fbpx

Rabbit Teeth (Size, Number, Problems, Full Guide)

What do a rabbit’s teeth look like?

Does your rabbit teeth have a tendency to become crowded? Taking a closer look at this issue, we offer valuable information and advice on how to deal with rabbit teeth. In order to keep their mouths healthy, rabbits grind their 28 continually growing teeth. Eating the proper foods and chewing on wood or other toys.

Rabbits have six teeth: two large incisors on top and smaller ones called peg teeth behind the more prominent incisors on the bottom. The incisors come together in a scissor-like motion, with the higher ones cutting through plants before the lower ones. Horses have a diastema behind their incisors, which is frequently where the bit rests while a horse is chewing, and it’s similar to what humans would call a gap in their teeth.

When compared to human teeth, rabbits’ are much different because they are continually developing. This is an adaptation common in herbivorous species.

White Rabbit Wearing Yellow Eyeglasses

Why Do Rabbits Have Long Teeth?

A rabbit’s teeth have open roots that allow them to grow consistently. They lengthen by three to 5 inches annually. Since their teeth never stop growing, it’s simple that rabbits eat the hard foods they are doing.

What can rabbits eat to keep their teeth strong?

Rabbits like to chew on all the time, and that they chew everything like wood, your room carpet, cage, or maybe themselves if they find nothing to chew. Rabbits used to chew things that they found around.

Rabbits can chew multiple things for their teeth. Typically pet rabbits use Fresh pine lumber, a Basket with hay, Blackberry, Raspberry, Maple, and pear to chew for their teeth.

16 Things you can give your pet rabbits to chew for their teeth

It would be best if you gave things to your rabbits which they’re going to chew and don’t harm them. You ought to give your rabbit an excessive amount of hay-oat hay, timothy, cocksfoot hay. There below is that the list of belongings you can give your rabbit to chew on:

1. Hay

2. Apple

3. Willow

4. Cotton

5. Compressed alfalfa cubes

6. Fresh pine lumber

7. Basket with hay

8. Blackberry

9. Raspberry

10. Maple

11. Pear

12. Hawthorn

13. Hazel

14. Birch

15. Fir tree

16. Carbohydrates cage

How do you check your bunny’s teeth for the first time?

Slowly split your rabbit’s lips back into a smile while it’s lying on its back or sitting far away from you. The incisor teeth are the four big teeth in the front of the mouth (two on top and two on bottom). To avoid bleeding gums, make sure they are not loose. Healthy gums are pink, not red or purple.

Rabbit front teeth

How Big Should My Rabbit’s Teeth Be?

Rabbits have 28 teeth, 16 on top and 12 on rock bottom. The four incisors, the long teeth at the very front of the mouth, are the foremost noticeable of those. The rear teeth are referred to as the cheek teeth.

Rabbits are different from cats and dogs because their teeth grow throughout their lives and may get older than 12cm a year! This is often because their natural high-fiber diet wears down their teeth over time.

Close up of vet examining a rabbit's teeth Vet examining a Dalmatian rabbit in front

Cost of trimming

What is the cost to trim a rabbit’s teeth?

The standard trimming techniques:

1. Rabbit teeth clipping

This is the cheapest, simplest, and fastest procedure, and pet owners, especially for enlarged incisors, often advocate it.

2. Using a dental burring tool

Reducing tooth height is often conveniently be done using “either a skinny cutting bur like a tapered coarse grit diamond bur or a skinny crosscut fissure tungsten carbide bur.” A high-speed motorized handheld piece, especially the one using an air turbine, is going to be quite efficient.

3. Rabbit teeth filing

However, this is a less successful approach often employed on rabbit teeth spurs or molar- and premolar-sized spikes. This treatment does not address the underlying causes or rectify tooth curvature, which may result from severe occlusion.

4. Cutting discs

These are rotary discs that will be wont to cut a rabbit’s teeth. They’re riskier primarily when used on premolars and molars, and that they often present challenges that filling and clipping have.

Rabbit teeth trimming cost

The cost you’ll incur will depend upon the tactic used and whether anesthesia is employed or not. Also, it’ll vary from one place to a different and from one vet to another.

On average, the rabbit teeth trimming costs are going to be $20-$40. It doesn’t sound much, but you’ll need it regularly done. However, this cost shouldn’t be confused with rabbit dental surgeries.

Why should I take my bunnies in for their annual checkup?

An annual checkup may be thanks to confirming that your rabbit is healthy. The vet can check your rabbit’s teeth to form sure they aren’t growing too long and aren’t infected. They will confirm your rabbit is of a healthy weight, check their breathing rates and heart rates, and verify their ears and eyes look healthy.

How to trim rabbit teeth at home?

You can clip your rabbit’s teeth yourself. This is often done by slowly cutting away at your pet’s teeth with wire cutters. This is usually a risky procedure, so only attempt it if you’re confident.

Toy rabbit with front teeth overgrown

Rabbits Overgrown Teeth

What Can Cause A Rabbit’s Teeth to Become Overgrown?

There are many reasons for tooth elongation, malocclusion, or uneven growth and wear rates. A significant contributing factor may be a diet lacking enough roughage or fiber to market normal tooth wear.

Wild rabbits tyrannize their teeth all day by constantly chewing on grass. Pet rabbits may eat some hay, but they generally eat many crumbly rabbit pellets that don’t help affect the teeth. Some pet rabbits don’t eat grass in the least.

What Should I Do if My Rabbit’s Teeth Have Grown Out of Place?

You’ll be happy to hear that you can manage your rabbit’s teeth by giving them appropriate food and toys to chew, also as having their incisors trimmed consistently by a knowledgeable vet.

Although, confine mind that more severe cases may require surgery to correct or altogether remove the overgrown teeth. Speak together with your vet so you’ll fully understand the risks and options.

How to Stop Rabbit’s Teeth from Growing?

The teeth of your rabbit are continuously growing; it’s a fact of their life. You can prevent them from getting out of hand by taking a few simple measures:

⦁ Every week, at the absolute least, check your rabbit’s teeth for indications of overgrowth.

⦁ If you want to help your rabbit’s teeth, feed it a diet high in fiber like grass, leafy greens like kale, and hay that they may eat in the wild.

⦁ If you utilize a kibble feed alongside the long fiber, make sure that you use an entire kibble to stop your rabbit from avoiding the low calcium pellets

⦁ Provide many safe objects for them to chew like plain blocks of woods, and specialized rabbit toys are great choices.

Treatment of Overgrown Rabbit Incisors

The upper and lower incisors ought to be long, straight, and white. The highest incisors should overlap rock bottom. Your rabbit must be ready to close her mouth.

Treatment of Overgrown Rabbit Molars

The molars should follow an equivalent rule as incisors. They need blunt ends and must not prevent the rabbit from closing her mouth. Your rabbit grinds her molars down, chewing even like very much as her incisors.

How do you treat a bunny with bad rabbit teeth care?

Your rabbit’s treatment will depend upon the sort of dental disease they need but will probably incorporate a mixture of surgery, pain relief, other medications, help eating, and diet changes.

⦁ Dental surgery

Your rabbit might take an anesthetic so that your vet can trim any overgrown teeth or smooth any spurs.

Your rabbit may have teeth removed if they’re affected by a severe dental disease like a root abscess, damaged teeth, or teeth growing in the wrong direction. Because of their long, curved roots, tiny mouths, and fragile jaws, rabbits’ teeth are far more difficult to remove than those of dogs or cats.

Never plan to trim your rabbits’ teeth reception you’ll crack a root, which can cause severe pain and long-term problems.

⦁ Pain relief

Your rabbit may have pain relief to assist them in recovering, especially if they need sores inside their mouth.

⦁ Feeding

If your rabbit is struggling to eat, you’ll get to help them. Your vet will show you ways.

⦁ Other medication

Antibiotics aren’t necessary for many dental problems, but your vet may prescribe them if your rabbit has a severe dental disease like a root abscess or an infected mouth sore.

What are the best ways to keep a bunny’s teeth healthy?

You don’t get to clean your rabbits’ teeth, but they need a touch of day-to-day help with dental health. Don’t forget to provide your rabbits with different chew toys to aid in their teeth’ natural wear and tear. Small, fresh branches from fruit trees are ideal, but a daily diet of hay and greens is that the best thanks to keeping teeth healthy.’

How much does it cost to get your rabbit’s front teeth trimmed?

Getting your rabbit’s teeth trimmed or shaved by a professional veterinarian will cost around $250. Your vet shouldn’t get to take expensive x-rays because they will see the teeth easily with an easy otoscope.

Your vet will usually put your rabbit under sleeping gas but not anesthesia because it’s even as practical during this situation and fewer expensive. The method should take but half-hour and when it’s done, your rabbit should be allowed to travel home, possibly with pain medication to assist the healing cheeks.

If your vet suggests x-rays, anesthesia, or boarding, you should ask why or find another vet for a second quote. These expensive options shouldn’t be necessary when doing an easy procedure like trimming teeth.

If your vet suggests a bill that’s over $300, you ought to determine why and what methods are being recommended. Don’t be afraid to look for a particular vet and obtain a thought of general pricing in your area.

What is the best way to clip a rabbit’s teeth?

Rabbit’s teeth are often hampered to size manually. Your pet should wear her teeth down through chewing. Sometimes, intervention is that the only option. you’ve got two options:

⦁ Take your pet to knowledgeable. A vet will trim your rabbit’s teeth with a little handheld electric saw. This is often referred to as burring. It grinds the teeth down instead of cutting them outright.

⦁ Clipping your rabbit’s teeth yourself. This is often done by slowly cutting away at your pet’s teeth with wire cutters. This is often a risky procedure, so only attempt it if you’re confident.

If you are doing need a vet, ensure they’re skilled in rabbit farming.

Other options to keep your rabbit’s teeth short

⦁ Stock Up on Hay

⦁ Twigs and Chews

Is there an estimated time frame for the regrowth of a rabbit’s lost teeth?

As they become older, their baby teeth start to fall off. Thus they’re born with no teeth. Adult teeth, which are more durable and should last a lifetime if properly cared for, replace the baby teeth.

Nevertheless, the term “open rooted” teeth refer to the fact that rabbit teeth continue to develop throughout the animal’s lifespan. There is no need to brush them since they are continuously being worn down and regenerated.

Do Baby Rabbits Shed Their Teeth?

Baby rabbits lose their primary teeth once they are only a couple of months old. You would possibly notice that your rabbit begins to display destructive behaviors by chewing excessively on everything in the view from an early age. This will be an actual problem, especially if your pet lives inside your home and has access to dangerous cables.

Because bunnies don’t have their milk teeth for long, they don’t undergo the teething process humans know. However, they’re going to chew through whatever they will line up to wear their teeth against one another, which keeps them trimmed right down to a healthy length. Within the wild, rabbits chew grass and plants to stop teeth from overgrowing.

How Do I do know if My Rabbit Has Dental Disease?

Aside from apparent indications, many times, pet owners are completely unaware of the presence of these indicators. In some cases, oral health issues go undetected until a routine physical check reveals them.

Regardless, rabbits with dental problems are more likely to be in pain, uncomfortable, or unable to eat as much as expected. Here are a number of the subsequent symptoms that you should look out for.

In the event of anorexia or a lack of appetite, a rabbit may refuse to eat to escape the discomfort or suffering caused by dental problems such as an extended root, out-of-alignment teeth, a tooth spur, or an ulcer.

Being More Selective About the Food: relying on the dental condition and its severity, a rabbit won’t eat more complex foods like pellets, hay, or carrots, but instead only eat certain softer foods like fruits and a few leafy greens.

Dropping food from the mouth: if your rabbit can’t consume the food it has in its mouth, it might have dental problems.

Excessive Tear Production: This is more common with the upper incisors, although they are not limited. The lacrimal duct runs parallel to the top of the upper incisor root. The bases are often inflamed and elongated, ultimately fully or partially blocking the lacrimal duct.

The lacrimal gland will still produce tears, but they will no longer travel down the tear duct’s path. Your rabbit’s eyes may look moist, or a crusty white substance (salt and mucus) may accumulate on the side of your rabbit’s eyes. Bacterial infections, pus, and inflammation of the lacrimal duct are other possible outcomes.

rabbit teeth

Nasal Discharge: The sinuses may be irritated by nasal discharge if the upper incisor roots are extended or inflamed. When x-rays are needed immediately, it might be difficult to distinguish between this and an upper respiratory illness.

Salivating Excessively: Due to pain or inability to shut its mouth, a rabbit can accumulate saliva on the fur, within the corners of the mouth, the chin, and dewlap. Aside from these, other reasons include excessive heat, foreign things in the mouth, severe fatigue, or ingestion of anything unpleasant.

Tooth Grinding: If a rabbit has dental problems, it may grind its teeth more frequently. While some grinding is to be anticipated, if it becomes severe, you’ll want to bring your rabbit in to get it checked out by one of our veterinarians.

Bulging of the Eye: Your rabbit may experience pressure behind its eyes if the molars or upper premolars cause an abscess.

When it comes to diagnosing dental disease, “How Does a Vet Do It?”

History: Please be prepared to answer questions regarding your rabbit’s past health and well-being when you meet with our veterinarians. We’ll figure out what’s going on with your animal a lot better now that we have this information.

Physical Examination: Our recommendation is for each rabbit to possess a dental examination once or twice a year to ensure we catch early signs of dental disease. As a result, anesthesia is not required as often. Occasionally, suppose the pet is difficult to handle, or our doctors aren’t ready to assess the pet’s dental health. In that case, our vets may decide it’s essential to sedate the pet to conduct a proper oral examination.

Radiographs (X-Rays): The degree of a rabbit’s dental illness may be determined via radiographs of the skull, which can then be used to devise a treatment plan for the affected animal.

Blood Tests: If our vets feel that your rabbit may have a disease additionally or connected to the dental disease, we may suggest blood tests be performed.

Check on our article to know does a rabbit has paw pads.

FAQ

Can you trim rabbit teeth?

Take your pet to knowledgeable. A vet will trim your rabbit’s teeth with a bit of handheld electric saw. This is often referred to as burring. It grinds the teeth down instead of cutting them outright.

You are clipping your rabbit’s teeth yourself. This is often done by slowly cutting away at your pet’s teeth with wire cutters. This is usually a risky procedure, so only attempt it if you’re confident.

Can you brush rabbits’ teeth?

Owners of cats and dogs may have to persuade them to brush their pets’ teeth regularly. On the other hand, a veterinarian will never recommend that you begin cleaning your rabbit’s teeth right away. Rabbits, like rodents, have unique silent teeth, which contributes to this behavior. Cats and dogs are similar to you when it comes to dental care.

They’re born with baby teeth that fall out as they grow old. These are replaced by sturdy adult teeth, which, with sufficient care, should last a lifetime. But a rabbit’s teeth are referred to as “open rooted” teeth, suggesting that they’ll still grow throughout their entire lives. They’re constantly worn down and renewed – which explains why there’s no need for brushing.

How Can I Keep My Rabbit’s Teeth Short?

Stop them from getting out of control with these easy steps:

Keep an eye out for overgrowth symptoms in your pet’s teeth by doing oral examinations every week.

Give your rabbit a meal high in fiber to help it maintain its teeth and resemble what it would eat in the wild. Fibrous food You may feed your rabbit hay, greens like kale, and grass.

The rabbit’s oral health depends on it having a variety of chew toys to choose from. Rabbit chew toys, safe woodblocks, and other plants, as well as handmade toys, are all excellent alternatives for children.

About the author

I'm Gulshan, a passionate pet enthusiast. Dive into my world where I share tips, stories, and snapshots of my animal adventures. Here, pets are more than just animals; they're heartbeats that enrich our lives. Join our journey!