What are the signs of rabbit dental malocclusion?

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

When should I contact a veterinarian?

A rabbit that stops eating or passing droppings for twelve hours is an emergency, not a dental appointment for next week.

Dental · Updated 2026-09-21

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

Urgent veterinary attentionRabbitsGuinea pigs

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

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

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

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

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

What are the signs of rabbit dental malocclusion?: Dropping food; Selective eating; Wet chin or dribbling; Weight loss; Eye discharge; Reduced droppings.
What causes rabbit dental malocclusion?: Inadequate abrasive fibre, genetics, jaw conformation, previous trauma and metabolic bone disease from poor diet.
How is rabbit dental malocclusion diagnosed?: Conscious oral examination is limited; a rabbit-experienced vet usually needs sedation and skull radiographs to see tooth roots.
How is rabbit dental malocclusion treated?: Burring of spurs under veterinary care, pain relief, assisted feeding, and diet correction; root disease may need ongoing management.
Can rabbit dental malocclusion be prevented?: Unlimited grass hay as the dietary base, limited pellets, daily fresh forage and regular dental checks.
When should I contact a veterinarian?: A rabbit that stops eating or passing droppings for twelve hours is an emergency, not a dental appointment for next week.

Record when these signs began and how they changed: Dropping food; Selective eating; Wet chin or dribbling. Record appetite, water intake, toileting and any medicines or supplements.
The listed urgency is urgent; worsening breathing, collapse, seizures or severe pain can make any situation an emergency. Ask the clinic rather than relying only on this category.
Ask what else could explain the signs, which tests would change the plan and how discomfort will be managed. Symptoms alone cannot confirm this condition.
Before going home, agree what to monitor, when to recheck and which signs mean calling sooner. Follow the individual treatment plan; do not copy another pet's prescription.

Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.

These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.

WSAVA — global veterinary guidelines on nutrition, vaccination, pain and dental care
AAHA — American Animal Hospital Association guidelines
PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice