Post by Heather on Feb 6, 2013 22:12:11 GMT -5
Name:Stephan
HF Forum Username:cakez
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I first learned about natural diets for ferrets, many years ago working in all the pet stores i learned and saw first hand the benefits of a raw diet. Since then I've been doing on and off homework and I've come to the conclusion as well as joining the forum now would be the time to do it.
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 ferrets?
We want to have the ferrets fully switched to a raw diet. We do not mind feeding them frozen or thawed food, but we prefer not to feed live prey. we are not to sure exactly what kind of diet to permenantly put them on. Any and all opinions and comments are appreciated.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
We are interested in switching our ferrets to a raw diet because, as mentioned above I've seen and read the amazing benefits of lifestyle changes in both humans and animals. I'm seeing not health declines but rather just a loss in 'edge' that I feel comes directly with time when fed a kibble diet, I've again seen this just in years being around them. The concept of raw has also generally intrigued me largely in a human diet as well in animals, at the end of the day it just...makes sence.
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?
Absolutely! Myself and my girlfriend are 110% dedicated to our animals as a whole, they're our life and joy as we try to be there's as well. We both work full-time and I do go to school as the semester just started up, but we do not have time to be outside the apartment due to work / homework so it's easier to be in contact with the ferrets than it is NOT to be around them if that makes sence? What I'm getting at I guess is if I'm not home, she is an vi seversa*
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?
3, amazing babies.
Steve - 2y2mo. he's a chocolate male, no known health problems. weights right on, and he's been in our possession for approx. a year now. Prior to us he was with a friend of mine whom could no longer take care of them.
Meeko - 1y 3 days now. He's a champagne male, and yes...unfortunately meeko is our poor baby who's been through so much and only to hit a wall...he was diagnosed with Helio, and was 'treated' I say this because YES he got better than he was, but than digressed again, so back to the vet. Was diagnosed with possible IB or ECE, so was treated accodingly... He is now what we call 'maintaining' because he eats large amounts of kibble only to put on little to NO wait, he has a pot belly, itchs, randomly stares off, is loosing hair thickness and his itching has increased. I'm sure this all sounds familiar so this is largely what brings us to here, a lifestyle diet change as well as anything else. He IS underweight, and we've had him since approx. 4months old.
Sahara - 4m old female. No known health problems and weight is right on, she's still coming into her own for all intensive purposes.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Well, we've been all around the foods. Originally I was feeding Wysong epigon 90* I believe it's called, The ferrets LOVED it and their health seemed the best. Unfortunately Meeko got sick sometime after retrieving him and upon the vet visit she had come to the conclusion that we must remove the Wysong ASAP as it was the culprit ( I didn't agree but due to lack of another vet...I agreed ) so we changed to EVO per her request. The babies didn't and still to this day don't like the evo at all, it's only eat as a MUST basis... So I asked the vet and we're now feeding a mix of EVO and 8in1 Ultimate advanced nutrition.
As far as treats, we have chew treats that are a gelatin based, and the 8in1 Ultimate advanced nutrition 'soft' formula for them as a soft treat.
Supplements - well I do to ferretone every once and awhile, I;ve come to learn it's not good so I limit and I mean limit, to where I'm about to trash it. Also I dose Extra virgin olive oil.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I wanted to have 100% dedication. Except upon purchasing the ingredients mentioned above I made a soup per the recipe on the forums and Steve has taken quite a liking to it immediately, actually eating from the bowl, Meeko squirmed and choked it out/in if you will... and Sahara, well she would sniff and sniff and walk away but upon scruffing and stuffing she didn't gag or anything...she didn't enjoy it mind you...but took it like a champ none the less.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Nothing really else other than both mu girlfriend and I are go getters, we don't mind going through the bad to get to the good, the best gold is said to be at the bottom of the bad barrels..it's life and I like to think our ferrets share our pursuit, so anything is possible and the sky's the limit~
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
all 7!
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Well rather than uploading more I'm sorry I'll just link a thread where I have pictures.
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....ay&thread=10664
We have made some changes to the mentoring program to better help you, your ferrets, and your mentor! Here they are:
Please read below, and then these links:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4340
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4343
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4344
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4341
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4342
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
Absolutely, they're everything to us~
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.
Yup!! It's not the best/biggest but I can put a bowl/box on it and place them in it and get what I feel to be accurate within reason.
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 )
Yes!! I also got over zelous and got a frozen rabbit, cornish game hen, chicken thighs and hearts and livers and gizzards(wasn't sure on these...they were thrown in for free)
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch.
Yes, I have many and also the above posted.
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
Yup! It's made and I can see how playing with the consistencies can make a HUGE difference so I look forward to finding what'll work best.
If these things are not already on hand, your request will be moved back into the application thread, and the next person accepted instead.
The following form is to be filled out weekly so we can keep better tabs on not only how the switch is going, but on the health of your ferret. As well as any potential risks that may arise if they are not eating enough at certain sections of their switch.
Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday.
1. Ferret's name:
2. Ferret's weight:
3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal.
4. Stools on various proteins.
5. Activity levels:
6. Weekly menu:
Example would be:
Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal.
Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time.
Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often.
Weekly menu was:
Monday: chicken legs
Tuesday: Commercial raw
Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers
Etc. Just write what you actually fed them.
Also, to help us make sure your ferret is doing well during his switch, a picture from above showing his body shape clearly would be appreciated bi-weekly, but is not essential.
Thank you all so much for such a great community of information and what your doing~
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:cakez
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I first learned about natural diets for ferrets, many years ago working in all the pet stores i learned and saw first hand the benefits of a raw diet. Since then I've been doing on and off homework and I've come to the conclusion as well as joining the forum now would be the time to do it.
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 ferrets?
We want to have the ferrets fully switched to a raw diet. We do not mind feeding them frozen or thawed food, but we prefer not to feed live prey. we are not to sure exactly what kind of diet to permenantly put them on. Any and all opinions and comments are appreciated.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
We are interested in switching our ferrets to a raw diet because, as mentioned above I've seen and read the amazing benefits of lifestyle changes in both humans and animals. I'm seeing not health declines but rather just a loss in 'edge' that I feel comes directly with time when fed a kibble diet, I've again seen this just in years being around them. The concept of raw has also generally intrigued me largely in a human diet as well in animals, at the end of the day it just...makes sence.
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?
Absolutely! Myself and my girlfriend are 110% dedicated to our animals as a whole, they're our life and joy as we try to be there's as well. We both work full-time and I do go to school as the semester just started up, but we do not have time to be outside the apartment due to work / homework so it's easier to be in contact with the ferrets than it is NOT to be around them if that makes sence? What I'm getting at I guess is if I'm not home, she is an vi seversa*
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?
3, amazing babies.
Steve - 2y2mo. he's a chocolate male, no known health problems. weights right on, and he's been in our possession for approx. a year now. Prior to us he was with a friend of mine whom could no longer take care of them.
Meeko - 1y 3 days now. He's a champagne male, and yes...unfortunately meeko is our poor baby who's been through so much and only to hit a wall...he was diagnosed with Helio, and was 'treated' I say this because YES he got better than he was, but than digressed again, so back to the vet. Was diagnosed with possible IB or ECE, so was treated accodingly... He is now what we call 'maintaining' because he eats large amounts of kibble only to put on little to NO wait, he has a pot belly, itchs, randomly stares off, is loosing hair thickness and his itching has increased. I'm sure this all sounds familiar so this is largely what brings us to here, a lifestyle diet change as well as anything else. He IS underweight, and we've had him since approx. 4months old.
Sahara - 4m old female. No known health problems and weight is right on, she's still coming into her own for all intensive purposes.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Well, we've been all around the foods. Originally I was feeding Wysong epigon 90* I believe it's called, The ferrets LOVED it and their health seemed the best. Unfortunately Meeko got sick sometime after retrieving him and upon the vet visit she had come to the conclusion that we must remove the Wysong ASAP as it was the culprit ( I didn't agree but due to lack of another vet...I agreed ) so we changed to EVO per her request. The babies didn't and still to this day don't like the evo at all, it's only eat as a MUST basis... So I asked the vet and we're now feeding a mix of EVO and 8in1 Ultimate advanced nutrition.
As far as treats, we have chew treats that are a gelatin based, and the 8in1 Ultimate advanced nutrition 'soft' formula for them as a soft treat.
Supplements - well I do to ferretone every once and awhile, I;ve come to learn it's not good so I limit and I mean limit, to where I'm about to trash it. Also I dose Extra virgin olive oil.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I wanted to have 100% dedication. Except upon purchasing the ingredients mentioned above I made a soup per the recipe on the forums and Steve has taken quite a liking to it immediately, actually eating from the bowl, Meeko squirmed and choked it out/in if you will... and Sahara, well she would sniff and sniff and walk away but upon scruffing and stuffing she didn't gag or anything...she didn't enjoy it mind you...but took it like a champ none the less.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Nothing really else other than both mu girlfriend and I are go getters, we don't mind going through the bad to get to the good, the best gold is said to be at the bottom of the bad barrels..it's life and I like to think our ferrets share our pursuit, so anything is possible and the sky's the limit~
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
all 7!
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Well rather than uploading more I'm sorry I'll just link a thread where I have pictures.
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....ay&thread=10664
We have made some changes to the mentoring program to better help you, your ferrets, and your mentor! Here they are:
Please read below, and then these links:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4340
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4343
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4344
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4341
holisticferret60.proboards.com/in....lay&thread=4342
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
Absolutely, they're everything to us~
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.
Yup!! It's not the best/biggest but I can put a bowl/box on it and place them in it and get what I feel to be accurate within reason.
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 )
Yes!! I also got over zelous and got a frozen rabbit, cornish game hen, chicken thighs and hearts and livers and gizzards(wasn't sure on these...they were thrown in for free)
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch.
Yes, I have many and also the above posted.
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
Yup! It's made and I can see how playing with the consistencies can make a HUGE difference so I look forward to finding what'll work best.
If these things are not already on hand, your request will be moved back into the application thread, and the next person accepted instead.
The following form is to be filled out weekly so we can keep better tabs on not only how the switch is going, but on the health of your ferret. As well as any potential risks that may arise if they are not eating enough at certain sections of their switch.
Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday.
1. Ferret's name:
2. Ferret's weight:
3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal.
4. Stools on various proteins.
5. Activity levels:
6. Weekly menu:
Example would be:
Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal.
Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time.
Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often.
Weekly menu was:
Monday: chicken legs
Tuesday: Commercial raw
Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers
Etc. Just write what you actually fed them.
Also, to help us make sure your ferret is doing well during his switch, a picture from above showing his body shape clearly would be appreciated bi-weekly, but is not essential.
Thank you all so much for such a great community of information and what your doing~
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