Post by Sherry on Jan 29, 2011 21:32:28 GMT -5
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
The ferret.com forums
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 truly love animals, I don’t think I could feed them anything alive or whole right away; it’ll take me some time to get use to! I do however want to feed them as much raw as they will eat, some are more stubborn than others so I may have a hard time getting them to give up the kibble. If I could go kibble free that would be great, if not I can deal with it.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want them to be healthy, happy and live as long as they can! I worry that by feeding them kibble I’m cutting their lives short, and they are entirely too short as it is. I’d like to see cleaner teeth on my older group, and if there is less poops I won’t complain!
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?
I do realize this, and I am completely dedicated to doing what it takes. I am in nursing school right now, but I’m about to have winter break for a month and after that I’ll still be available almost every night and my boyfriend is more than willing to help in any way he can.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have 14 wonderful furkids.
Anks/female – born January 2010, she’s a skinny tiny little girl 1.2lbs, very picky about her food. No known health problems
Vaeda/female – born January 2010, she’s almost at a perfect weight 1.8lbs, she’s my soupie queen. I’ll bet anything that she’ll be the easiest to convert
Hannable/male- Born February 2010 – He’s 3lbs of ferret jelly, he’ll eat certain cooked meats so far.
Sasha/female – Born March 2010 – she’s a porker, 2.2lbs.
Gizmo/male Born March 2010 – He’s 2.5lbs, a little underweight for his frame.
Auggie/male – Birthday unknown, was dropped off at my house. Vet estimates he’s two years old. He has adrenal disease and as soon as the implant arrives he’s getting Deslorelin. He’s 2.6lbs and is a little underweight but he has been gaining, and started to regrow fur on his own.
Dozer/male – Born july 2010 – He’s 2.9lbs and still gaining.
For the next 7 I do not know their birthdays. They were recently adopted from a humane society and they said that 6 were 3 years old, and the last one is 6 months old. Other than all being underweight, they have no known health issues.
Tasha/female – Underweight 1.1lbs
Kodiak/male – Underweight 1.9lbs
Sam/male – Underweight but gaining monthly, 2.6lbs
Dean/male – VERY underweight, I can feel every bone.. 1.8lbs he’s gained a couple of ounces this past month
Leiloo/female – underweight 1.2lbs
Naobi/female – underweight 1.7lbs
Church/female (the 6month old) she’s gaining weight pretty well. I’d say she’s at a good weight for her size, 1.9lbs
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They get ferretone in their soupies which consists of 1cup kibble 1 jar gerbers stage 2 chicken (or turkey) with gravy, 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream.
N-bones for treats, cooked unseasoned meats (only Kodiak and sometimes Hannable will eat these) Beef/chicken jerky (Kodiak LOVES jerky)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I had started to try and switch myself, one of my babies died and I ended up stopping, then we got the new crew of 7 and they were on a kibble only diet so I couldn’t just pick it back up. They had their food switched several times in a row so they had some pretty upset bellies. I was having some success mixing in ground raw turkey and a little bit of liver/heart if I minced it up REALLY small with their soupies.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I’m 26/f and I live in southern Indiana, I work in a hospital and I’m going to nursing school for my RN. I’ve also got 3 dogs and 4 cats.
My little girl church may also be Deaf, not quite sure.. but she’s a terrible biter. Just random bites, nothing out of fear, she just walks up, takes a sniff and chomps down, draws blood most of the time from these bites, or at least leaves huge bruises.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily, I have a Droid X phone and have access to my emails almost as soon as they come so that is another way to get a hold of me quick.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (sherrylynne) 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 . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
The ferret.com forums
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 truly love animals, I don’t think I could feed them anything alive or whole right away; it’ll take me some time to get use to! I do however want to feed them as much raw as they will eat, some are more stubborn than others so I may have a hard time getting them to give up the kibble. If I could go kibble free that would be great, if not I can deal with it.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want them to be healthy, happy and live as long as they can! I worry that by feeding them kibble I’m cutting their lives short, and they are entirely too short as it is. I’d like to see cleaner teeth on my older group, and if there is less poops I won’t complain!
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?
I do realize this, and I am completely dedicated to doing what it takes. I am in nursing school right now, but I’m about to have winter break for a month and after that I’ll still be available almost every night and my boyfriend is more than willing to help in any way he can.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have 14 wonderful furkids.
Anks/female – born January 2010, she’s a skinny tiny little girl 1.2lbs, very picky about her food. No known health problems
Vaeda/female – born January 2010, she’s almost at a perfect weight 1.8lbs, she’s my soupie queen. I’ll bet anything that she’ll be the easiest to convert
Hannable/male- Born February 2010 – He’s 3lbs of ferret jelly, he’ll eat certain cooked meats so far.
Sasha/female – Born March 2010 – she’s a porker, 2.2lbs.
Gizmo/male Born March 2010 – He’s 2.5lbs, a little underweight for his frame.
Auggie/male – Birthday unknown, was dropped off at my house. Vet estimates he’s two years old. He has adrenal disease and as soon as the implant arrives he’s getting Deslorelin. He’s 2.6lbs and is a little underweight but he has been gaining, and started to regrow fur on his own.
Dozer/male – Born july 2010 – He’s 2.9lbs and still gaining.
For the next 7 I do not know their birthdays. They were recently adopted from a humane society and they said that 6 were 3 years old, and the last one is 6 months old. Other than all being underweight, they have no known health issues.
Tasha/female – Underweight 1.1lbs
Kodiak/male – Underweight 1.9lbs
Sam/male – Underweight but gaining monthly, 2.6lbs
Dean/male – VERY underweight, I can feel every bone.. 1.8lbs he’s gained a couple of ounces this past month
Leiloo/female – underweight 1.2lbs
Naobi/female – underweight 1.7lbs
Church/female (the 6month old) she’s gaining weight pretty well. I’d say she’s at a good weight for her size, 1.9lbs
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They get ferretone in their soupies which consists of 1cup kibble 1 jar gerbers stage 2 chicken (or turkey) with gravy, 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream.
N-bones for treats, cooked unseasoned meats (only Kodiak and sometimes Hannable will eat these) Beef/chicken jerky (Kodiak LOVES jerky)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I had started to try and switch myself, one of my babies died and I ended up stopping, then we got the new crew of 7 and they were on a kibble only diet so I couldn’t just pick it back up. They had their food switched several times in a row so they had some pretty upset bellies. I was having some success mixing in ground raw turkey and a little bit of liver/heart if I minced it up REALLY small with their soupies.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I’m 26/f and I live in southern Indiana, I work in a hospital and I’m going to nursing school for my RN. I’ve also got 3 dogs and 4 cats.
My little girl church may also be Deaf, not quite sure.. but she’s a terrible biter. Just random bites, nothing out of fear, she just walks up, takes a sniff and chomps down, draws blood most of the time from these bites, or at least leaves huge bruises.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily, I have a Droid X phone and have access to my emails almost as soon as they come so that is another way to get a hold of me quick.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (sherrylynne) 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 . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao