease in Rabbits
If you think your rabbit is having dental problems, a vet will need to conduct a thorough examination to figure out what’s going on. Here’s what you can expect:
Patient History and Physical Examination
The vet will start by asking you questions about your rabbit’s history, including:
- What does your rabbit eat?
- What’s the rabbit’s habitat like?
- Has your rabbit had any dental problems before?
Next, the vet will examine your rabbit’s mouth to assess:
- Tooth alignment
- Crown height
- Signs of inflammation or infection
The vet will also feel around your rabbit’s jaw to check for swelling or other abnormalities.
Advanced Imaging Techniques
To get a better look at what’s happening beneath the surface, the vet may use advanced imaging techniques.
Radiography
Radiographs (X-rays) can help the vet see the tooth roots, bone structure, and whether there are any abscesses. The vet may take X-rays from different angles, including from the side, from the front, and at an oblique angle.
Researchers Boehmer and Crossley developed anatomic reference lines to help vets better understand rabbit radiographs.
Computed Tomography (CT)
CT scans provide a detailed three-dimensional view of the skull and teeth. These scans are especially helpful in complex cases.
Other Diagnostic Tests
The vet may also use other diagnostic tests to get a complete picture of your rabbit’s health.
Blood Analysis
Blood tests can help identify underlying health issues that may be contributing to dental disease. It’s especially important to assess kidney and liver function, as these organs can be affected by chronic disease.
Endoscopic Oral Examination
An endoscope can help the vet see inside the oral cavity and identify subtle abnormalities that might be missed during a regular examination.
Treatment of Dental Disease in Rabbits
If your rabbit develops dental disease, your vet has a few options for treatment, depending on the severity of the problem.
Crown Height Reduction
A rabbit’s teeth can become overgrown, causing pain and difficulty eating. To address this, a vet may perform a crown height reduction, which means they’ll file or burr down the overgrown teeth using specialized dental instruments.
It’s important to have a vet perform this procedure. If you try it yourself, you could damage the teeth or soft tissues in your rabbit’s mouth.
If your rabbit has malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth), burring of the incisor teeth may be needed every 2-3 weeks to keep them at a manageable length. Burring of the cheek teeth may be needed every 4-6 weeks, or sometimes you can wait 6-12 months between burring.
Crown height reduction is typically performed while the rabbit is under general anesthesia or heavy sedation.
Tooth Extraction
If a tooth is severely damaged, infected, or loose, your vet may recommend extraction. Tooth extraction requires careful surgical technique. The vet will work to minimize trauma and prevent complications during the procedure.
Treatment of Abscesses
Dental disease can sometimes lead to abscesses (infected pockets of pus) in a rabbit’s mouth. Treatment of an abscess involves:
- Draining the abscess and removing infected tissue
- Administering antibiotics to fight the infection
- Providing pain relief to improve the rabbit’s comfort
How to keep your bunny’s teeth healthy
Rabbits’ teeth are pretty specialized, and they need specific care to stay in good shape. Here’s what you need to do:
- Dietary Management:
The single most important thing you can do for your rabbit’s teeth is to feed it the right diet.
- Unlimited Hay: Hay is essential for wearing down those ever-growing teeth. Timothy, orchard grass, or meadow hay should be available all the time.
- Fresh Vegetables: Offer a variety of leafy greens every day for extra vitamins and minerals.
- Limited Pellets: Rabbit pellets are often high in carbs and low in fiber, so don’t give your bunny too many.
- Environmental Enrichment:
Give your rabbit plenty of opportunities to chew.
- Chewing Opportunities: Safe chewing toys made of untreated wood or cardboard, or even willow branches, can keep those teeth in good shape.
- Regular Dental Checks:
Keep a close eye on your rabbit’s teeth.
- Home Examinations: Check your rabbit’s teeth weekly for any signs of problems.
- Veterinary Examinations: Regular vet checkups, including a thorough mouth exam, are crucial.
- Breeding Considerations:
If you breed rabbits, choose breeding stock that doesn’t have a history of dental disease.
- Avoid breeding rabbits with known genetic predispositions to malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
By following these guidelines, you can help keep your rabbit’s teeth healthy and prevent painful dental problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s special about rabbit teeth?
Rabbit teeth are pretty unique! Unlike humans, rabbit teeth are open-rooted, meaning they continuously grow throughout their lives. This constant growth is essential because their teeth wear down quickly as they chew on tough plant matter. If their teeth didn’t grow continuously, they’d eventually wear down to nothing!
Why do rabbits have six incisors?
Here’s a fun fact: rabbits have a hidden set of incisors! While you see the two prominent upper incisors, there are actually two smaller incisors, called “peg teeth” or “accessory incisors,” located directly behind them. These extra incisors are a key characteristic that distinguishes rabbits from rodents, which only have four incisors. These peg teeth help rabbits grip and shear plant material more efficiently.
What are bunny teeth called?
While “bunny teeth” is a cute and common term, the correct anatomical terms are incisors, premolars, and molars. The incisors are the most noticeable teeth, used for nipping vegetation. Premolars and molars, located further back in the mouth, are used for grinding food. So, while “bunny teeth” gets the point across, remember rabbits have a full set of specialized teeth designed for their herbivorous diet!
Wrapping Up
A rabbit’s teeth are one of the most important parts of its body, and their health requires ongoing attention from both owners and veterinarians.
That means:
- feeding your bunny a diet that’s good for its teeth
- scheduling regular dental checkups
- seeking veterinary care as soon as possible if you suspect your rabbit is experiencing dental problems
By learning more about rabbit teeth and implementing preventative measures, you can make a big difference in the quality and length of your rabbit’s life.