Rabbit Health
Overgrown Teeth in Rabbits UK — Dental Disease & Prevention
Published Last updated 4 min read
Quick answer
Rabbit teeth never stop growing. Without constant hay chewing, teeth overgrow into painful spikes — causing drooling, weight loss, and gut stasis. Feed 85%+ hay, watch appetite daily, and see a rabbit-savvy vet for dental checks. Never clip teeth at home.
How rabbit teeth work
According to the RWAF and RSPCA, rabbits have open-rooted teeth that grow continuously — up to 2–3 mm per week for incisors. Normal wear comes from grinding coarse hay and grass.
When wear is uneven or insufficient, problems develop:
- Sharp spikes (spurs) on cheek teeth lacerate tongue and cheeks
- Overgrown incisors meet incorrectly (malocclusion)
- Tooth root elongation presses into jaw and sinuses — causing runny eyes and abscesses
Dental pain makes rabbits stop eating, which quickly triggers gut stasis — a separate emergency. See Rabbit gut stasis UK.
Signs of dental disease
According to PDSA, rabbits are prey animals and hide pain until disease is advanced. Watch for:
- Reduced appetite — leaving favourite foods; not eating hay
- Dropping food from the mouth while chewing
- Weight loss — feel ribs and spine regularly
- Wet fur on chin and chest ("slobbers" / ptyalism)
- Runny eyes — tooth root impinging on tear duct
- Nasal discharge — often one-sided from sinus infection
- Fewer or misshapen droppings
- Bad breath
- Facial swelling — abscess under jaw or around eyes
Any combination warrants a rabbit-savvy vet the same week — sooner if not eating.
Causes of overgrown teeth in UK rabbits
Insufficient hay (most common)
According to the RWAF, the single biggest cause is not eating enough hay. Muesli mixes, excessive pellets, and soft treats do not provide adequate wear. Rabbits selectively eat sugary pieces and leave hay.
Breed and genetics
Some breeds — especially small lop-eared rabbits — have congenital malocclusion. Teeth never align correctly regardless of diet.
Age and injury
Trauma to jaw or teeth, or age-related changes, can disrupt normal grinding.
Underlying disease
Kidney disease and other illnesses reduce appetite and chewing time.
Veterinary treatment
According to the BVA, rabbit dentistry requires specialist equipment and anaesthesia:
- Oral examination with a speculum — cheek teeth cannot be seen without it
- Burring and filing under anaesthesia — not clipping with nail cutters
- X-rays or CT — essential for root disease and abscesses
- Abscess surgery — complex; may need repeated procedures and long antibiotics
- Extraction — selected teeth when roots are severely diseased
Never attempt home tooth clipping — fractured teeth, pulp exposure, and jaw infection can result.
After dental work, rabbits need pain relief, syringe feeding until eating independently, and a follow-up hay-first feeding plan.
Prevention — hay first
According to the RWAF, PDSA, and RSPCA:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 85%+ hay | Body-sized amount daily; always available |
| Measured pellets | Roughly 25 g per kg body weight — not ad lib |
| Leafy greens | Small daily portion; not a hay substitute |
| No muesli | Selective feeding causes dental and gut disease |
| Chew toys | Willow, apple wood — supplement, not replace hay |
| Regular checks | Weight weekly; vet dental exam at least annually |
Hay types suitable for UK rabbits include timothy, meadow, and orchard grass. Alfalfa is for young rabbits only.
Dental disease and other conditions
Dental problems link to conditions covered elsewhere:
- Gut stasis — pain stops eating; see Rabbit gut stasis UK
- Head tilt — inner ear and nerve compression from root elongation; see Rabbit head tilt UK
- Flystrike — obese rabbits with dental pain cannot groom; see Rabbit flystrike prevention UK
- Runny eyes — often dental, not eye infection alone
Tell your vet about all symptoms — they may indicate root disease requiring imaging, not just a surface burr.
When to call the vet
| Sign | Action |
|---|---|
| Not eating hay for 12+ hours | Same day |
| Visible overgrown incisors | Vet within days |
| Wet chin, weight loss | Vet this week |
| Facial swelling | Urgent — possible abscess |
| No droppings | Emergency — gut stasis |
Sources & further reading
Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-25).
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do rabbit teeth overgrow?
- Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout life. Without enough chewing — especially on hay — teeth wear unevenly, forming spikes that cut the mouth and prevent eating.
- What are signs of dental disease in rabbits?
- Reduced appetite, dropping food, weight loss, wet chin (slobbers), eye discharge, runny nose, and fewer droppings. Rabbits hide pain — subtle appetite loss is often the first sign.
- Can overgrown rabbit teeth be trimmed at home?
- No. Never clip rabbit teeth yourself — you can fracture teeth and cause fatal infection. Only a rabbit-savvy vet with proper equipment should perform dental work.
- How do I prevent dental problems in rabbits?
- Feed at least 85% hay — unlimited timothy or meadow hay daily. Limit pellets, avoid muesli, and schedule regular vet dental checks. Chewing hay is the best tooth wear.