liquid poop and pumpkin

[Deleted]

ok, so i have two fur babies both Marshall Farms fed until i got them. Thats what the pet store had them on. They were switched to 8 and 1 ultra which was recommended on some other forums, and i knew marshals was really bad. The oldest of the two has been switched for three weeks, and the youngest has been switched fro 1 week. They both have very liquid poop you can hear a squirting sound when they go. I haven't had ferrets in years and forgot to eas the food change. anyway, i gave them each a tsp of pumpkin today to help with it. They loved it, what im wondering is since its so bad should i give them more to help clear it up? Their poops after the pumpkin were still liquid but just a little better. Ive also read that like dogs, if they are having stomach issues you can withhold food for 24 hours till it calms down and then give them food as long as they have plenty of fresh water. Lastly since i joined this forum i have read up on better foods. Im not able to switch to raw yet, and want them on the best kibble they can get. Im wanting to switch them to Wysong Epigen 90, should i just switch since they are already having tummy problems, or should i try and mix the two together. Planning on giving them a tsp of pumpkin a day since the like it so much.

[Heather]

Ferrets unlike dogs cannot be fasted for 24 hrs especially if kibble fed and even more if they're babies...so no fasting. Kibble fed ferrets need access to their food 24/7 as they're actually burning up so much energy just trying to digest their kibbles. You've given them 1 tsp of pumpkin and it appeared to work so that's good. You can probably give them another tsp in about 4 to 6 hrs. Guessing here because I'm not accustomed to kibble fed ferrets (been feeding raw for about 20 yrs now). The switch to a higher grade kibble will be very rough on their digestive system. I've found that when switching kibbles (only did it once with a pair of ferrets who were horribly neglected and starved) it resulted in horrible messes. Slower would have been better but what's done is done. Make sure that the wee ones are getting lots of water to replace the fluids they're loosing. If their activity levels are still good and they're eating well, then proceed as you've been going. I would hold off adding a new kibble until their digestion is under control and then I would go with the slow mix. Many who feed kibbles often feed 2 or 3 different types mixed so accommodate manufacturers whims on recipe changes
Hope that helps, others who feed kibble or are more up on it will pop in to help you out
ciao

[Deleted]

well thats a start, then i will not fast them. and i will give them another tsp in 6hrs. should i do that every 6 hours or so if it is helping

[Sherry]

Also it would be a good idea to get them used to some sort of soup, for times like this or when they get sick. Even just a soup made from the kibble.
As for a better kibble, check out things like Origen, Ziwipeak, Go!, Wellness Core, and Epigen90.
You want to check the first five ingredients and want as many meat products and as few grains as possible.
Here is a link we have. Check out the second link in the first post: holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=food&action=display&thread=125

[Deleted]

ok based on that chart im still leaning towards wysong ferret epigen 90. But the Primal Freeze-Dried Chicken and Salmon caught my attention. opinions on the two

[Sherry]

Between the two? Freeze dried by far! It's raw ;D But only when two meals a day are fed rehydrated. You can always leave some dry for nibblies during the day. If you think you may be interested in FD, here's a fantastic place to get it from. Dora's customer service and time of delivery is amazing! www.caseyshiddenpantry.com/

[Deleted]

so if i do the freeze dried, i re hydrate and feed it to them twice a day.

[Sherry]

Yes, rehydrate a certain amount and give twice a day. Then you can leave a small amount in with them to munch on during the day.

[Deleted]

ok well i might do that, you think they will take to that easily orrrr will it be as much work as truly raw. Also still wondering if i should keep them on the 8 in 1 till theri digestive problems clear up. And lastly ive givven them each a tsp of pumpkin twice yesterday did seem to help some but its runny again today. should i give them more.

[Sherry]

Frankly I'd switch them asap. And as far as how difficult it will be, it all depends on the ferret. Some take to it easily, some take some coaxing. No different with kibble as a rule.
For the pumpkin try giving 1/2 tsp daily.

[Deleted]

does that go for the wysong epigen 90 also, the switching immediately i mean, i feel like im already dealing with cleaning up the runs might as well switch to the good food which ever one i go with. Other than the mess their happy and playing and cuddeling eating and drinking normally

[Sherry]

It goes for any switch, as far as tummy upsets go.
As for coaxing, ferrets imprint on their food. It's a mechanism that keeps weasels in the wild from poisoning themselves. Anything new could potentially be poison, so it can take a while to get them to accept it. Persistence is what's needed in that case.
What I do for raw switches is take the kibble out a couple hrs ahead of time and when fuzz are out playing I offer a taste a soup from my finger. If they refuse I just keep dabbing a bit on noses and let them go, over and over and over. Sooner or later they will lick it willingly, then a spoon is used and finally a dish.

[Deleted]

ok thanks for all the help. im going to be switching their food in the next week or so. Still havent decided on the freeze dried or the wysong but ill figure it out. Thanks again