Glossary · 🩺 Health
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is misalignment of the continuously-growing teeth, causing painful overgrowth, sharp spurs and difficulty eating — common in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus.
Causes include genetics, injury and (most often) a diet too low in hay to wear the teeth down. Signs include drooling, weight loss, dropping food and a change in tooth colour or shape.
A vet can file or trim the teeth, sometimes repeatedly, but plenty of hay and gnawing prevents most cases.