Because of their large teeth, small size, and burrowing habits, it’s easy to see why rabbits are commonly mistaken as rodents. The truth is that rabbits are actually lagomorphs, which means they have four incisors instead of two (like rats). Surprisingly, the differences in incisor development are the only reason rabbits are distinguished from mice, rats, and other rodents.
Rabbits Are Not Rodents; They’re Lagomorphs
Lagomorphs refer to a group of animals that develop four incisors in the upper jaw. Lagomorphs are mammals that consist of two groups, the Ochotonidae, which are pikas, and the Leporidae, which are hares and rabbits. To understand why rabbits were considered rodents, we have to go back in time.
Before the 20th century, rabbits were classified as rodents because they shared characteristics with rats, mice, and similar animals. These included certain chewing habits and shared diets. Upon further investigation, scientists discovered that the rabbit family had an extra two rows of teeth compared to rodents. They have a double set of incisors and smaller peg-shaped teeth located just behind the incisors. Rodents on the other hand, only have two sets of teeth in the upper and lower jaw and belong to the Rodentia family.
Now that we know that a rabbit is not a rodent, it is easier to provide the specific care they need as lagomorphs.
Why Rabbits Need Special Diets
Rabbits require a balanced diet of hay and high-fiber foods to prevent their teeth from growing too long. In addition to dental health, a balanced diet supports normal gut function in your long-eared pets. Lagomorphs consume fiber to ferment their food, which aids nutrient absorption. Insufficient fiber will lead to health issues in rabbits, with a high risk of potentially fatal conditions, like gut stasis, where digestion stops.
A rabbit’s diet should consist of 85% grass-type hay and a small portion of fresh vegetables. Some owners provide pelleted feed because it is balanced and convenient to feed; however, pellets don’t wear the teeth down and lack fiber. Feeding pellets alone increases the risk of gut stasis, so be sure to offer your furry friends a varied meal plan. The best rabbit diets are high in natural fiber consisting of hay, vegetables, and fruit only as a treat.
Do You Have to Trim a Rabbit’s Teeth?
A rabbit’s teeth will grow throughout their lives, and in some cases, they can become terribly overgrown. When a rabbit’s teeth are too long, the overgrowth will cause pain and affect its ability to eat. You may notice weight loss and, in severe cases, rabbits may not be able to drink, leading to dehydration. Rabbits with constant watery eyes may have overgrown incisors that are pushing on the tear ducts. The production of tears increases the risk of eye infections including ulcers. In some instances, overgrown bottom teeth can injure the jawbone.
This begs the question: do you manually file or trim your pet rabbit’s teeth to maintain a healthy length? The answer is, certainly not! There is no need to file a rabbit’s teeth if they have the correct diet and toys to keep those growing incisors in check. If your pet rabbit has difficulty eating or chronic eye problems, it is best to see a vet. Never attempt to trim your rabbit’s teeth because it could result in unevenness and splintering. It’s the responsibility of every rabbit owner to check their pet’s teeth once a week for any abnormalities.
Keeping Rabbits: How to Choose the Right Enclosure
Investing in the right size enclosure is an important part of rabbit keeping. The minimum sized cage for two small rabbits or one medium to large-sized rabbit is 10ft x 6ft x 3ft. An adult rabbit should have more than enough space to stand without having its ears touch the roof. Rabbits must have an area to stretch their legs and hop around to get enough daily exercise. It’s also a good idea to stock your rabbit’s cage with toys to provide enrichment.
Rabbits that are housed outside must be sheltered against wind, rain, and intense sunlight. Be sure to add a durable wire mesh that cannot be damaged by predators including raccoons. It’s a good idea to dig the mesh at least six inches into the ground to prevent your rabbits from tunneling underground and escaping.
Preventing Obesity in Rabbits
Rabbits can gain weight quickly, and being such bundles of fur, their extra weight can go undetected for some time until it starts causing problems. Obese rabbits are at a higher risk of heart issues and liver problems, but they also tend to suffer from skin problems. Because of their extra weight, rabbits cannot groom themselves properly, which prevents them from consuming caecotrophs. It may seem odd, but rabbits must consume caecotrophs, which are essentially their droppings, to absorb nutrients through re-digestion. If they cannot reach their hind legs to consume the droppings because of excess weight, it will cause gastrointestinal discomfort and malnutrition.
Overweight rabbits have very round hinds, and you won’t be able to see their ribs. They’ll also have a large fat fold, called a dewlap, under their chins, and they’ll struggle to stretch and turn. The simplest way to prevent obesity in your furry friends is to offer them free access to hay, which is very low in calories. Treats should be kept to a minimum and rabbits should have a large enough area to forage and move around.
