Radiographs of a rabbit. The first image is normal, and the rest show progressively worsening dental disease.
We don’t actually know all of the factors involved in causing dental disease in pet rabbits. While trauma (such as fractures) can cause dental disease, there are multiple likely causes. The leading theories are:
1) Dietary imbalance. There is some evidence that problems with amounts or ratios of calcium, phosphorus and/or vitamin D can cause abnormalities of teeth or bony supporting structures. The imbalances may have even happened sometime early in the pet’s life.
2) Insufficient wear. The normal length of teeth is maintained by the action of teeth grinding on teeth when the rabbit eats. Eating softer foods may reduce tooth wear, which is one of many reasons why good quality hay should be the most important part of a rabbit’s diet
3) Genetic. We have seen “families” of rabbits with similar unusual patterns of dental disease, for example, severe disease of just one group of teeth while the rest of the teeth appear normal.
4) Poor breeding practices. This can also be considered genetic, but is a bit different. Some lines of rabbits consistently produce young with incisor malocclusion (or incisors that don’t line up correctly). Parents producing these rabbits should no longer be bred.
Prevention of dental disease is difficult, as we don’t understand all of the causes. Feed your rabbit as directed by your exotic animal veterinarian, consider some outdoor sunshine if you can do so safely, and don’t skip the yearly check-ups. Early detection allows earlier treatment and a better chance of avoiding severe complications of dental disease, including painful tooth spur, tooth fractures, and dental abscesses
