How Can I Straighten Certain My Rabbit Wears Its Teeth Trailing?
Rabbits have teeth that grow continually throughout their lives.
In the wild, rabbits chew on a wide variety of items that naturally wear
down their teeth. Give your captive rabbit routine veterinary care and
plenty of opportunities to chew to keep this growth in check.
Tooth Anatomy
Rabbits have six teeth on each side of their upper jaws and five
teeth on each side of their lower jaws, plus four incisors and two peg
teeth. The cheek teeth function much like human teeth, grinding and
breaking down food for digestion. The large incisors are larger and much
sharper than the check teeth, and are used to cut and slice food into
smaller, bite-sized chunks. A rabbit’s teeth are open-rooted, meaning
they will grow throughout his life, and must be kept in check to avoid
abnormal growth.
What to Chew
A fiber-filled diet is one of the best ways to combat tooth
issues. In the wild, rabbits eat a plethora of fiber, including grasses,
leaves and bark-covered sticks that wear down their teeth. Many pet
rabbits are fed a pelleted diet, which lacks the heavy fiber required
for proper tooth wear. Provide your rabbit with a variety of fresh hay
to promote healthy teeth. Offer your bunny a few twigs each day as an
additional source of fiber. Apple, maple and willow branches are all
safe choices for your bunny, although you may want to freeze them
overnight to kill unwanted insects before feeding.
Signs of Tooth Issues
Routine checks are an essential part of keeping your rabbit’s
teeth in good condition. When the teeth become too long, they meet
abnormally and form small hooks, known as spurs. These spurs can cut
into nearby cheek and gum tissue, which may result in painful abscesses.
Rabbits are prey animals, and are notoriously good at hiding pain, so
you may not notice your rabbit is in pain until it is too late. Check
his teeth at least once a month, and watch closely for any signs that he
is in pain, such as a lack of interest in food or digging at his mouth
with his paws.
When to Call the Vet
Your rabbit should visit your vet at least once a year to make
sure his teeth are healthy and in good condition. Your vet will check
his teeth, and trim them if necessary using special dental tools.
Between checkups, watch closely for signs of abscesses or tooth pain.
These include drooling, rubbing his face with his paws, swelling along
the sides of the face, and foul-smelling or bloody discharge from the
mouth.