Kalamae0's Switching Thread / Klarissa & Hurricanekatt

[Heather]

(I hope I did this right!!)
Name: Kala
HF Forum Username: kalamae0
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: yes!

1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? A group I joined on Facebook after getting my girls

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 do not want to feed live or whole prey but will switch to 100% raw

3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?

I've recently made the switch to a raw diet for my dogs and it has done wonders for them!

4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more than happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the neccessary time commitment?

I am!

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 have 3 female Marshalls ferrets I got on 4-2-16.

Meeka is just over a year old, her previous owner told me she has eaten raw previously but was switched back to kibble. Healthy weight.
Marlowe I got from someone of Facebook who hasn't told me her precious diet. She's about 2 years old. Healthy weight. Took to the chicken heart as egg I offered the best out of the three.
Salem I got from the same girl as Marlowe. She sleeps a lot. Could be slightly underweight? She's a small girl though so I could be wrong and she could be a healthy weight. 2-3 years old.

6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of

Totally ferret. I want to feed go! Fit + free if not raw. They have had ferretone and ferretvite

7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?

I offered them each a chicken heart, Salem wouldn't touch it, Marlowe and Meeka ate them. I got them all to try a little egg (Salem didn't want it though) that I offered by no chicken gizzard.

8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?

These are my first ferrets and I am trying my best to be the best ferret mommy I can!

9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?

Fulltime

10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).

Salem (left) Marlowe (right) Meeka is not in this photo. Sorry I couldn't get a Bette done of them all!

Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentors ( Klarissa & Hurricanekatt), will introduce themselves 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 mentors) so that your mentors can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentors and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentors are here to help you on this journey.
ciao

[katt]

Hi @kalamae0 ! Nice to meet you and excited to work with you and Klarissa! Rather than copy the whole Meet your Mentor spiel...a little about me - I'm a medical student just finishing up my 3rd year with one more year to go (woot). I'm from Alaska but in Washington right now for school. I have 2 adorable boys named Koda and Kenai who have been raw fed since I got them as kits. I've been mentoring now for about 6 years! (yeesh, time flies!) haha And I love it! I will mostly be taking a back seat on the switch; Klarissa will be running the show (she's fantastic!!) but I will be checking in frequently.

Excited to work with you and your crew.

[Klarissa]

Name: Klarissa Simpson
Age: 23 years old
Home: Ontario, Canada
HF Screename: Klarissa
Facebook Name: Klarissa Simpson
Instagram: rawfedfurryfiends

Hi! I'm a university student from Ontario. I'm currently wrapping up my BSc, and will be off to Veterinary school in a year or so. I'm a mentor in training & this is my first switch I'm excited to work with you.


About Me: 

Favorite color: lime green and/or dark purple

Favorite food: Just one? I love all food, but forced to pick it'd be between Sushi or a really good veggie burger with bacon & cheese. 

Favorite holiday: My husband's birthday - not technically a holiday, but every year we go camping for a week. 

Favorite Hobby: Again, just one? Another two way tie. 1) Spending time with my family - I visit my parents every weekend & it is always the highlight of my week.  2) Training dogs - I love dogs, but I really love the way they communicate & I've naturally always been good with dogs. Training dogs is like my meditation

Something you might be surprised to know about me: I am a tree hugging, Prius driving, earth lovin’ nut  I work extremely hard to reduce the carbon footprint of my family, including my furry, four legged children.

I became a mentor because: Feeding raw is something I feel very strongly about - I take my role as pet parent very seriously & part of that is an appropriate diet. I want to help others do the best for their ferrets too

I'm going to school for veterinary medicine, and I want to challenge the status quo of feeding kibble. Raw feeding also has other benefits: it has a smaller environmental footprint than kibble and it can help the local economy. 


My Fuzzbutts! 


Bear (f), 5 y/o, Albino

Bear is my oldest & alpha ferret. She maybe be small, but even my biggest furboy won't cross her. However, she is a benevolent leader & an absolute sweetheart with people. She was a picky switch - set in her ways, and got even pickier when I got other ferrets. She just wanted to be held & hand fed. 


Willy (m), 3 y/o, marked white; Waardie & Deaf

Willy’s previous owners rehomed him the day after his bonded brother died. When we got him home he went off food altogether, and we spent a week tricking him to eat his kibble before starting his switch since he was very depressed. But once he started raw, he never looked back. He is a lazy & loving chunky monkey


Fredzia (f), 2 y/o, marked white

I have been fortunate to have a long line of easy switches, Fredzia was the first in this trend. She never ate kibble, once she stepped foot in my home. Went right to chunks & whole prey her first week with me. She is an evil super genius, and likes to lay claim to the ball pit & keep other ferrets from entering. She is a little sass master - a ferret after my own heart. She is a perfect match for me. 


Riker (m), 6 mos, Sable Mutt

There was no switch with Riker. He is the only ferret that I've had since kithood, and naturally took to raw. Riker is a jerk. I mean that affectionately, but it's true. He is going to do what he wants, when he wants. He isn't trying to be bad, but he isn't going to let rules get in his way of enjoying life either. But, he is always the life of the party. 


Harley (f), 1 y/o, marked white; Waardie & Deaf

Harley was a fluke, she switched like a kit. I suspect her previous owner, a lizard & snake enthusiast fed her the odd insect or whole prey treat. Harley is Riker’s “girlfriend” & partner in crime. From the second he laid eyes on her, he has been in love. It is the cutest thing I've ever seen. She is incredibly, smart & determined wee thing. 

Felix (m), 2.5 y/o, Silver; Deaf
Felix is a rescue. He was hit, an left in a dog crate with nothing but kitty litter & fed cheap food. As a result of being malnourished he took to raw like a champ! He is a very sweet, cuddly little boy.


Types of Switches: 

I feed frankenprey prey, local raw grinds, and whole prey. I am familiar with freeze dried raw. I am familiar with kibble, that said there is only one kibble I will support (Orijen) if one must absolutely feed kibble. I cannot help with other kibbles.