I asked because those are some of the common symptoms of IBD/food intolerances. Lip smacking is a sign of nausea and something my little one does often. She also refuses to eat quite a bit as do most IBD kitties I know. Of course there are many symptoms of IBD and it could be yours is just in the early stages of it.Originally Posted by kady05
His breeder also asked if I had done a course of Clavamox & Albon. I know Clavamox is an antibiodic, but not sure what Albon is, and how those two things could help?
Both of them are on the Royal Canin Limted Ingredient Rabbit & Green Pea. Here are the ingredients:
Ground peas, rabbit meal, rabbit, pea protein, canola oil, rabbit digest, calcium sulfate, dicalcium phosphate, salmon oil, DL-methionine, choline chloride, sodium chloride, L-lysine, potassium citrate, phosphoric acid, vitamins [DL-alpha-tocopherol (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin, inositol, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin (vitamin B2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), beta-carotene, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement], minerals [zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], taurine, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and citric acid.
No, I've never noticed him doing either of those things. He's a great eater, and loves food.
The food you're using looks pretty good with the possible exception of peas and maybe the canola oil. I know many are allergic/intolerant to peas as is my cat. Others have no problems though so at this point I wouldn't worry too much about it.
You could try a few things to help him while he's also on the pred:
1. Added dietary fiber (pumpkin or psyllium husk). Start with very small doses and adjust from there.
2. Digestive enzymes to help process the food. I use Dr. Goodpet since it's tasteless/odorless and has nothing but beneficial ingredients in it. Plus it also has acidophilus.
3. Probiotics - again start small and adjust from there. I just get mine from a health shop (milk-free versions for my kitty).
If you try any of these, just add one at a time and give it a few days to see if it helps. If you add them all at once it would likely be overwhelming and make things worse. You also wouldn't know what's truly helping.