Bugs Bunny seems to have only 2 teeth, the two big “buck” teeth with which he eats carrots.
When we started raising rabbits at hobby farm heaven, we were amazed to find out several important rabbit teeth facts.
Rabbits have 28 teeth. There are 16 on the top jaw and 12 on the bottom jaw. Baby rabbit teeth do fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. A rabbit’s adult teeth are “open rooted” and never stop growing. Additionally, adult rabbits have incisors, premolars and molars; but rabbits do not have canine teeth.
Here’s a run down on rabbit teeth.
Top Jaw is 16 teeth; 8 on each side.
- 4 Incisors (two on either side of the midline)
- 0 Canine
- 6 Premolars (3 on either side)
- 6 Molars (3 on either side)
Bottom Jaw is 12 teeth; 6 on each side.
- 2 Incisors (one on either side of the midline)
- 0 Canine
- 4 Pre-Molars (2 on either side)
- 6 Molars (3 on either side).
Additionally, here is a schematic of where the rabbit teeth are located in a rabbit’s mouth.
Rabbit Teeth Dental Chart And Rabbit Dental Anatomy
The 6 incisors in the front of the rabbit’s mouth are used for cutting and clipping, grass, hay, stems and twigs.
Additionally, the incisors are used to peel bark off of saplings in the winter when hay may be covered by snow. The incisors are like chisels. These six teeth are the only rabbit teeth we typically see!
What Are Cheek Teeth
A rabbit’s premolars and molars are known as cheek teeth. They are usually hidden behind and alongside the rabbits cheeks!
The 10 premolars and 12 molars are called the cheek teeth because they align along the rabbit’s cheeks. These cheek teeth are used for grinding up food. We typically do not see any of the cheek teeth unless we deliberately open the rabbit’s mouth and look for them.
How Fast Do Rabbits Chew
Veterinarians and scientists have recorded up to 120 jaw movements per minute while rabbits chew their food.
Please note that Cecotrophs are not chewed, but are swallowed whole. For more on Cecotrophs we have a post How Often Do Rabbits Poop?
Additionally, the non-profit San Diego House Rabbit Society has some great information about cecotrophs.
Lastly, recall that rabbits can not see directly in front of their mouths. Their lips and whiskers help them adeptly manipulate their food.
Rabbit With Teeth Problems
Too many owners do not realize that they have a rabbit with teeth problems and assume that their rabbits have healthy rabbit teeth.
But never forget that rabbits need a periodic health check just like any other pet or livestock. Frequently, owners realize one of their rabbits has a teeth problem only when the rabbit appears to be sick – at this point the rabbit is already suffering and tremendously stressed!
Worse case is if the rabbit has stopped eating, because GI Stasis may set in and the rabbit may die.
We recommend that all rabbit owners check their rabbit’s teeth as part of a periodic overall health check; like humans getting a physical.
In this video a veterinarian explains How To Check A Rabbits Teeth and How To Check A Rabbit’s Back Teeth and How To Tell If Your Rabbit Has Teeth Problems
Rabbit Teeth Problems – The Most Frequent Rabbit Dental Problems
Here is a list of the most common rabbit teeth problems:
- Rabbit teeth long and rabbit teeth overgrown – Rabbit teeth that overlap are also too long or overgrown rabbit teeth and are sometimes referred to as rabbit wolf teeth. If your rabbit’s teeth are normal, then their teeth will naturally wear down while they eat their high fiber diet.
The high fiber diet is abrasive on the rabbit’s teeth and wears the teeth down as the teeth grow, so that they do not become overgrown and cause health problems. In most cases, rabbit teeth are worn down as the rabbit eats hay. - Rabbit teeth malocclusion – occlusion is alignment… malocclusion means misaligned teeth. Misaligned teeth do not wear down properly, they become too long and overgrown.
- Rabbit teeth broken – A rabbit tooth may be broken because the rabbit ran into something or bit into something hard that broke its tooth. If the root is not damaged, then the tooth will likely grow out from the root. In time the tooth may be working again.
- Rabbit teeth burring and Rabbit Teeth spurring – Again, if there is a misalignment then one side or ridge of a tooth does not wear properly, continues to grow and creates a burr or spur that may pinch or cut into the rabbit’s cheek or tongue.
Rabbit Teeth Overgrown
The most common issue for rabbits with teeth problems is overgrown teeth due to malocclusion.
Rabbits with teeth problems will not eat well and are likely to eventually become malnourished. Poor nourishment leads to stress and a weak immune system.
These conditions often spiral downward quickly and a rabbit with teeth problems may die. Malocclusion can lead to damaged roots, restricted blood flow, bacterial infections and abscesses – please check your rabbits’ teeth!
Additionally, this MediRabbit.com article covering Rabbit Dental Diseases and Rabbit Dentistry provides great pictures and drawings for rabbit dental care.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To How Many Teeth Does A Rabbit Have
AKA Rabbit Teeth Facts
Do Rabbit Teeth Need To Be Trimmed?
If rabbit teeth are properly aligned (upper jaw teeth and lower jaw teeth), then their teeth will wear properly and will not need to be trimmed. However, if there is a misalignment, then the open rooted adult rabbit teeth will continue to grow and will need to be trimmed.
Additionally, as with humans, rabbits will sometimes have a tooth that is misaligned and significantly pointing in an unfortunate direction. This may be a tooth that is pointing inward toward the tongue or outward toward the cheek. Either way, a misaligned tooth will not wear properly and will need to be repeatedly trimmed.
Here is a great video explaining this.
Are Rabbit Teeth Sharp?
Yes, rabbit teeth are sharp. Their incisors are used to clip grass and twigs.
Do Rabbits Lose Their Teeth?
Young rabbits do lose their baby teeth as they begin to eat grass, hay and other adult rabbit foods. The baby teeth are pushed out as their adult teeth naturally grow in.
Final Thoughts on How Many Teeth Do Rabbits Have
It is interesting to think that rabbit teeth never stop growing. You can see in the pictures and videos that rabbit teeth can become extremely long.
Perhaps even more interesting is that eating hay and twigs provides enough friction to keep a rabbit’s ever growing teeth properly worn down.
The reality is that checking your rabbit’s mouth and teeth should be part of the daily health and hygiene checks that we continuously encourage and promote.