Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore
Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore is a fiber-focused, herbivore-specific recovery formula widely used for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores. It holds its best-in-class position because it balances hay-derived fiber with easily digestible calories for sustained GI motility and recovery while remaining broadly available and generally more cost-effective than some concentrated intensive-care powders. Compared with denser emergency formulas on this list, Oxbow emphasizes long-term gut health for herbivores rather than maximal short-term calorie density.
Easy tube feeding
High-fiber support
Easy tube feeding
High-fiber support
Review Summary
"Users report Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore is highly effective and palatable for rabbits and other small herbivores, easy to syringe-feed and helpful in recovery. Some owners mention a strong smell and occasional clumping when mixed."
Meadow-flavored comfort
Powdered, easily reconstituted formula for syringe or bowl feeding of rabbits and small herbivores.
Meadow-flavored comfort
Powdered, easily reconstituted formula for syringe or bowl feeding of rabbits and small herbivores.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Oxbow Critical Care Herbivore is a fiber-focused, herbivore-specific recovery formula widely used for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores. It holds its best-in-class position because it balances hay-derived fiber with easily digestible calories for sustained GI motility and recovery while remaining broadly available and generally more cost-effective than some concentrated intensive-care powders. Compared with denser emergency formulas on this list, Oxbow emphasizes long-term gut health for herbivores rather than maximal short-term calorie density.
Easy tube feeding
High-fiber support
Meadow-flavored comfort
Powdered, easily reconstituted formula for syringe or bowl feeding of rabbits and small herbivores.
Designed with high-quality fiber blend to support hindgut fermentation and digestive recovery.
Easy tube feeding
High-fiber support
Meadow-flavored comfort
Powdered, easily reconstituted formula for syringe or bowl feeding of rabbits and small herbivores.
Designed with high-quality fiber blend to support hindgut fermentation and digestive recovery.
$20-40 CAD
Lafeber Emeraid Intensive Care Herbivore
Lafeber Emeraid Intensive Care Herbivore is a high-calorie, nutrient-dense powdered formula formulated for severely anorexic or critically ill herbivores. It earns a market-leader reputation for delivering concentrated energy and a complete micronutrient profile in minimal volumes, making it technically superior in acute stabilization compared with more fiber-forward products like Oxbow, though this concentration typically comes with a higher per-serving cost. Veterinarians choose it when maximum nutrient delivery in the smallest feeding volume is required despite the added expense versus general recovery diets.
High-calorie boost
Vet-formulated blend
High-calorie boost
Vet-formulated blend
Review Summary
"Lafeber Emeraid Intensive Care Herbivore is praised for its high calorie density and good palatability, often preferred for critically ill herbivores. Criticisms focus on higher cost and occasional mixing/consistency issues."
Soothing vanilla hint
Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich powder formulated for rapid refeeding of anorectic herbivores.
Soothing vanilla hint
Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich powder formulated for rapid refeeding of anorectic herbivores.
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Skill Development & Mastery
Lafeber Emeraid Intensive Care Herbivore is a high-calorie, nutrient-dense powdered formula formulated for severely anorexic or critically ill herbivores. It earns a market-leader reputation for delivering concentrated energy and a complete micronutrient profile in minimal volumes, making it technically superior in acute stabilization compared with more fiber-forward products like Oxbow, though this concentration typically comes with a higher per-serving cost. Veterinarians choose it when maximum nutrient delivery in the smallest feeding volume is required despite the added expense versus general recovery diets.
High-calorie boost
Vet-formulated blend
Soothing vanilla hint
Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich powder formulated for rapid refeeding of anorectic herbivores.
Mixes to a smooth, palatable slurry suitable for syringe or assisted feeding.
High-calorie boost
Vet-formulated blend
Soothing vanilla hint
Calorie-dense, nutrient-rich powder formulated for rapid refeeding of anorectic herbivores.
Mixes to a smooth, palatable slurry suitable for syringe or assisted feeding.
$25-50 CAD
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care is a veterinary-formulated, high-protein/high-fat urgent-care diet widely used for syringe or tube feeding in small carnivores and omnivores. Its prescription-backed formulation and strong clinical support make it a go-to in clinical settings for rapid caloric and protein delivery, offering superior palatability and clinical dosing guidance compared with many over-the-counter herbivore formulas, though it may be inappropriate for strict herbivores. Financially positioned as a premium, clinic-distributed product, it provides documented outcomes that many practices rely on for critical cases.
Rapid energy surge
Complete balanced nutrition
Rapid energy surge
Complete balanced nutrition
Review Summary
"Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care is widely reported as very effective and palatable for sick pets, frequently recommended by veterinarians for urgent recovery. Some owners note a strong odor and premium price."
Appetite-stimulating taste
Veterinarian-prescription urgent care wet food optimized for critical, anorexic patients with high energy and protein.
Appetite-stimulating taste
Veterinarian-prescription urgent care wet food optimized for critical, anorexic patients with high energy and protein.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care is a veterinary-formulated, high-protein/high-fat urgent-care diet widely used for syringe or tube feeding in small carnivores and omnivores. Its prescription-backed formulation and strong clinical support make it a go-to in clinical settings for rapid caloric and protein delivery, offering superior palatability and clinical dosing guidance compared with many over-the-counter herbivore formulas, though it may be inappropriate for strict herbivores. Financially positioned as a premium, clinic-distributed product, it provides documented outcomes that many practices rely on for critical cases.
Rapid energy surge
Complete balanced nutrition
Appetite-stimulating taste
Veterinarian-prescription urgent care wet food optimized for critical, anorexic patients with high energy and protein.
Palatable canned texture that is easy to syringe-feed or offer by dish to encourage intake.
Rapid energy surge
Complete balanced nutrition
Appetite-stimulating taste
Veterinarian-prescription urgent care wet food optimized for critical, anorexic patients with high energy and protein.
Palatable canned texture that is easy to syringe-feed or offer by dish to encourage intake.
$15-50 CAD
Royal Canin Recovery RS
Royal Canin Recovery RS is a ready-to-use recovery paste engineered for syringe or tube feeding with a consistently smooth texture and high palatability for small pets. It stands out for technical convenience — no mixing is required — and very predictable nutrient delivery, making it less labor-intensive than powdered products like Oxbow or Lafeber, though that convenience can translate to a higher price per unit. Clinics often favor it for ease of administration and fast, reliable intake when owner time or mixing accuracy is a concern.
Palatable liquid food
Tube-ready formula
Palatable liquid food
Tube-ready formula
Review Summary
"Royal Canin Recovery RS is commonly used for syringe-feeding sick small animals and is praised for its texture and general acceptability. A minority of users find it too runny or less appealing for very picky patients."
Clinic-approved taste
High-energy, easily digested recovery formula with a smooth texture designed for assisted syringe feeding.
Clinic-approved taste
High-energy, easily digested recovery formula with a smooth texture designed for assisted syringe feeding.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Royal Canin Recovery RS is a ready-to-use recovery paste engineered for syringe or tube feeding with a consistently smooth texture and high palatability for small pets. It stands out for technical convenience — no mixing is required — and very predictable nutrient delivery, making it less labor-intensive than powdered products like Oxbow or Lafeber, though that convenience can translate to a higher price per unit. Clinics often favor it for ease of administration and fast, reliable intake when owner time or mixing accuracy is a concern.
Palatable liquid food
Tube-ready formula
Clinic-approved taste
High-energy, easily digested recovery formula with a smooth texture designed for assisted syringe feeding.
Formulated to deliver concentrated calories, electrolytes and antioxidants for rapid stabilization.
Palatable liquid food
Tube-ready formula
Clinic-approved taste
High-energy, easily digested recovery formula with a smooth texture designed for assisted syringe feeding.
Formulated to deliver concentrated calories, electrolytes and antioxidants for rapid stabilization.
$30-70 CAD
Oxbow Critical Care Carnivore
Oxbow Critical Care Carnivore is a high-protein recovery formula tailored to obligate and facultative carnivores such as ferrets and other small carnivorous mammals. It secures its role by providing species-appropriate macronutrient ratios and palatability aimed at meat-eating small pets, offering a technical advantage over the herbivore-targeted products on this list while remaining an accessible, over-the-counter option for in-home recovery feeding. Veterinarians recommend it when a meat-based recovery diet is needed but owners prefer an easy-to-reconstitute and generally cost-effective solution compared with prescription-only pastes.
Protein-dense rescue
Easy syringe feed
Protein-dense rescue
Easy syringe feed
Review Summary
"Oxbow Critical Care Carnivore is generally considered effective for ferrets and small carnivores, with many owners reporting improved appetite and recovery. Some animals remain picky and a few users report difficulty getting consistent acceptance."
Ferret-friendly flavor
Powdered, high-protein and calorie-dense formula tailored for ferrets and small carnivores.
Ferret-friendly flavor
Powdered, high-protein and calorie-dense formula tailored for ferrets and small carnivores.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Oxbow Critical Care Carnivore is a high-protein recovery formula tailored to obligate and facultative carnivores such as ferrets and other small carnivorous mammals. It secures its role by providing species-appropriate macronutrient ratios and palatability aimed at meat-eating small pets, offering a technical advantage over the herbivore-targeted products on this list while remaining an accessible, over-the-counter option for in-home recovery feeding. Veterinarians recommend it when a meat-based recovery diet is needed but owners prefer an easy-to-reconstitute and generally cost-effective solution compared with prescription-only pastes.
Protein-dense rescue
Easy syringe feed
Ferret-friendly flavor
Powdered, high-protein and calorie-dense formula tailored for ferrets and small carnivores.
Includes taurine and essential amino acids to support lean body mass and organ function during recovery.
Protein-dense rescue
Easy syringe feed
Ferret-friendly flavor
Powdered, high-protein and calorie-dense formula tailored for ferrets and small carnivores.
Includes taurine and essential amino acids to support lean body mass and organ function during recovery.
$20-40 CAD