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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 19:11:36 GMT -5
Sooo I'm looking into more high quality kibble for mixes and see that Orijen cat and kitten, Orijen red and Go! Fit and Free make the high quality cut. These kibbles, however, all have peas in their ingredients which has been linked to kidney and bladder stones in ferrets. Anyone have any trouble with these kibbles?
Also, I see that Evo ferret took the peas out of their formula... does that put Evo back on the good list?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 19:41:38 GMT -5
Have you tried calling these companies and asking the carb count--- I did this once--forgot what cat food I was looking at---I do not like peas.
Companies can also boast a higher protein count---- and unknown to u, part will be from peas not just the meat content
Any reason why you do not want to do raw?
This is Evo turkey & chicken grain free
Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols a Source of Vitamin E), Herring, Pea Fiber, Salmon Meal, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Apples, Eggs, Carrots, Menhaden Oil, Peas, Cranberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Pumpkin, Tomatoes, Cottage Cheese, Dried Chicory Root Extract, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Vitamins (Betaine Hydrochloride, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Taurine, Ascorbic Acid, VItamin E Supplement, Direct Fed Microbials (Dried Enterococcus faecium, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus, Dried Lactobacilus casei), Rosemary Extract
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 21:48:49 GMT -5
The problem with kibble, aside from all the filler is that there are frequent recalls and formula changes. That leaves you with ferrets who have imprinted on this food and don't want to switch. They have to add filler to make the meat hold it's shape. Unfortunately, ferrets are not designed to process starches, grains, carbs, veggies or fruits. Peas have been linked to stones, so avoid any kibble with peas in it. You might look into FDR (freeze dried raw) if the idea of raw meat is turning you off or you have a busy lifestyle. It's expensive though. Feeding raw is easy enough with some support and mentoring. It's also inexpensive and can be prepped to simply pull out a serving size and placed in a dish. If kibble is your choice, there is a chart to help you learn to read the ingredients and it ranks the better kibbles. The better kibbles are found online or at a Holistic Pet Store. Here is a link to the chart: moredooks.herobo.com/search.php?chart=ferretI'll ask around and see who also feeds kibble and ask them to weigh in. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 21:59:19 GMT -5
Any reason why you do not want to do raw? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get my guy on a full raw diet! I've made an unofficial switch thread (found here holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/18850/yogis-unofficial-switch-thread), I've just been having some issues and want to make sure that if I can't get him to make the switch, I have other viable options. He's a petco ferret that I've had for 3 weeks now (he's about 7 months old). I've had ferrets before but he's the first I've been trying to get to eat raw. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 22:10:29 GMT -5
If he is only seven months, now is the time to switch him. He might have imprinted on his kibble, but my boy came home to us at seven months (from Petco) and switched right away.
Why don't you give the soupie recipe a shot. Here it is:
8oz raw chicken thigh (raw)
1 oz raw chicken liver (or other raw liver)
1-2 raw chicken hearts (approximately 1 oz) or 1 oz other raw heart
½ to ¾ tsp bone meal or crushed egg shell
(air-dry egg shell then crush with mortar and pestle or in a clean coffee grinder)
Weigh out your meat and organs.
Add bone meal or egg shell. If you buy bone meal powder, buy human grade and make sure there are no added sweeteners.
Add water until about the consistency of thick cream (no thinner!!). Blending up in a food processor is the easiest.
You can store the extra soup in ice cube trays and simply pop out the cubes.
After the soup is made, put some on a plate.
Then sit on the floor with your guy and have a spoon and towel ready.
Dab some on his lips and he has to lick it off.
Put him on your lap and place one hand lightly under him.
Offer him some soup from the spoon.
This may take a few tries or he may take right to it.
Once he begins eating the soup, lower the spoon to the plate and continue to sit with him.
Try for just 'one more bite'. If he runs away, gently pick him up and bring him back to the plate.
Soupie can be left overnight in his cage also.
That's the first step and the idea is to get him use to the soupie and then begin adding small slivers. Once he is eating slivers, then it's time to reduce the amount of soup and increase the size and amount of slivers.
That's phase one and pretty easy.
Finding hearts can sometimes be a problem. Look around for a good Asian Supermarket. They carry Hearts/organs/exotic proteins and have very good prices.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 22:15:35 GMT -5
If he is only seven months, now is the time to switch him. He might have imprinted on his kibble, but my boy came home to us at seven months (from Petco) and switched right away. Why don't you give the soupie recipe a shot. Here it is: 8oz raw chicken thigh (raw) 1 oz raw chicken liver (or other raw liver) 1-2 raw chicken hearts (approximately 1 oz) or 1 oz other raw heart ½ to ¾ tsp bone meal or crushed egg shell (air-dry egg shell then crush with mortar and pestle or in a clean coffee grinder) Weigh out your meat and organs. Add bone meal or egg shell. If you buy bone meal powder, buy human grade and make sure there are no added sweeteners. Add water until about the consistency of thick cream (no thinner!!). Blending up in a food processor is the easiest. You can store the extra soup in ice cube trays and simply pop out the cubes. After the soup is made, put some on a plate. Then sit on the floor with your guy and have a spoon and towel ready. Dab some on his lips and he has to lick it off. Put him on your lap and place one hand lightly under him. Offer him some soup from the spoon. This may take a few tries or he may take right to it. Once he begins eating the soup, lower the spoon to the plate and continue to sit with him. Try for just 'one more bite'. If he runs away, gently pick him up and bring him back to the plate. Soupie can be left overnight in his cage also. That's the first step and the idea is to get him use to the soupie and then begin adding small slivers. Once he is eating slivers, then it's time to reduce the amount of soup and increase the size and amount of slivers. That's phase one and pretty easy. Finding hearts can sometimes be a problem. Look around for a good Asian Supermarket. They carry Hearts/organs/exotic proteins and have very good prices. Thanks for all the info! I have started the soup but am having a hard time getting him to go for it. Check out my thread if you can, I would love to have your input :-) |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2015 22:38:14 GMT -5
I will do that.
I have just come home from vacation so I haven't had a chance to check out everyone yet. I'm still playing catch up.
I'm heading off to bed but will check out your thread in the morning.
A big part of this is finding out how he likes his food.
Some like the soupie warmer, some like it colder. Some like privacy when they eat and some want to be coddled. Some like a drop of oil to get them started and some like their old food mixed in or sprinkled on top.
Also knowing when he is hungriest works well. Just like us, they have times when they don't feel like eating.
You'll do great and so will Yogi. Now he needs a Boo Boo, lol. I'm a terrible enabler.
:banana:
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 11:34:40 GMT -5
Now he needs a Boo Boo, lol. I'm a terrible enabler. :banana: You are! In due time... I'm sure the boyfriend will be thrilled (although I think he knows it is inevitable lol)  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 11:41:58 GMT -5
This is what my craigslist girl did at first with mice. she would eat the top .  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2015 11:51:59 GMT -5
This is what my craigslist girl did at first with mice. she would eat the top .  Someone has a warped sense of humor. I love it. |
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