Do Rabbit Teeth Keep Growing? (Know It All)

Rabbits are adorable and fascinating little creatures that make great pets. But, do rabbit teeth keep growing? Do their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives?

This curiosity springs from the fact that some rabbits tend to have oversized incisors and even our favourite animated bunny, Bugs, was referred to as a buck-toothed varmint by a classic cartoon character.

Keep on reading to:

• Know if rabbit teeth keep growing
• How to know if your bunny friend teeth are overgrown
• And so much more…

But first, let’s get an understanding of the anatomy of our bunny friends.

The Anatomy of Rabbit’s Teeth

In order to understand the above question we need to take a closer look at the rabbit’s teeth anatomy. A rabbit while a baby has 16 deciduous teeth which are later replaced by 28 permanent teeth once they are adults.

The most interesting fact is they do not have the fang like teeth common in predators and carnivores. Instead they have 6 incisors and 22 cheek teeth. The cheek teeth refer to both molars and premolars.

Their dental anatomy is primarily because they are herbivores and chew tough fibrous foods. The incisors slice through the vegetation while the molars and premolars cut them down into smaller pieces.

This results in the rabbit constantly chewing its food and as a result their teeth wear out fairly quickly. In order to maintain their teeth and not end up chewing their teeth away, they constantly grow back.

So, do rabbit teeth keep growing? Let’s find out.

Do Rabbit Teeth Keep Growing?

Yes, rabbit’s teeth keep growing throughout their lives. The major reason why bunny teeth grow constantly is due to having open roots. As a matter of fact, their teeth can grow between three and 5 inches per year.

This is great for wild rabbits since they have an endless supply of rough fibers to chew on in order to maintain their teeth at healthy lengths.

Sadly however for their domesticated counterparts, their diet is less rough and may not wear the teeth faster than they grow. Pet rabbits are fed on pellets which are not intensive in terms of chewing. The pet owners should supplement their diet with hay, fibrous grass, leaves ,pieces of tree barks and twigs.

A sad fact is that sometimes their teeth end up overgrowing. The easiest teeth to notice their overgrowth are the incisors since they are exposed more than the cheek teeth.

This is a problem since they can curl up out of the rabbit’s lips. In extreme cases they curl up into the rabbit’s gums or even grow into its mouth’s roof. The protruding incisors are not ideal since it makes it difficult for the bunny to chew and its movement is also harder since the teeth can get stuck on things like cage bars.

This condition is not limited only to the incisors but the cheek teeth can also overgrow. Usually the overgrowth of the molars and premolars is not as evident and is noticed at a later stage.

In order to see the rabbit’s molars one needs a specialised equipment called speculum which not all pet owners have. This is why it is highly advisable to regularly take your bunny to the vet to get its teeth growth monitored.

Some of the symptoms that the molars are oversized include excessive drooling, inability to chew and swallow. The inability to chew and swallow can lead to a life threatening condition known as ileus. This is a condition where the intestines lack normal muscle contractions temporarily.

Another key symptom to look out for is excessive sneezing from your bunny friend. Since they end up overgrowing, some of the teeth may end up irritating their noses leading to dry sneezes. Make sure to get them checked regularly by your local vet.

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Do Rabbit Teeth Need to be Trimmed?

Ideally with the right diet in place, you might not need to trim your rabbit’s teeth. However, for our domesticated furry friends, it’s very common to hear of overgrown teeth problem; this ends up leading to trimming.

The trimming process to be implemented will depend on the exact section of their teeth that has been affected the most. Meaning, the options to trim molars and incisors teeth differ.

The good news is that we can remedy both overgrown situations. For the incisors overgrowth there are two remedies:

1. Using nail clippers

This method uses the usual dog clippers to trim the incisors. It is not the most ideal method since you risk splitting or cracking the tooth. Your local vet should be able to advice on the most appropriate approach to take.

2. Using a rotary tool

This method uses tools like a dental bur or a dremel to chip off the excess tooth. You will have to administer an anesthetic for this and the individual carrying out the procedure needs to be experienced. The major advantage of this method is the reduced risk of trauma to the tooth or the nerves.

For the case of the overgrown molar, a specialized dentist is required to carry out the procedure since it is not easily accessible. Additional tests like x-rays may be required to determine whether the tooth has any diseases or if it may require extraction.

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How Often do Rabbits Teeth Need trimming?

The frequency of teeth trimming in rabbits with vary depending on a number of factors such as their diet. Some rabbits may require trimming once a month. This can be quite distressing for rabbits and your vet is more likely to recommend removal of the affected tooth.

Since their teeth never stop growing throughout their life, trimming might be a good option to prevent any further issues with your bunny friend. This option is however, painful and could be detrimental to your bunny’s long-term health.

The better option would be to remove the affected tooth. Always consult with your vet to ensure you get the best solutions for your bun friend.

How do I Stop my Rabbits Teeth from Growing?

Unfortunately, you can’t really stop your rabbit’s teeth from growing since they never stop growing throughout their lives. However, there are simple steps that you can take to prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Below are some options you could take to prevent your rabbit’s teeth from overgrowing.

1. Regular checking their dental situation – You should always check their teeth at least once a week and be on the lookout for anything unusual.
2. Feeding them the right diet – Diet rich in fibre will go a long way in providing natural wear and tear their teeth. Diet such as grass, leafy vegetables like kale, hay, e.t.c
3. Provide safe chew objects – Safe objects such as plain blocks such as smooth woods and some rabbit toys could be good options to work with.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, yes a rabbit’s teeth grow throughout its lifetime and with the correct care like weekly oral examinations, a fibrous food filled diet as well as chewing toys can go a long way to ensure they grow in a healthy manner.