Oh, I agree. It does sound like he wants to eat but is just finding it uncomfortable. With a malocclusion its very likely he’s developed some molar spurs.
It’s funny but pellets are often the 1st thing they snub when unwell and the last thing they start eating again when recovering. Even my pellet-crazed girl didn’t want them after a dental procedure. She was trying to eat paper before pellets!
Another way you can try give the pellets is to soak them and offer them in a bowl.
Here’s some techniques from a stasis article for making a pellet mush: (http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm)
Microwaved pellet mixes. In a small bowl, add about 1-2 tablespoons of your rabbit’s pellets and enough water to cover them, with a tiny bit to spare. Microwave for 15-20 seconds, until water is absorbed and pellets are puffed almost completely apart (looks a bit like fluffed rice). Fluff with fork an allow to cool until luke- warm and give to bunny. Often the aroma will entice bunny to eat.
Sometimes adding a bit of sugar-free applesauce or sugar-free fruit juice to the pellet mix will entice bunny. Ask your vet if this is okay in your rabbit’s specific case, as sometimes sugary fruits can add to an existing problem.
Syringe formula Using a your coffee grinder, add the timothy pellets and grind them until they are in a fine, powdery-like state. Even then you will sometimes need to sift through them to pick out larger chunks which will not go through the oral syringe.
Add 2-4 tablespoons of the powdered mix to your bowl or cup (save the rest in a ziplock for later).
Add warm water (or Pedialyte), slowly, as you mix – until the mix is about as thick as semi-congealed pudding. Wait 3-5 minutes for pellets to absorb water.
Add more water until the mix is once again like semi-congealed pudding. Wait another minute or so…
Now add the juice, a little at a time, waiting 30 seconds to 1 minute, until your mix is the consistency of semi-congealed pudding. It should be liquidy enough to flow well through the oral syringe, but not so watery that you won’t be getting actual food into your rabbit.
NOTE: If you are unable to make your own syringe formula, OxBow Hay Co. makes a wonderful syringe feeding formula called “Critical Care” which can usually be purchased through your rabbit vet. This is GREAT stuff, however, over a long period of time it can become quite expensive.
Real important to keep getting food into him. I hope the vet appt goes well for Biscuit!