Have you ever had a bunny? While it’s probably safe to say that most of you haven’t had rabbits yourselves, it’s also probably not wrong to guess that many of you have known at least one person with a pet rabbit. Bunnies may actually be more popular than many people think. According to 2022 data from the AVMA, there were about 2.2 million pet rabbits here in the U.S., spread out over about 1.5 million households. If you have a bunny, or are perhaps considering adopting one, read on. A local Springfield, OR vet goes over some key information about an important aspect of bunny care—dental care—in this article.
Why Are Rabbits Prone To Dental Trouble?
This is more of a feature than a bug, as the saying goes. Rabbits have open-rooted teeth, which never stop growing. In the wild, bunnies eat a lot of tough plants and roots, which can wear their choppers down. Pet rabbits eat much softer food, so they need to be given harder items to chew on, to wear their teeth down. Otherwise, they may develop painful dental trouble.
How Do You Keep A Bunny’s Teeth Healthy?
With dogs, we often recommend brushing Fido’s teeth. This isn’t going to work particularly well with a rabbit, however.
Here are the main things:
Hay: A good bunny diet will be based mostly on fresh grass hay, such as Timothy hay. Floppy will need an unlimited supply. This is not only important for her dental health, but also for her digestion. Be sure to store the hay in a cool, dry place, so it doesn’t get moldy. You may also want to give your cute pet a hay rack.
Commercial Food: Floppy can also have pellets or cubes for her main meals. While the main purpose of these is nutrition, they are often hard enough to provide some help in the dental care area. Ask your vet for recommendations, and take care to carefully measure out portion sizes.
Produce: In addition to the hay and pellets, your pet will need fresh produce. Ask your vet for specific information on what is and isn’t safe. Never give Floppy anything without researching it first.
Fresh Water: Last but not least, make sure Floppy always has clean water. (Tip: if it’s hot, get a few extra water bottles and keep one in the freezer at all times. In addition to her regular water, your pet will have cold water as it melts. When it’s completely melted, swap it out for a frozen one.)
Do Rabbits’ Teeth Need Trimming?
That is going to vary a bit. Ideally, if your pet is eating a proper diet and doesn’t have any dental problems, she should be able to wear her teeth down naturally, and may never need trims. If Floppy isn’t getting the right food and/or has dental issues, such as malocclusion or misalignments, she may need her teeth trimmed. How often this needs to happen will depend on the type and severity of the issue. Bunnies with severe malocclusion may need to be trimmed as much as once a month. (Note: this isn’t much fun for Floppy, so your Cottage Grove, OR vet may recommend extraction in serious cases.)
What Are Common Bunny Dental Issues?
The most common is likely malocclusion. This is when Floppy’s front teeth—her incisors—don’t match up with her bottom teeth properly. Those back teeth won’t wear evenly, and may form sharp points, which will then cut your pet’s mouth and tongue. As you can imagine, this can be excruciating. It also impacts the rest of your pet’s teeth. Plus, it can lead to abscesses, which are both painful and dangerous.
Other dental issues we often see in rabbits include overgrown teeth, molar spurs, abscesses, periodontitis, jaw abnormalities, caries, and broken teeth.
It’s important to realize that dental issues can lead to other problems. Floppy may develop digestive issues, as she won’t be able to chew right. Infections can spread to your pet’s vital organs. Any infection in the mouth has the potential to become life-threatening, because it’s so close to the brain. Infections can also get deep into the bone, which can become life-threatening. Your pet may also get an infected tear duct, or may develop skin and/or fur trouble from being unable to groom herself properly.
If you know or suspect that your pet has dental trouble, contact your Springfield, OR vet immediately.
What Are The Signs of Dental Issues In Rabbits?
Bunnies aren’t always easy to read, but they do send some pretty clear signals when they aren’t feeling well. It’s important for owners to know what to look for, and also to just keep a close eye out for issues.
Here are some of the signs of bunny dental trouble:
- Overgrown Teeth
- Weight Loss
- Lack Of Grooming
- Soiled Rump
- Diarrhea
- Runny Eyes
- Drool
- Lack Of Appetite
- Teeth Grinding
- Runny Nose
- Low Energy
- Flystrike
- Wet Front Paws
- Not Eating Hay/Grass
- Lumps On The Face/Head
- Change In Head Shape
- Discharge From The Eyes
Your cute pet may just also not seem like herself. She may act listless or grumpy, and may sit in a stiff position. Contact your vet right away if you notice any of these warning signs.
How Fast Do Bunny Teeth Grow?
Rabbit teeth typically grow about 4.7 inches per year, though the rate will vary a bit from bunny to bunny.
What Kind Of Chew Toys Do I Give My Bunny?
Now for the fun part. While a proper diet is the biggest factor in your pet’s dental health, it’s also very important for you to make sure that your cute pet always has things to chew on. You don’t have to break the bank here: you can make all sorts of great bunny toys out of ordinary household items.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Plain Paper: Shred it, crumple it into balls, fold it into origami shapes, or wrap it around treats. You can also stuff shredded paper into paper bags or shoeboxes, or use it as filling for a dig box.
- Cardboard: Rabbits love to chew on cardboard. Just be sure to remove anything that could be dangerous, such as tape, stickers, or staples. It’s also best to avoid things that are printed or painted in bright colors, unless you know the ink is safe.
- Branches: Small fruit tree branches are a great option. Be sure to stick with safe fruits, and only give Floppy clean branches.
- Wooden Items: There’s almost no end to the options here. Some things you can offer are wooden blocks and spoons, various shapes, and wooden ‘cookie’ slices.
- Wicker: Many wicker items are also fine. Grass balls and mats are also good options.
Just put your pet’s safety first. Never give your bunny anything with small parts or sharp edges. Items that have been decorated in paint, dye, glitter, or varnish are also unsafe, as is anything with a dangling rope or thread. WIth wood, it’s also important to stick with safe wood. Avoid hardwoods, such as pine and cedar, as the oils can be irritating for small animals.
Ask your Cottage Grove, OR vet for more information on bunny dental care and bunny toys.
Make An Appointment At Our Springfield, OR Pet Hospital
Do you have questions or concerns about your rabbits’ health or care? Please feel free to contact us anytime. As your Springfield, OR pet hospital, we are dedicated to offering top-notch care.
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