Post by Heather on Dec 6, 2012 2:42:55 GMT -5
Name: Mie Madsen
HF Forum Username: Lizzy171002 shown as Mie
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
On the Danish ferret forum, Ferretopia.eu
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 would like to switch the group over on frankenprey, with whole prey as treats.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Some of mine are getting up in age, and others are quite young. I think it would benefit them all with a more natural diet.
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 switching 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?
Yes. I already spend almost all my time with my fur babies, and am able to plan around any other commitments.
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?
1. Calvin, 1½ years old. Hob with a suprelorin implant. No health problems, and a good normal weight. I have had him since he was a kit, so 1 year and roughly three months.
2. Sikka, 2½ year old jill with a suprelorin implant. No health problems, a good healthy weight. I’ve had her for just about a year.
3. Ego, 8 and a bit. Gib. No health problems, and a tendency towards being slightly under weight. I’ve had him for a year.
4. Uno, 8 month old hob. Tail fault (Last few cm of the tail are bent at a right angle.) He was born with that. He is a bit chubby, but I consider that a combination of winter and puppy weight. According to the weight chart, he has evened out at a reasonable 1744 grams. I have had him since June 10th, so six months.
5. Futte, 4 years old (aprox), Gib. No health problems, and a good normal weight. I have had him for three months.
6. Chico, 6 years old (aprox) Gib. He struggles with a sensitive stomach and will get diarrhea at the smallest change, so his weight yoyos, but once he gets used to a new food (or treat) his weight quickly reaches a healthy range. Might be stress related IBD, my vets says. I have had him for three months. He chews anything Wool.
7. Ozzy, 7 months (aprox) old hob. No health problems, and a good healthy weight. I have had him for 2 months.
8. Konrad, 7 months (aprox) old hob. No health problems, and a good weight. I have had him since 16-11-2012.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I currently feed Applaws Kitten as a main staple, with semi-dried chicken and duck fillets as treats, which is what they all eat. They also get mice and chicks with regular intervals, but only Sikka will always eat them. Calvin, Ego and Uno all nibble, and will eat a whole mouse/chick once in a blue moon. The last four haven’t eaten anything bit the kibble and the dried treats. They all get a bit of vitamin paste each week, while Chico also gets some Zoolac if his tummy is upset. Once a week I give them egg yolks as a treat.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened? Sikka came pre-switched, I guess you could say, but I have had very little success getting my others to follow her example when it comes to eating meat. I tried back when Calvin and his former cage-mate (DIP Freja) were lone ferrets in the house, and had them eating some chunks and bone, but he stopped after Freja died from Adrenal. He hasn’t been really willing since.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I keep detailed weight charts over my fur babies. I weigh weekly.
I also share a house with three other adults, and a 10 year old child, as well as three dogs, two cats, two cockatiels, two turtles, and a snake. We have a small chicken coup in the garden.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
I always have computer access, but my internet access can be iffy, given our horrible location and the bad coverage in the area.
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 (Hurricane Katt) 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: Lizzy171002 shown as Mie
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
On the Danish ferret forum, Ferretopia.eu
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 would like to switch the group over on frankenprey, with whole prey as treats.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Some of mine are getting up in age, and others are quite young. I think it would benefit them all with a more natural diet.
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 switching 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?
Yes. I already spend almost all my time with my fur babies, and am able to plan around any other commitments.
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?
1. Calvin, 1½ years old. Hob with a suprelorin implant. No health problems, and a good normal weight. I have had him since he was a kit, so 1 year and roughly three months.
2. Sikka, 2½ year old jill with a suprelorin implant. No health problems, a good healthy weight. I’ve had her for just about a year.
3. Ego, 8 and a bit. Gib. No health problems, and a tendency towards being slightly under weight. I’ve had him for a year.
4. Uno, 8 month old hob. Tail fault (Last few cm of the tail are bent at a right angle.) He was born with that. He is a bit chubby, but I consider that a combination of winter and puppy weight. According to the weight chart, he has evened out at a reasonable 1744 grams. I have had him since June 10th, so six months.
5. Futte, 4 years old (aprox), Gib. No health problems, and a good normal weight. I have had him for three months.
6. Chico, 6 years old (aprox) Gib. He struggles with a sensitive stomach and will get diarrhea at the smallest change, so his weight yoyos, but once he gets used to a new food (or treat) his weight quickly reaches a healthy range. Might be stress related IBD, my vets says. I have had him for three months. He chews anything Wool.
7. Ozzy, 7 months (aprox) old hob. No health problems, and a good healthy weight. I have had him for 2 months.
8. Konrad, 7 months (aprox) old hob. No health problems, and a good weight. I have had him since 16-11-2012.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
I currently feed Applaws Kitten as a main staple, with semi-dried chicken and duck fillets as treats, which is what they all eat. They also get mice and chicks with regular intervals, but only Sikka will always eat them. Calvin, Ego and Uno all nibble, and will eat a whole mouse/chick once in a blue moon. The last four haven’t eaten anything bit the kibble and the dried treats. They all get a bit of vitamin paste each week, while Chico also gets some Zoolac if his tummy is upset. Once a week I give them egg yolks as a treat.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened? Sikka came pre-switched, I guess you could say, but I have had very little success getting my others to follow her example when it comes to eating meat. I tried back when Calvin and his former cage-mate (DIP Freja) were lone ferrets in the house, and had them eating some chunks and bone, but he stopped after Freja died from Adrenal. He hasn’t been really willing since.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I keep detailed weight charts over my fur babies. I weigh weekly.
I also share a house with three other adults, and a 10 year old child, as well as three dogs, two cats, two cockatiels, two turtles, and a snake. We have a small chicken coup in the garden.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
I always have computer access, but my internet access can be iffy, given our horrible location and the bad coverage in the area.
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 (Hurricane Katt) 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