Post by Heather on Apr 4, 2015 21:32:56 GMT -5
Name: Jen Nicholson
HF Forum Username:jennicholson
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: I am over 18 years of age
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? I learned about natural diets for ferrets in googling what was the best option for them.
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.
For now I am interested in either a commercially prepared diet or a freeze dried food. I am not sure if I am phrasing that right, as I thought they were the same thing..but if I understand correctly commercially prepared is more like chop meat substance and that is what I would be most interested in.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I recognize that there is nothing normal about kibble/wet food from a can that was formulated for them to eat. I always had that knowledge in the back of my head...just like I know if I put certain things in my body it isn't exactly "good" for me..but I didn't realize how harmful it was for ferrets. I recently had an issue with my male ferret (Eugene) having bladder and kidney stones..and his Zupreem was the cause. I thought I was doing good and realize I wasn't. I love my animals more than most people in my life..which although not common is true. I have their best interests at heart and I keep coming back to this diet as a gut feeling so I sincerely feel I need to do it. I have immense guilt that my lack of education caused his issues..and I feel like it is my obligation to make choices from here on out that are in his best interest.
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 love projects and learning and honestly that is how I am looking at this. I am excited to do it.
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?
2 ferrets! Eugene (boy) and Weasel (girl). Both are around 2 years old based on paper work when we got them and we have had them between 1.5 and 2 years. Weasel is in perfect health. She is super skinny but nothing the vet has ever mentioned concern about. Eugene is small for a male when I compare him to other ferrets..and I don't know if thats normal or not! But weight wise he seems to be okay as far as the vet is concerned also. As far as health issues, he just dealt with a bout of bladder stones as I previously mentioned. The surgery was on 1/13/15 so as far as healing goes I believe he's still working on it. He has two stones left on his kidney that we need to monitor every few months via X-rays.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
They got off of Zupreem Grain Free Ferret Diet completely about one week ago. We transitioned onto Evo over a period of a week.
We just tried to start giving them a freeze dried beef liver dog treat found at the pet store..but they have zero interest in it so I can't say were technically feeding it as treats currently.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I notice that Eugene doesn't act very ferrety if that makes sense. He gets all riled up sometimes if you initiate it or if Weasel starts to play with him. But other than stashing one toy he really doesn't play much. He used to be really into this tube we have for them..but ever since the surgery he's not been paying much mind to it. He's always been a very laid back ferret so I usually don't worry much about it. But he does this thing where he kind just speed bumps onto the ground way a lot more than usual. Im concerned if it could be diet related..but also considering he may just be out of it because we recently moved out to a new place and he had a huge surgery/vet experience. I am hoping to see that maybe a diet switch could do something?
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day as well as my phones browser
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I am having issues figuring out how to add photos,but I will do it as soon as I figure it out
11. Have you met the requirements for this program?
Are you at least 18 years of age? Yes
Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc? I have places to get all of these things, but I have not as I am hoping to do packaged diets as mentioned earlier.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Fretki ), will introduce herself 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
HF Forum Username:jennicholson
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: I am over 18 years of age
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? I learned about natural diets for ferrets in googling what was the best option for them.
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.
For now I am interested in either a commercially prepared diet or a freeze dried food. I am not sure if I am phrasing that right, as I thought they were the same thing..but if I understand correctly commercially prepared is more like chop meat substance and that is what I would be most interested in.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I recognize that there is nothing normal about kibble/wet food from a can that was formulated for them to eat. I always had that knowledge in the back of my head...just like I know if I put certain things in my body it isn't exactly "good" for me..but I didn't realize how harmful it was for ferrets. I recently had an issue with my male ferret (Eugene) having bladder and kidney stones..and his Zupreem was the cause. I thought I was doing good and realize I wasn't. I love my animals more than most people in my life..which although not common is true. I have their best interests at heart and I keep coming back to this diet as a gut feeling so I sincerely feel I need to do it. I have immense guilt that my lack of education caused his issues..and I feel like it is my obligation to make choices from here on out that are in his best interest.
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 love projects and learning and honestly that is how I am looking at this. I am excited to do it.
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?
2 ferrets! Eugene (boy) and Weasel (girl). Both are around 2 years old based on paper work when we got them and we have had them between 1.5 and 2 years. Weasel is in perfect health. She is super skinny but nothing the vet has ever mentioned concern about. Eugene is small for a male when I compare him to other ferrets..and I don't know if thats normal or not! But weight wise he seems to be okay as far as the vet is concerned also. As far as health issues, he just dealt with a bout of bladder stones as I previously mentioned. The surgery was on 1/13/15 so as far as healing goes I believe he's still working on it. He has two stones left on his kidney that we need to monitor every few months via X-rays.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
They got off of Zupreem Grain Free Ferret Diet completely about one week ago. We transitioned onto Evo over a period of a week.
We just tried to start giving them a freeze dried beef liver dog treat found at the pet store..but they have zero interest in it so I can't say were technically feeding it as treats currently.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I notice that Eugene doesn't act very ferrety if that makes sense. He gets all riled up sometimes if you initiate it or if Weasel starts to play with him. But other than stashing one toy he really doesn't play much. He used to be really into this tube we have for them..but ever since the surgery he's not been paying much mind to it. He's always been a very laid back ferret so I usually don't worry much about it. But he does this thing where he kind just speed bumps onto the ground way a lot more than usual. Im concerned if it could be diet related..but also considering he may just be out of it because we recently moved out to a new place and he had a huge surgery/vet experience. I am hoping to see that maybe a diet switch could do something?
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day as well as my phones browser
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I am having issues figuring out how to add photos,but I will do it as soon as I figure it out
11. Have you met the requirements for this program?
Are you at least 18 years of age? Yes
Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc? I have places to get all of these things, but I have not as I am hoping to do packaged diets as mentioned earlier.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Fretki ), will introduce herself 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