Parts of a Rabbit: Teeth

I've decided to do an article on rabbit teeth. Nothing much to know, right? Not at all.
When considering purchasing a rabbit or when caring for a rabbit you have already acquired, it is necessary to understand a few essential facts.

1. Rabbits have a total of 28 teeth. They have four incisors; two on the top, two on the bottom. Behind the two top incisors, they have two small "peg teeth". Rabbits also have six upper premolars, four lower premolars, six upper molars and six lower molars. Behind the incisors is a flat space without teeth called the diastema. 
2. A rabbit's teeth grow non-stop. Usually, they grow 1/4 of an inch in a month! 
3. If a rabbit's teeth begin to grow crooked or if they become overgrown, they must be clipped. You need to be able to clip the teeth yourself or find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian who will clip the teeth for you. Don't worry, though, a rabbit's oral nerves stop just below their gum line, so they cannot feel this. 
4. Because they need a way to wear down their teeth, it is best to keep your rabbits in a fresh supply of hay and rabbit-safe chew toys. 

Malocclusion is a very common problem in rabbits, and it is most often caused by lack of dietary fiber, lack of chews to wear down their teeth, or abnormal growth. It can easily be avoided by giving your rabbits hay and something to chew on. Apple tree branches are excellent chew toys, as well as aspen wood, maple wood, mulberry, willow, and crabapple wood. I also like to give my rabbits cardboard boxes or toilet paper tubes stuffed with hay. 

When a rabbit stops eating, they are in a dangerous situation instantly. Never overlook loss of appetite; it's better to be safe than sorry, and rabbits can recede into GI stasis quickly when left untreated. The first thing you should do when your rabbit stops eating is attempt to determine if they are excreting fecal matter and then check their teeth. Sometimes, the rabbit stops eating because their teeth are crooked, chipped, or overgrown, among other dental issues. 

In short, it is best to check your rabbit's teeth regularly, as well as providing access to hay and chew toys.

Happy Hopping!