How I Became A Rabbit Dentist / Trimming My Rabbit's Teeth / Can You Do It On Your Own?

When I first started raising rabbits, I never thought I'd be playing dentist! It wasn't until a couple of months after we got Mork that I realized he had a problem. I noticed he wasn't pooping that much and I was really worried that he was sick, constipated, or something. I was researching all the reasons why a rabbit might stop eating and I stumbled on an article about malocclusion in rabbits. When I checked his teeth and saw how long they had gotten, I new that was the issue. I studied up on what other breeders were doing, gathered up the tools and did what I had to do as a rabbit daddy. I'm pleased to say that Mork has been eating fine and doing his rabbit thing ever since!
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Dremel 8220-1/28 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit - amzn.to/2YJikm2
Dremel EZ545 1-1/2-Inch EZ Lock Diamond Wheel - amzn.to/34LDqEi

[@yabetta]

Hi, bunny owner and jewelry artist here, who uses these tools regularly. (beautiful bun btw) Please note- even though a bunny can't feel the cutting, these tools heat up and they absolutely can feel that. It's important to 'stop start' even if you have the urge to get it done fast. It's even better if you get a tool that allows you to change the speed.

[@michelleragan8258]

i love how patient and kind you are to that bunny. Thanks for the video. I followed a suggestion of using pet nail trimmers and it broke my bunny's teeth off at the gum line and caused bleeding. I won't do that again. Thanks to this video, I can now safely trim the teeth of my little HoneyBun.

[@monicawilliams4394]

This will definitely help me, I just bought a rabbit with malocclusion. Thanks!

[@ThePrognoid]

Glad to be of service! Thanks for watching!

[@XPrincess30]

Thoughts on removing the teeth?

[@itsthatonechickagaincallth7843]

In all honesty, I didn't understand this until I dealt with this situation myself. Laying a rabbit on their back is bad, but it keeps it from doing more damage to itself, and if you go quickly enough it lessens the trauma. Yes, going to a vet would be best, but not many people have an extra $300 a month. I wasn't told about my rabbit's issues and the lady left asap. I was blindsided with all of these issues and am thinking about rehoming him, but again, not many people are willing to WILLINGLY take a rabbit like this. They would most likely be euthanized before finding a home. The cons: rabbit has to be awake, which could cause shock pros: rabbits is able to eat, not die of infection from wounds caused by teeth, and can live a happy rest of it's life.

[@Acontador13]

That dremel and the rabbit is scary. Glad you have a steady hand and a great assistant.

[@g3monster89]

Using a nail trimmer would be fine too and lower impact...Rabbit teeth are essentially the same material as nails...best way i've found to do it with minimal stress is to wrap up your bunny but keep the legs on the floor instead of putting the rabbit on its back and then use a really sharp pair of cat nail clippers and quickly reach in...If your clippers are sharp enough you'll be in and out in a couple of seconds for each set. Minimal stress and your bunny will just bounce away like nothing happened and go back to eating.

[@ThePrognoid]

There's a much higher risk of shattering the tooth with nail trimmers, in my experience. Not recommended. But you do you.

[@g3monster89]

@@ThePrognoid Never had that issue and I had 5 bunnies from the same litter with this issue...they were given away because no one wanted to deal with them...must be super sharp clipper or yes you could fracture the teeth...I did it every week as they grew though so i only needed to take a few 16ths at a time which results in less stress on the teeth if using this method.

[@jennywilliams-jva]

We're you able to cut without causing further damage on each occasion?

[@g3monster89]

@@jennywilliams-jva Yes...never had an issue just have to keep the clippers at a 30gram or less sharpness (with 10lb fishing line) on a knife sharpness tester...It slices through the tooth so easily it's like a hot knife through butter...almost 0 resistance...The biggest thing is sharpen the blades after every use and if the blade is ever deformed replace it don't even think about trying to save it.Steel is cheap but critical care for 4 weeks while the tooth regrows isn't...If you don't have a sharpness tester the next best method is to get some 80lb braided nylon fishing line and use your clippers to cut it...If you can't cut through it easily while using only 2 fingers your clippers aren't up to the job

[@al--kay8125]

*THANK YOU* Mister for showing how it's done in "best Way"/least dangerous Way! There are still Idiots on Internet who Pinch off the teeth with a Plier..😡😠 Some People (comment sec.) don't seem to understand that the *Rabbit will DIE if you do nothing!!* 🤕 And laying it on it's back of Course is not Great! But it's the Best way of ensuring it won't jump into the Tool!! This Procedure needs to be repeated every few Weeks! People can't pay a Vet. every 4 weeks for the Rest of Rabbits Life!

[@alexandraaubertin]

Thanks! Very informative. I took my rabbit to the vet and he cut it with a nail trimmer! I was a bit shocked as it didn't seem appropriate so i researched it and found your video. I'll rather do it myself like you do than have him use a nail trimmer again!

[@jennadeknight9056]

I had the same thing happen with my bun!! I thought he was a girl so he was Darla then the male bits were visible so he became Darko like Donnie Darko! Lol thank you for this very helpful video!

[@pippapieces3991]

You still have to get an attachment in order for the diamond wheel to attach to the Dremel 8220

[@RomeoRabbitRescuecNon-profitCo]

Can you provide a link to this Dremel tool and the diamond wheel attachment please?

[@MaNa-uy3ol]

So sweet and gentle how you handle your bunny 🤗🙂is there a way to file bunnies the back teeth?or is dangerous? cheers and thanks for the info🙋‍♀️✌️appreciate 🖐️🙏

[@ThePrognoid]

Thank you! Mork was such a sweet boy! I've never had a rabbit that was so loveable! I haven't ever hear of anyone having to file the back teeth. I suppose it could be done but you may be better off taking the rabbit to a vet that specializes in rabbits for that so he/she can be sedated.

[@MaNa-uy3ol]

@@ThePrognoid thank for the replay is sad to lose a baby😢I'm sorry,but yes is a common problem on bunnies and my Noah seems to have so the first vet said ☹️ I'm trying to book an appointment and he has a problem on corner of the left eye that for sure will need surgery nothing life treating thanks Jesus 👀👍🤞🙏thanks Living Sustainability cheers stay safe 😷🐇🐈🐈💖

[@ThePrognoid]

@@MaNa-uy3ol You stay safe as well and good luck on your bun!

[@bigbotno1]

The trimming itself mayeby not hurt, but it does cause a lot of stress, which is traumatising and can be deadly to rabbits. Not to think if something goes wrong.

[@ThePrognoid]

No doubt it can be stressful. Unfortunately it's either that, cull, or let the poor thing starve.

[@murali757]

The Front Teeth can be cut this way but the back teeth trim would need a VET to cut under anesthesia , it could be stressful for rabbits mine passed away due to the stress.

[@felicityh.1947]

Do you have any videos of how to swaddle/bundle the rabbit?

[@katierevis8040]

Thank you so much ! Awesome video !

[@billystergiopoulos8025]

Done my rabbits teeth with sidecutters 😂😂he's happy as Larry now since not going up his nostrils any more. Oh l will be buying one of those dremmels also as l also need it to rebirth cars😅😅

[@tiffinywhite7626]

Hi! Thanks for the video! I may uave missed it, but how short can the bottom front teeth be trimmed to before hitting nerves? We trimmed oir rabbits teeth to 1/4 inch long because someone in a fb group im in saod to not go shorter than that....but now Im curious if they meant the top teeth because they still seem way too long. Thanks!

[@karlament6939]

I got to do the same thing with my bunny and I have never ever have trimmed a bunny's a rabbit's teeth they want $224 up here in Canada to trim its teeth and examine it and that's just highway robbery so thank you very much for this video I put it on my favourites thank you and stay safe and give the little bunny rabbit a little kiss on the forehead for me

[@namratamishra4685]

Only front teeth grown out or all teeth?? N what's the early symptoms of it?

[@ketocutie]

Sorry have only watched your rabbit tractor vid, this one, and your update. You may or may not know that maloclussion is more often than not genetic in rabbits. Its recessive so both parents have to carry for it to be expressed. I saw that you got a rabbit from the same breeder as this one is from. Pedigree doesn't mean quality. I would watch your stock and watch what they produce very very closely. Make sure they don't carry malocclusion themselves. This may take some line breeding to see who exactly carries. I myself have bred rabbits with perfect teeth to end up with half a litter with malocclusion. Hence both the doe and buck carried. It presents very early 6-8 weeks you can notice a difference in growth rate. I would never ever sell a rabbit to someone that had malocclusion! When I give a health check and a type/weight assessment its one of things that means they will get culled. They immediately go into the freezer after hitting a decent weight or if i see they are having too much difficulty eating. I personally only keep the doe around that carries malocclusion around because im emotionally attached to her and shes a good mom. None of her future kits will ever be sold since she is a carrier! Its unethical! Rabbits dont need wood to chew on to grind down teeth. Its a fun toy but they only really need a quality pellet and hay to keep teeth trim. Personally also raise silver fox. I love them but they still need a lot of work as a breed because of people selling low quality rabbits. I try to get my stock from people that show but they still have flaws. All you can do is breed the best parts together and see what comes out.

[@maeveilnunez2726]

I need something like this one. 😭

[@quincyroyce3226]

a trick: you can watch series at Kaldrostream. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies these days.

[@gregorydaniel9068]

@Quincy Royce yea, I have been using KaldroStream for since november myself :)

[@elliselisha7001]

@Quincy Royce Yea, been watching on KaldroStream for since november myself :D

[@rbt70]

Where do I find the tool to cut my rabbit's teeth like the one you use in the video?

[@jas8426]

Thank you for your informative video they are so helpful. I was wondering if you could help me with a concern of mine... i have an almost 4 month old bunny. He’s still pretty shy and unfortunately has malocclusion and his incisors need to be trimmed every 3/4 weeks. I live in NY and cannot afford the $200 tooth trimming every few weeks so I am opting to do it myself. He is still getting used to his environment and his new owners as we’ve only had him about two months now... Can you tell me if doing this kind of procedure on them every few weeks will make them develop a distrust to their humans?

[@ThePrognoid]

While I'm no expert, my experience tells me that rabbits are pretty smart critters. A malocclusion is very uncomfortable for the rabbit when the teeth get too long. They're pretty fearful by nature but they recognize after a while that what you're doing helps them. So to answer your question, I only have my experience with Mork to go on, but he was always happy to see me and never shied away because he knew that I was just trying to help.

[@isabelprado3424]

My bunny still eats but his teeth look overgrown I don’t know what to do

[@Kiroselg]

I bought the dremel you linked! Could you clarify which cutting piece is the diamond tipped one? Or do you have to buy them separately? And what speed do you use it on? Thanks for the video! One of my rabbits is missing a bottom tooth, so he has nothing to grind one of his top teeth on and we just can't keep up his £200 vet visits every two months. I'm nervous but hopeful!

[@ThePrognoid]

Hi. If you look in the notes there are two links. One is the Dremel tool with some attachments and the second one is the actual diamond tipped rotary bit.

[@Kiroselg]

@@ThePrognoid Thanks! What speed do you use the dremel on? I feel a little nervous with it on full blast

[@ThePrognoid]

Understandable! I go about half speed. Good luck!

[@Kiroselg]

@@ThePrognoid Thank you!!

[@amankizl574]

Hey sir i want to know if there is anything that helps stopping its teeth from growing crazy besides hard food cuz you know when they grow they cant chew properly ,and my bunny becomes a little ill after trimming his teeth and that makes him not wanting to eat or play? If u see this please give me some tips i feel so bad for it it breaks my heart

[@aloha-lea-leiromero4790]

What a big heeelp. T- T I just bought a lion head. She's so thin. And I saw her lower was really long. I'm like gonna cry because of her condition. Coz of her first owner not looking after her well.

[@ThePrognoid]

It definitely is a huge relief when you see them start eating again. Good luck!

[@kennedyp3299]

How do you know that you need to trim your rabbits teeth? My rabbit has started teeth grinding and I’m a little worried

[@ThePrognoid]

The upper incisors should slide right over the lowers. If they are aligned correctly they'll act like a pair of scissors when chewing grass and hay. You should be able to insert your thumb and forefinger behind the incisors and pull the gums back to examine.

[@elliwildbird]

Does teeth dust get in his lungs on his back w mouth open like that? Arent clippers quieter? I am just learning, so really just plain curious.

[@ThePrognoid]

Clippers are quieter but they can cause the teeth to splinter.

[@elliwildbird]

@@ThePrognoid ok good to understand and teeth cutting dust?

[@ThePrognoid]

@@elliwildbird Never had a problem with it.

[@AyesisClarke-fq1vz]

Do you use anything to calm your bunnies down b4 trimming?

[@mujahidalikhan4342]

That was so scary for rabbit

[@swastikadalui8462]

Please help me my rabbit's teeth is little bit blackish towards the end is it a problem and if it is then what should I do

[@ThePrognoid]

I would recommend you seek out a veterinarian in your area that has experience with rabbits and have him seen.

[@daredevil.1946]

I have two that need to be trimmed. The Vet charged me 300$. Now second rabbit has an issue. The bottom teeth are discolored. What can that be?

[@ThePrognoid]

According to rabbitcaretips.com/rabbit-teeth-discoloration/ it could mean that the rabbit has some sort of nutrition deficiency. But if he has a malocclusion it's more likely that the bottom teeth aren't able to naturally grind down because they're not properly lined up with the upper teeth.

[@deedeer7022]

How comes a pedigreed rabbit has such upper front teeth? They are completely growing apart! Also, the reason why it's bad to put a rabbit on its back, is because of the burden it puts on its fragile heart (the same heart that so often stops during surgery). So no, it's not 'safe', especially when it takes that much time to trim two teeth. And last, it's not only the front teeth that grow constantly, it's all of them. So if you're going to get a rabbit's teeth checked, go to a vet and have the back teeth checked too, because if the front teeth are in that state, there are big chances that the back teeth are in poor health too.

[@ThePrognoid]

First off, I think you're putting too much weight on a pedigree. A pedigree is only a record of Ancestry. Even the most highly pedigreed rabbits can have genetic flaws. Second, while it's not ideal to put a rabbit on its back, it's the best way to get the job done and keep the rabbit safe. I'm sure you'd agree it's better for the rabbit to endure being on his back for a few minutes than to let him starve to death because of a malocclusion preventing him from being able to eat. Third, very few people have the budget to be able to take a rabbit to the vet every few weeks to have his teeth trimmed and if they do, vets that will work on rabbits at all can be hard to find. Maybe that's not the case in your area but in my experience, yeah...good luck finding a vet that will do this for you.

[@omarkhan3464]

poor rabbit