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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 15:11:26 GMT -5
So I started giving my two ferrets (both 4-5 years old) raw soupie that has Chicken breast, chicken hearts & gizzards, and beef liver or chicken liver (I made different batches some had different stuff) and my boy, Caillou, has been eating 2-4 oz a day since I started on Thursday, and my Juliet has been eating 1-2 oz a day. I have to mix ferretone in with it or else they won't touch it. They've still had their kibble (wellness core cat food) available, I am planning on taking it out tomorrow though because they're eating enough soup. Anyways, Caillou is usually really really crazy and energetic, playing for several hours a day and always on the go. But since yesterday he's been a lot more laid back, sleeping more and not playing as hard. He hasn't played today, just kind of walked around my room. It's not like he's laying in the floor dying, he's just not himself. He's completely healthy according to my Vet, he had a checkup last month.
Could the raw being doing this? I can't help but be worried for him. He's still kind of active just not very playful or anything. I see no difference in my Juliet, though she's always laid back and she has Adrenal so she sleeps A LOT anyways. Their poops are different, runny and different colors but I know that's normal. Just looking for some assurance that he's not dying or something.
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Post by racheld on Aug 30, 2014 15:17:55 GMT -5
It could be he has an intolerance to one of the types of meat or an additive to the meat. Are the meats natural chemical free? Try doing just chicken for a while or just beef for a while and see if you notice a difference.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 15:35:41 GMT -5
Okay well the only organ I can get at the moment is chicken liver and beef liver and he had beef liver Friday and chicken liver today. He's had heart and gizzard and chicken breast since Thursday..
What other stuff can I buy to make a balanced soup? Sorry I need a recipe because I don't understand percents and stuff.
Oh and yeah its all natural with no fillers or additives or seasoning. Up until today he was getting meat that had been in the freezer for several months but it smelt fine to me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 16:19:55 GMT -5
Are you removing the kibble for a few hours before you give them any soup? I know this is new for you, but he could just be having an off day. You already know their poops will be runny from the organs. One reason for sticking with one protein at a time, is to help determine if there is an intolerance to a protein. I'm going to tag our Senior Mentors for some reassurance for you. Sherry bitbyter Heather katt should see this and respond. The basic soupie recipe is 8oz of raw chicken (thigh is preferred) 1 or 2 chicken hearts a Half chicken Liver 1/2 tsp dried eggshell powder Add some warm water to thin it. As they get use to it, then you can add less water and make it thicker. So, let's wait and see what the Senior Mentors say. One thing that might help is to start your switching journal and keep all the raw feeding info under that one thread.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 17:56:23 GMT -5
Yes I usually would take their kibble out for a few hours (1-2) before I gave them the soup. They said since they're eating at least 2 oz a day I could remove the kibble all together, so I was going to do that starting tomorrow in the morning.
I'm going to make a correct batch of the soup once I get home, I was still going to take the kibble out, is that a good idea since he's acting like that? Or do you think it can be a normal thing for him to be a little lazy, it's just today and last night he's acting like this.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 18:01:56 GMT -5
I would really like to see what our Senior Mentors say. Let's give them a little more time to respond. It's a Saturday and still early. I'll keep my eye out for someone to come online.
I don't know about your side of Tennessee, but over here, it's a rainy lazy day. All of mine are sleeping.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 18:05:44 GMT -5
Okay we'll wait for them. Today it was like 95 degrees, super hot, really pretty. I'll see how he is when I get home, I did take him out today for about 2 hours to see how he did in my new carrier, but he was acting lazy before that. It's not that he won't do anything, he's just not being playful like he always is.
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Post by Heather on Aug 30, 2014 19:42:37 GMT -5
That's really hot for a ferret to tolerate. They don't do well at much around 80, so 90 is going to result in serious lethargy and overheating. This might be part of the issue with your boy. I'm also concerned with the amount of liver you're feeding. It may be just how you worded it in your message but how much are you feeding and are you feeding any bone, powdered egg shell or bonemeal? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 19:57:54 GMT -5
Yeah we left before it got hot, then when it started heating up after about 10 minutes of walking in and out of stores he started drooling so I quickly ran to the car and I sat in the car with him and had the air full blast while giving him water every 2 minutes. Definitely checking the weather next time, if there is a next time.
I had been giving too much liver for sure (on accident), not sure how much but more than I was supposed to. I didn't have any powdered egg either. So I just now made a batch with 8 oz of chicken meat, 2 chicken hearts, and half of a chicken liver with 1/2 teaspoon of powdered egg and I'm feeding the correct batch now. Caillou is feeling better now it seems. He just ate 3 ounces of soup and he's sniffing around my room.
I think maybe he got too hot today, which makes me feel terrible, I let my poor baby over heat... but he's acting normal now, like he usually does. I was getting worried but I think he's fine, I'll watch him really closely to make sure.
Oh and how do I make a switching journal exactly? (I can feel this is a stupid question lol)
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Post by Heather on Aug 30, 2014 20:11:23 GMT -5
It's not a stupid question. Different people use different methods. All you need to do is record what you feed, amounts fed, how much they actually eat, possibly their reaction to the food, stools. So in the beginning when feeding soupy, you'd write out your recipe at the beginning filling in the various proteins used. You'd then date, record the amount given, the amount eaten, how well it was received (spoon fed, finger fed, ate on their own etc) and the end result...the litter box check. I don't think I've left anything out. By doing this you won't be having any surprises and mistakes are picked up immediately. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 20:33:43 GMT -5
Okay thank you. And do I do what the others do, the title as "_______'s switching thread" ? And what section do I post it in?
Also, today Caillou has eaten 6.5 ounces of soup, and Juliet has eaten 2.8.. I know Juliet is eating enough, but is Caillou eating too much? Last question for the night, I promise haha
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Post by Heather on Aug 30, 2014 20:38:13 GMT -5
LOL....not to worry. When ferrets first start their switch to real food, they eat like kits. They're bottomless. It's like they're making up for all the absent nutrients that is kibbles. He will slow down in 6 to 10 weeks and eat a more reasonable diet. Once they get on solid foods they will slow down too. Soupies is really easy to eat, they inhale it. Whole foods and real meats require more effort. Just let him eat, he will slow down when he realizes this good stuff will always be there for him. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 20:41:17 GMT -5
Haha okay good, because he definitely hogs it And what section do I post my switching thread in? Don't want to mix everything up lol
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Post by Heather on Aug 30, 2014 20:47:26 GMT -5
Start your thread in the general feeding section...I think that's what it's called ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 20:53:26 GMT -5
Okay thank you so much for all the help, I really appreciate everyone on here
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