How To Take Care Of Your Rabbit’s Teeth
Want to ensure your rabbit lives a happy and healthy life? Then you need to know how to take care of those teeth! Here are some steps for taking care of those bunny’s choppers.
How Many Teeth Do Rabbits Have?
Rabbits have 28 teeth,16 on top and 12 on the bottom. They are very long and grow continuously. Their teeth grow above and below the gum line. The incisors are the rabbit’s front teeth. Molars are back teeth. Molars are more difficult to see and you should let a vet examine those.
Signs & Symptoms Of Rabbit Teeth Problems
Overgrown teeth in rabbits cause problems. Rabbits with overgrown teeth drool a lot. They also have difficulty chewing or swallowing food. Observe your rabbit for drooling. If your rabbit’s teeth are too long, you may notice changes in behavior. Other signs and symptoms of overgrown teeth in rabbits are:
- Lack of appetite
- Runny eyes.
- Dropping food.
- Wet chin or front legs.
- Rubbing face.
- Facial swelling.
- Lack of grooming.
- Feces accumulating under the tail.
How To KeepRabbits Teeth Short?
- Vegetables & Hay: Give your rabbits hay, vegetables, and grasses as part of their diet – these food items help maintain the health of their teeth. Rabbits should eat mostly hay, and also some vegetables. They should not eat too many pellets or nuggets.
- Chew Toys & Sticks: Make sure your rabbits have chew toys or sticks. Your rabbit can use these to help keep its teeth from overgrowing.
- Bi-weekly Exams: Examine your rabbit’s mouth twice per month. Look out for any redness or swelling around the gums. Is there tooth decay, abscesses in the mouth or neck area, and broken or chipped teeth?
- Breed of Rabbit: Another thing to keep in mind is that there are many different types of rabbit breeds. Some bunnies have longer teeth than others. This doesn’t mean that your pet rabbit needs special care. It means that you should pay attention to any changes in tooth growth!
- Veterenary Aid: Schedule a checkup at the vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary! This way, they can look into issues with their mouth before things get worse!
How Fast Do Rabbit Teeth Grow?
Rabbits’ teeth grow at a speed of around 1 cm or 0.3 in each month on average. In the case of an unopposed incisor, they can grow up to 1 mm or 0.03 mm each day.
How To Trim Rabbit Teeth Naturally
Rabbit teeth take a while to grow, and they will continuously do so throughout their life. You should never need to file your rabbit’s teeth! Instead, it would be best if you tried to maintain them. Let the bunny gnaw on items that wear down its front incisors naturally.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, regular examinations by your veterinarian are the best way to track changes in your rabbit’s teeth.
Also, feed them plenty of hay and vegetables. These promote good dental health for rabbits! Rabbits also need to chew toys so those teeth don’t become overgrown. The best time to check for issues is twice a month. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, visit your veterinarian right away! They can look into any mouth issues before things get worse!
If you liked this post, then you’ll like our other posts! How about learning how to cool down a bunny or how to pick up a bunny? There’s even an article about the best grooming kit for bunnies!
