Pet Habitat South Africa

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12 Jun 2014

Caring For Rabbit's Oral Health

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Pet Care

Like all domestic pets, rabbits need their fair share of attention and care. As one of the most popular pets in South Africa, these animals are coming ever closer to our hearts. And, we are learning increasingly more about the proper way to love these pets so they can live long, healthy and happy lives.

A great deal of media attention has been paid to proper housing of domesticated rabbits, and every year around Easter, the public is urged not to adopt bunnies arbitrarily as gifts as this leads to a surge in rescue efforts annually.

One area that receives exceedingly little attention, unless tied to overall digestion is oral health and hygiene. Fortunately, rabbits do not need to brush their teeth, but they do have terribly specific concerns. Rabbit owners should know the main concerns, how to spot them – and more importantly, how to prevent them.

What Big Teeth You Have!

Unlike humans, rabbit teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime. On average, teeth grow at a rate of 10-12 cm a year. That is more than a mouthful considering the size and shape of a rabbit’s mouth. However, as you have surely realised, healthy rabbits just do not normally have such long, unsightly teeth. That’s because they grind them down – with the help of the right foods.

There are two ways that rabbits chew their food, one is up and down (much as we typically do), and the other is side to side. Although humans are encouraged by dentists (and partners trying to get a decent night’s rest) not to grind their teeth, this is precisely what rabbits should be doing for proper oral health.

Unless rabbits grind from side to side when mashing up their food, teeth become sharp and pointy. And these teeth still continue to grow so that they become long, sharp and pointy. This is a danger to any rabbit (and any owner who needs to take a look in her rabbit’s mouth). But, rabbits do not grind their teeth unless given a food that necessitates it. And there is one primary food source that supplies this impetus – timothy hay. Not only is this a rabbit’s favourite food, but it is also eaten through grinding. Although timothy hay also provides rabbits with the proper amount of fibre, this is another of the key reasons it is so crucial for proper health.

Sharp, Pointy Teeth and Other Problems

While long front teeth are easily visible to rabbit owners, a lot of the problems that rabbits experience are at the back of their mouths. Overgrown molars and spurs are the most common conditions that veterinarians see with their rabbit patients. These can be uncomfortable at the best of times, but when left untreated, these teeth may actually grow into a rabbit’s tongue creating unbelievable pain – and difficulty eating. Molars and spurs are the teeth used for mashing and grinding food before swallowing, and overgrowth is best avoided through quality feeds of timothy hay, which naturally prompt rabbits to grind them down.

Some rabbits may also experience Incisor Malocclusion, although it is less common than overgrown molars. Incisors are the front teeth used for ripping food into manageable pieces. With malocclusion, the front upper and lower teeth do not line up, so there is nothing stopping these teeth from growing. Over time, this condition presents itself when the teeth grow into long tusks either bending forward out of the mouth, or quite painfully curling back up into the gums. Either direction makes it impossible for rabbits to eat and obviously presents extreme discomfort. Although vets are able to file down these teeth on a regular basis, it can stress an already pained rabbit and the best recourse is typically extraction. Owners then need to ensure that only manageable bits of food are provided to their pets. Fortunately, timothy hay needs almost no preparation.

Dental disease, such as cavities and abscesses are possible and may present themselves with age, though, once again, a proper diet throughout a rabbit’s life can combat these conditions.

Now, Just Open Your Mouth Wide

You can eliminate a lot of fear and tension by examining your rabbit weekly. Not only will this help bond you with your rabbit, it will also alert you at the soonest possible moment to a condition that may need veterinary assistance.

In addition to obviously sharp or overgrown teeth, rabbits develop outward symptoms that owners should be aware of at all times. These include:

Runny or squinty eyes

Drooling (especially if it is continual)

Refusal to eat or other strange eating habits

Excessive drinking

If you spot any of these symptoms, your rabbit should be taken to the vet immediately.

Fortunately, preventive measures are easy and available. These few tips will avoid most conditions (with the major exception of jaw alignment, which is largely unavoidable except through responsible breeding).

As an owner, you should ensure that your rabbit always has plenty of timothy hay. This should form the primary part of your rabbit’s diet along with fresh water. There are also fresh greens and supplements which can be added to daily hay – but never in place of it. Each rabbit in your warren needs a pile of hay at least as large as himself every day for optimal health. Limit snacks that are high in sugar, such as carrots. And always ensure your rabbit has an annual check up – which should be scheduled around vaccination time.

With these few tips in mind, it should be smooth grinding for years to come. Thankfully, it is all part of owning a rabbit in the first place.