Rabbit teeth grinding

by Steve
(Kent, England)

Hello Jenny

When a rabbit grinds its teeth, this can be either a good or bad sign.
Rabbits grind their teeth when they are content or feeling comfortable and happy. But they will also grind their teeth when they are in pain.
There is a difference in the way they grind the teeth. The grinding for contentment is more of a purring, whereas the pain grinding is more pronounced.
The best way to tell, is simply stroke and pet your rabbit. If the grinding then starts, you can be sure it is because he/she loves the attention.
If however your rabbit is grinding its teeth while he/she is on his/her own in the run/room/hutch then is more likely due to pain. One of the more common reasons for this pain are teeth problems, but there can be other reasons!
A visit to the vets would be a good idea

Steve

Comments for Rabbit teeth grinding

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May 13, 2020
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Grief and tooth grinding
by: Anonymous

My bun died yesterday, and we left her body out for Pablo to be with. Today we have buried her and he has spent the best part of the evening clunking and grinding his teeth. I said to my son, ‘he’s grieving and very sad’. Rabbits don’t cry, and they don’t make many sounds. The ones they do are usually meaningful. We are just cuddling him and stroking him and talking to him.

Dec 29, 2019
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Bereavement teeth grinding
by: Anonymous

Glad I saw the previous comment on loss of bonded partner. I had three two boys one girl and a day and a half after loosing one boy the other boy started grinding on and off and then the female started when he would, must be I feel the pain too sort of thing. Very complex and intelligent animals. Lots of cuddles seems to help.

Jun 11, 2019
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Grinding in emotional pain
by: Anonymous

One of my bonded rabbits died and this gave other one a lot of grief and during this period I noticed him grinding his teeth many a times. Vet advised that he was healthy.

I guess pain can be emotional too. Until this time I was not aware that rabbits can be this emotional.

Nov 13, 2013
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grinding of teeth
by: Anonymous

It should be noted, that when a rabbit grinds it's teeth loudly, it means the rabbit is in pain and/or tooth problems. The fact that a rabbit may have cancer can cause pain to the rabbit, so you will get the teeth grinding. However when a rabbit grinds the teeth lightly, like a soft purring, this can mean the rabbit is contented. Until you have experienced both sounds and are confident in what the difference is, i guess it is a little bit difficult to decide.
Loud grinding of teeth is pain, so it is best to assume the worse, if you are not sure and go to a vet

Nov 13, 2013
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Teeth Grinding
by: Anonymous

My rabbit started grinding her teeth a few days ago. I took her to the vet today and they think she has cancer.

Definitely take the rabbit into the vet as soon as you can.

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