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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 12:20:28 GMT -5
Does anyone have any suggestions for ferret safe teething chew toys? Everywhere I look people recommend baby ones but theyre rubber! Do completely safe ferret toys exist? That can be left in the cage I mean, unsupervised? Thanks
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Post by raynebc on Aug 29, 2014 12:46:49 GMT -5
I'd be interested in this as well. The safest is probably giblets or bone since they can actually eat it, and there aren't a lot of healthy options for commercial chew treats. Marshall's makes a "super chew" product that is mostly just animal protein, vegetable glycerine and chicken, but my ferrets don't like it. N-bones were kind of mediocre health-wise, but the formula for them had a change for the worse recently. You might see if you can make your own meat jerky with unseasoned meat. There are some threads that talk about it, and even a little discussion about it in the shoutbox if you go back about a week.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 12:54:57 GMT -5
Chicken wings are great. Bone In meats can be left in the cage for up to 24 hours. You can leave a chicken thigh bones, but that's a bit big for a baby. You can also leave Quail wings and duck wings. Gizzards are also great.
If you are feeding kibble, then the kibble needs to be removed from the cage. You don't want to mix raw and kibble. Your baby girl is a breeder kit, she was probably was fed raw, correct?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 13:28:52 GMT -5
No unfortunately they are kibble fed, it seems raw feeding is not as popular here in Belgium (from what I've been reading on forums) however! Raw feeding is something I've already committed to. I'm bringing her home on 19th September at 10 weeks old so as soon as she's here I'll sign up for a mentor! I will have to transition her but hopefully at that age it won't be too difficult! Raynebc I looked up Marshall super chews but some of the reviews say they changed the recipe and now they are softer, take less time to eat and causes runny poops! I'll look into homemade beef jerky though Bone seems to be the best then...once shes on raw of course! So far the only toys ive found have been for supervised play only. Someone needs to invent a new indestructible material that ferrets can chew on till their hearts content (without pieces coming off)! That would be a great day for everyone!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 13:42:15 GMT -5
She should be super easy to feed at that age. Since, you're already committed to raw feeding and you have about three weeks, why don't you bring her home and just skip the kibble.
In the next three weeks, we can help prepare you and then when she comes home, start a journal and we will all pop in and help.
The other option is to remove the kibble a few hours before bed and put the chicken wings or other Bone In meats in with her at night.
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Post by gfountain on Aug 29, 2014 14:02:11 GMT -5
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say don't bother buying any kibble or teething toys. Bring her home and give that baby some meatz! Best teething 'toy' I found for Minnie was a pork neck bone. Too big for her to just scarf down, and I didn't have to worry about her chewing pieces off of it. If she got a piece off, she just chewed and swallowed!
Plan a menu, post it, and let us check it. Then go ahead and stock your freezer before she comes home. Chances are she'll eat everything and empty that freezer really quickly!
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Post by raynebc on Aug 29, 2014 14:17:31 GMT -5
Wouldn't anything harder than their teeth damage the teeth, and anything softer than their teeth will get torn into pieces and potentially eaten?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:31:33 GMT -5
I was actually thinking of doing that as I hate the thought of kibble! (You would never feed a snake kibble so why a ferret)!! The only thing stopping me was potentially stressing her out going to a new home away from mom and sibs and on top of that having brand new food. But there again I can't see a reason why she wouldn't want some tasty meat instead so I think I might just risk it...do you think I should start with softer soupy raw or just go ahead and try with a chicken wing and see how she gets on? One thing I will def need help with, is portion size, how often to feed her (ive heard kits eat like crazy)! and what a healthy weight should be etc. I will make sure I've stocked up on everything so I can follow everyone's advice! Thanks poncesmum I was worrying about the kibble!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:34:33 GMT -5
(I'll work on a menu plan tomorrow and post it before I stock up)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:48:43 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:50:14 GMT -5
I was actually thinking of doing that as I hate the thought of kibble! (You would never feed a snake kibble so why a ferret)!! The only thing stopping me was potentially stressing her out going to a new home away from mom and sibs and on top of that having brand new food. But there again I can't see a reason why she wouldn't want some tasty meat instead so I think I might just risk it...do you think I should start with softer soupy raw or just go ahead and try with a chicken wing and see how she gets on? One thing I will def need help with, is portion size, how often to feed her (ive heard kits eat like crazy)! and what a healthy weight should be etc. I will make sure I've stocked up on everything so I can follow everyone's advice! Thanks poncesmum I was worrying about the kibble! Like gfountain said, we won't let you go wrong. All of the Mentors want the best for you and your new baby. We'll help and keep an eye out. You will be ready, when she comes home. I'll post on the Mentors board and ask for some of the Breeders/Mentors suggestions about soupie vs wings. I put wings in with my baby and she just skipped the soupie stage. Let's see what they suggest to get the best advice from the most experienced.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:57:50 GMT -5
Thank you that would be super helpful.
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Post by Heather on Aug 29, 2014 17:10:02 GMT -5
I know...it's scary. I thought maybe by seeing a couple of these it might put your mind at ease as far as the soupy vs whole meats...now, you may have to put it in his mouth for him to understand or play tug but they're more than capable of nomming on full boned meats These little ones pictured here are about 3 weeks old. In the last pic they're eyes have just opened so about 4 weeks. They're eating steak which isn't a boned meat but it is a whole meat. These are baby ferrets eating naturally. The hook was to prevent momma Lola from stealing and stashing the food so that the babies couldn't have any meats. She was still nursing them ciao
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Post by raynebc on Aug 29, 2014 17:50:42 GMT -5
My understanding is that tooth enamel is harder than bone.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 18:21:32 GMT -5
My understanding is that tooth enamel is harder than bone. I was answering No, to the question about the bone damaging their teeth. I overlooked the second part of your question. Heather is a breeder and has alot of experience with kits. She won't lead Splash89 wrong.
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