Post by Heather on Jun 16, 2013 1:02:38 GMT -5
AudreySwierczynski
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Online of course, and I just had started re-evalutating my own diet. And we had fed our dogs a raw diet when I was a small child.... No idea why we switched back to kibble!
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I am very interested in switching to a FULLY raw diet. I am also very much interested in whole prey as well; not so keen on the LIVE whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I just want them to be the happiest and healthiest little girls on the planet. I want them to be as healthy as possible and raw is the way to go. They are carnivores! If that is how they were meant to eat then they should be doing it.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes, I do. and Yes, I am. These girls are my life and should have been eating raw long ago!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I currently have four! Ziva (3 y/o female), Jane (3 y/o female), Lucy (4 y/o female), and Izzy (2 y/o female). They have no current health problems, and all are in the healthy range for weight according to our vet. I have had Jane and Ziva since they were able to be sold from a private breeder here. (I cannot remember how old in all honesty, but they were wee little kits! I've owned them since June 2010 and I believe they were born in May?) and Lucy I have had sine June of 2012, and Izzy since May of 2012. Both were rescues.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I give raw, and raw treats (hearts, liver, meat, and bone/meat/organ pet mince)to Ziva and Jane because they are the only two who will eat them. The kibble is totally ferret for all four. (disappointed) They get no treats if they don't eat raw. and at the moment, if they are getting their nails clipped...they get ferretone. I heard olive oil works well in place...suggestions? That sums up EVERYTHING they eat as of now.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Jane and Ziva LOVE raw, and would like it all the time but I was always nervous about leaving it over night/during the day if it would spoil and such. Lucy and Izzy have REFUSED to switch.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I am just an avid ferret lover! Just some random information on the girls that I may or may not have shared on the forum already: Ziva and Jane came from private breeders and Lucy and Izzy look like Marshall's ferrets and are far more picky about their diet. All of my girls are also desexed. Ziva and Jane are a play group and Lucy and Izzy are a play group. Ziva, our alpha has not taken kindly to our newbies. Eventually that hopefully will change, we have started to transition Jane into Izzy and Lucy's playgroup as well as being in Ziva's Playgroup. And all of our ferrets get free roam of the apartment (1 floor, 1BDRM, 1BTH), all closest are off limits and it is FULLY ferret proofed everyday.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday! And I am very likely going to download the proboards app on my phone to allow access at all time to the forum.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
These are not great photos, I am just using my phone. Def need a new camera!
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbiter), will introduce himself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance). Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Online of course, and I just had started re-evalutating my own diet. And we had fed our dogs a raw diet when I was a small child.... No idea why we switched back to kibble!
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I am very interested in switching to a FULLY raw diet. I am also very much interested in whole prey as well; not so keen on the LIVE whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I just want them to be the happiest and healthiest little girls on the planet. I want them to be as healthy as possible and raw is the way to go. They are carnivores! If that is how they were meant to eat then they should be doing it.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes, I do. and Yes, I am. These girls are my life and should have been eating raw long ago!
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I currently have four! Ziva (3 y/o female), Jane (3 y/o female), Lucy (4 y/o female), and Izzy (2 y/o female). They have no current health problems, and all are in the healthy range for weight according to our vet. I have had Jane and Ziva since they were able to be sold from a private breeder here. (I cannot remember how old in all honesty, but they were wee little kits! I've owned them since June 2010 and I believe they were born in May?) and Lucy I have had sine June of 2012, and Izzy since May of 2012. Both were rescues.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I give raw, and raw treats (hearts, liver, meat, and bone/meat/organ pet mince)to Ziva and Jane because they are the only two who will eat them. The kibble is totally ferret for all four. (disappointed) They get no treats if they don't eat raw. and at the moment, if they are getting their nails clipped...they get ferretone. I heard olive oil works well in place...suggestions? That sums up EVERYTHING they eat as of now.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Jane and Ziva LOVE raw, and would like it all the time but I was always nervous about leaving it over night/during the day if it would spoil and such. Lucy and Izzy have REFUSED to switch.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I am just an avid ferret lover! Just some random information on the girls that I may or may not have shared on the forum already: Ziva and Jane came from private breeders and Lucy and Izzy look like Marshall's ferrets and are far more picky about their diet. All of my girls are also desexed. Ziva and Jane are a play group and Lucy and Izzy are a play group. Ziva, our alpha has not taken kindly to our newbies. Eventually that hopefully will change, we have started to transition Jane into Izzy and Lucy's playgroup as well as being in Ziva's Playgroup. And all of our ferrets get free roam of the apartment (1 floor, 1BDRM, 1BTH), all closest are off limits and it is FULLY ferret proofed everyday.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday! And I am very likely going to download the proboards app on my phone to allow access at all time to the forum.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
These are not great photos, I am just using my phone. Def need a new camera!
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbiter), will introduce himself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance). Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao