Post by Heather on Oct 12, 2012 22:18:30 GMT -5
Name: Andrea Whenham
HF Forum Username: FamilyOfExotics
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I had heard some friends of mine talking about switching their cats over to a natural diet, and wondered if I could do this with my fuzzies. I did some looking around online and found this forum! HFF has been my main source of information regarding a natural diet!
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.
At this point in time, I am not 100% sure what I would like to switch them too. I am a college student and work part-time, so I can sometimes be quite busy. I would LOVE to switch them over to a full natural diet, but am not sure if it would be possible with my schedule. If not, then I want to at least be close to 90% natural diet! I might be interested in feeding whole prey a little bit later, although I am not sure where I could get the whole prey from! I don't believe I could ever feed live prey though.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I really love all my animals and want the absolute best for them! I think that a natural diet is the healthiest option for them, and I want my furbabies to live a very long and healthy life. I am willing to do anything I can to give them the best life 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 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 realize that my life can sometimes be hectic, but I refuse to let that affect my pets. My pets come first in my life, and they always will. I am completely determined to make the switch, and will rearrange my schedule so that I can do so!
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 currently have 5 ferrets.
Aspen: ~1yr 6mo, female, she has intermittent periods of diarrhea but we haven't been able to find out the cause.. She is kind of small so I would like to see her put on some weight! I have had her for over a year.
Baine: ~1yr 4mo, male, he is really healthy and active He seems to be a good size! I have had him for about 1 year now.
*Snickers: ~11mo, female, she is very healthy and playful! She seems a little small as well. I have only had her for about 1 month.
*Ba-nom-a-nom: ~1yr, male, he is pretty healthy but is actually rather lazy.. He will get up and play for a bit but not as actively as the others! He is my biggest fert, but I don't think he is overweight. I have only had him for about 1 month.
*Snickelfritz: ~6mo, male, he is very healthy and very active! He is always the first one up, and the last one to go to sleep He seems to be a good size. I have only had him for about 1 month.
***I am 'fostering' the last 3 listed, for my friend. I will have them for approximately a year, and he said he would take them back once he moves back into town. From his actions and the conversations we have had, I do not believe he actually plans on taking them back. Nevertheless, I have spoken to him about switching to a natural diet and he agrees and will continue the diet if he does take them back. I hope this won't be a problem!
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I just got my 'foster' fuzzies switched over completely to Evo Ferret food, from their old Marshalls food. They sometimes get a little Ferretone when I trim their nails, some FerretLax, a very small amount of FerretVite when they aren't feeling good, and the occasional Ferret Chew Treat to help their teeth. They also get some cooked chicken and raw eggs every now and then. I just recently learned about giving them EV Olive Oil, Coconut oil, etc. So I will start phasing some oils into their diet, as well as some pumpkin!
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, this will be the first time!
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I am a college student, and I am hoping to get into a Veterinary Medicine program! I work part time to have some money to spoil my pets, and volunteer I live with my boyfriend who is also a college student and works part time. Together we have our 5 fuzzies, 1 hedgehog, and 1 dwarf bunny (but the bunny lives with my younger sister) We love to take in and help out animals! Most of our critters have been rescues.
My fuzzbutts are a crazy lot Always getting into trouble!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday! Both my boyfriend and I have our own laptop.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Pictures are on the way! It is really hard to get a good picture of them when they won't stop running!
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO YOUR FERRET EATING A RAW DIET IS YOU! YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR THEM, AND BE WILLING TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED, FOR AS LONG AS IT IS NEEDED
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. A scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams.
Got it!
2. All the makings for a puree soup. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course)
Got them!
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch.
Check!
Soup for switch:
8oz chicken(or other meat)
One chicken liver(or 2oz other liver)
2 chicken hearts(or 1oz other heart)
1/2 tsp eggshell powder
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (Sunnyberra) 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
HF Forum Username: FamilyOfExotics
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I had heard some friends of mine talking about switching their cats over to a natural diet, and wondered if I could do this with my fuzzies. I did some looking around online and found this forum! HFF has been my main source of information regarding a natural diet!
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.
At this point in time, I am not 100% sure what I would like to switch them too. I am a college student and work part-time, so I can sometimes be quite busy. I would LOVE to switch them over to a full natural diet, but am not sure if it would be possible with my schedule. If not, then I want to at least be close to 90% natural diet! I might be interested in feeding whole prey a little bit later, although I am not sure where I could get the whole prey from! I don't believe I could ever feed live prey though.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I really love all my animals and want the absolute best for them! I think that a natural diet is the healthiest option for them, and I want my furbabies to live a very long and healthy life. I am willing to do anything I can to give them the best life 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 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 realize that my life can sometimes be hectic, but I refuse to let that affect my pets. My pets come first in my life, and they always will. I am completely determined to make the switch, and will rearrange my schedule so that I can do so!
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 currently have 5 ferrets.
Aspen: ~1yr 6mo, female, she has intermittent periods of diarrhea but we haven't been able to find out the cause.. She is kind of small so I would like to see her put on some weight! I have had her for over a year.
Baine: ~1yr 4mo, male, he is really healthy and active He seems to be a good size! I have had him for about 1 year now.
*Snickers: ~11mo, female, she is very healthy and playful! She seems a little small as well. I have only had her for about 1 month.
*Ba-nom-a-nom: ~1yr, male, he is pretty healthy but is actually rather lazy.. He will get up and play for a bit but not as actively as the others! He is my biggest fert, but I don't think he is overweight. I have only had him for about 1 month.
*Snickelfritz: ~6mo, male, he is very healthy and very active! He is always the first one up, and the last one to go to sleep He seems to be a good size. I have only had him for about 1 month.
***I am 'fostering' the last 3 listed, for my friend. I will have them for approximately a year, and he said he would take them back once he moves back into town. From his actions and the conversations we have had, I do not believe he actually plans on taking them back. Nevertheless, I have spoken to him about switching to a natural diet and he agrees and will continue the diet if he does take them back. I hope this won't be a problem!
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I just got my 'foster' fuzzies switched over completely to Evo Ferret food, from their old Marshalls food. They sometimes get a little Ferretone when I trim their nails, some FerretLax, a very small amount of FerretVite when they aren't feeling good, and the occasional Ferret Chew Treat to help their teeth. They also get some cooked chicken and raw eggs every now and then. I just recently learned about giving them EV Olive Oil, Coconut oil, etc. So I will start phasing some oils into their diet, as well as some pumpkin!
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, this will be the first time!
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I am a college student, and I am hoping to get into a Veterinary Medicine program! I work part time to have some money to spoil my pets, and volunteer I live with my boyfriend who is also a college student and works part time. Together we have our 5 fuzzies, 1 hedgehog, and 1 dwarf bunny (but the bunny lives with my younger sister) We love to take in and help out animals! Most of our critters have been rescues.
My fuzzbutts are a crazy lot Always getting into trouble!
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday! Both my boyfriend and I have our own laptop.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Pictures are on the way! It is really hard to get a good picture of them when they won't stop running!
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO YOUR FERRET EATING A RAW DIET IS YOU! YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR THEM, AND BE WILLING TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED, FOR AS LONG AS IT IS NEEDED
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. A scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams.
Got it!
2. All the makings for a puree soup. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course)
Got them!
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch.
Check!
Soup for switch:
8oz chicken(or other meat)
One chicken liver(or 2oz other liver)
2 chicken hearts(or 1oz other heart)
1/2 tsp eggshell powder
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (Sunnyberra) 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