---
title: "Overgrown Teeth in Rabbits UK"
description: "Rabbit teeth grow continuously — overgrown teeth cause pain, drooling, and gut stasis. UK guide to dental signs, vet treatment, and hay-first prevention."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rabbit-overgrown-teeth-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/rabbit-overgrown-teeth-uk"
date_published: "2026-06-25"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Overgrown Teeth in Rabbits UK

**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](/health/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](/health/rabbit-gut-stasis-uk)
- **Head tilt** — inner ear and nerve compression from root elongation; see [Rabbit head tilt UK](/health/rabbit-head-tilt-uk)
- **Flystrike** — obese rabbits with dental pain cannot groom; see [Rabbit flystrike prevention UK](/health/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 |

## FAQs

### 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.

## Sources

- [RWAF — Dental disease](https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk)
- [RSPCA — Rabbit diet](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/diet)
- [PDSA — Rabbit diet and teeth](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [BVA — Rabbit welfare](https://www.bva.co.uk)

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Last modified: 2026-06-25