Rabbit meals painfully slow

I have two seven-year-old rabbits. They are littermates - one male and one female. Both have been neutered and have bonded well. I have noticed that the male eats more slowly, with a little spillage of food, compared to his companion. Why might this be?

- DR DAVID GRANT

These are classic signs of dental or mouth pain and there are various possible causes. An important one is uneven growth of the molar (cheek) teeth. Rabbit teeth grow continuously and require constant grinding down, usually with good-quality hay, which should make up at least 80% of the diet.