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FEEDING RABBITS THAT HAVE DENTAL DISEASE In our YVCipedia article FEEDING RABBITS / PREVENTING DENTAL DISEASE we describe a balanced diet for pet rabbits. Acquired dental disease is a very common problem in rabbits, and there are some very important dietary modifications that should take place to assure maximum nutrition for a rabbit with dental disease. We describe dietary needs for rabbits at different stages of dental disease. It is important to remember, however, that an individual rabbit in one stage might have different needs from those of most of the other rabbits with the same stage. It is also important to remember that despite effective management dental disease is invariably progressive, so the needs of each rabbit are likely to change over time. RABBITS WITH MILD DENTAL DISEASE - A constant supply of good quality hay or dried grass - essential, even if the rabbit does not appear to eat much of it. Dried grass is sold as an alternative to hay and is softer. - Fresh grass - it can be picked and brought in to the rabbit, but if the rabbit can go out and graze in the sunshine, to allow it to synthesize and regulate its own vitamin C, that is ideal. - A wide variety of leafy green plants - please see the list and notes in our other FEEDING RABBITS article. - A very limited amount of pellets - or, if the rabbit is overweight and/or is eating hay or grass well, no pellets at all. - Very limited amounts of fruit and root vegetables. - No treats. MODERATE DENTAL DISEASE ADVANCED DENTAL DISEASE END-STAGE DENTAL DISEASE |