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Dental · Updated 2026-09-21

Rabbit dental malocclusion

Misaligned continuously growing teeth that develop painful spurs and prevent normal eating and grooming.

Urgent veterinary attentionRabbitsGuinea pigs
Veterinary care setting for rabbits and guinea pigs
Visual guide to warning signs including breathing difficulty, appetite loss, vomiting, mobility change, abnormal droppings and collapse
Changes in breathing, appetite, movement, digestion or alertness can need veterinary assessment. Collapse and breathing difficulty are emergencies.

Signs to watch for

  • Dropping food
  • Selective eating
  • Wet chin or dribbling
  • Weight loss
  • Eye discharge
  • Reduced droppings

Causes and risk factors

Inadequate abrasive fibre, genetics, jaw conformation, previous trauma and metabolic bone disease from poor diet.

How veterinarians diagnose it

Conscious oral examination is limited; a rabbit-experienced vet usually needs sedation and skull radiographs to see tooth roots.

Treatment and management

Burring of spurs under veterinary care, pain relief, assisted feeding, and diet correction; root disease may need ongoing management.

Prevention

Unlimited grass hay as the dietary base, limited pellets, daily fresh forage and regular dental checks.

Outlook

Spurs recur, so most affected rabbits need lifelong monitoring; early correction preserves quality of life.