My Bunny Cant Chew hard Food?

Question
I just found out right now that my rabbit hasn't been eating his pellets as much, and i just tried feeding him a carrot, but he couldn't chew, he tried nibbling at it several times, he does have appetite, but can't not successfully bite and chew hard foods, but he did chew his lettuce - only the soft part.  it looks like he doesn't know that he is having this issue.  when he eats his pellets, he'd have it inside his mouth, then suddenly just drops it out of his mouth. also, Ive been seeing that he hasn't been pooping either a lot, like he used to. i think it could be the fact that he's not eating due to the fact that he can't chew on hard food? even the stiff part of the lettuce stem. but I'm extremely concerned, and at this time of night, there isn't the nearest pet hospital that is open, can you please help, what is wrong with him? and is this serious?

Answer
Hi,

yes, it is serious.  He has a dental issue, probably his teeth are misaligned and not wearing down properly, and as a result they are cutting into his mouth.  Or he has molar spurs (basically same thing but with his molars in the back of the mouth).

He needs vet care to grind down his teeth so that he can eat.  You can't properly do this without him being sedated.  You will have to get him medical care somehow as this problem will not get better and he runs the risk of infections in the mouth and tongue because of the teeth cutting into those areas.

To keep him getting nutrition, you need to give him soft foods.  If you have canned pumpkin (not sweetened) - just "canned pumpkin" you can put a little bowl out for him.  You can give him soft lettuce.  You can soak his pellets in a little water and mash them up so he can eat a paste.

These suggestions are not a solution, but just a way to keep him getting nutrition.  You have to get him to medical care to get the teeth ground down.  This may have to be done periodically.

You can always check here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to see if you can find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet where you are.  They have links to vet reference pages internationally too, at this page.

I will pray for your bunny.  Please try to find a rabbit vet and get him in as soon as physically possible.  Make sure he keeps drinking water, and give him the soft foods described above.