Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 21:24:19 GMT -5
Application:
Name:
Alina
HF Forum Username:
elanddaggetsmom
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
I am 20
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
The side bar of r/ferrets on Reddit linked to this forum, which I read a lot of before diving in and getting my first two fuzzbutts. I also had done a small amount of research on raw diets for dogs in the past, but never put it to use.
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'd like to get my new ferret Yoshi (about a year and a half old) on to full frankenprey. This is the type of diet my girl Eleven is already on, but her switch was much easier as she was only about 4 months old when I switched her.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I truly think a raw and natural diet is the best kind for ferrets. I can tell a big difference in the energy level of Yoshi and Eleven. Also they're both Marshall ferrets and so they already have a disposition towards health issues, I'd like to keep as many of them at bay as possible.
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 then 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 necessary time commitment?
Yes, very willing.
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 two right now. An altered girl named Eleven, who is 9 months old. She has no health problems, normal weight and I've had her for 6 months. She's been raw for 5 months.
Yoshi is an altered boy, his age is about a year and half, he has no known health problems and is a healthy weight. I've had him for 3 weeks.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Eleven is fully raw, frankenprey. I feed her bone in chicken thighs and drums, with the bone smashed, liver, kidney and heart from chicken, cow and pig. I give her a very small amount of coconut oil dabbed on her stomach, so she'll sit still and lick at it while I clip her nails, every week or two.
Yoshi is currently on Forti-diet which is a really crappy cheap pellet brand, it's what his previous owners had him on. I've tried to give him soup a couple of times. He won't go near it on his own, I've tried scruffing and stuffing a few times, he'll eat what's in his mouth, lick what's on my finger afterward and then won't take any more what so ever. I've also tried giving him a sliver of chicken leg meat which he bit into then spit out and ran away. The soup I had in my fridge has been there a few days now, I believe it's rancid so I'm throwing it out. I'm going to wait to make more until I have a mentor to help. I never had to deal with my babies being stubborn about their food because I started them so young, I'm feeling very overwhelmed trying to switch an older ferret on my own.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I believe my answer to the above question answers this one as well. Please message me if I need to clarify anything.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
None that I can think of.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
imgur.com/iYUghEC
That is eleven
imgur.com/9AlZ5P4
This is yoshi
These are just silly photos I have of them, let me know if I need more detailed/specific ones and I will update.
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes.
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes.