Post by Heather on Feb 28, 2013 1:55:54 GMT -5
Name: Sandy
HF Forum Username: sandyvern
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
In general I have heard/read about for other animals for awhile…for my ferrets from this forum shortly after getting my first ferret.
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 to totally raw…but a combination of commercial raw and frankenprey (meats I can get in the grocery store or through a supplier such as Hare Today) I think. May possibly be able to add frozen mice as we already have some available as my boyfriend has snakes and other reptiles.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want to do what is best for them and from reading and research it seems that a more natural diet is best for them.
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 than happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. 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 understand…and I am committed.
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 ferrets
Sammie - female; d.o.b. 9/20/10; no health problems that I know of; good weight; had her since 11/16/10…little more than 2 years
Stevie - female; d.o.b. 5/20/12; no health problems that I know of; good weight; had her since 9/1/12…about 6 months
Riley - male; d.o.b. 11/18/12; no health problems that I know of; little underweight; had him since 2/13/13…so 2 whole days!!
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
For the 2 girls, I have been working on getting them to switch from kibble (Evo & Epigen 90 mix)…and just recently took away all kibble. They are eating commercial raw soup/slop stage. Using Nature’s Variety medallions chicken, lamb, rabbit, venison, beef, duck. Also sometimes mix in some Stella & Chewys Duck Duck Goose. Just recently added some frozen Primal pheasant and quail as well. I tend to mix a bunch of flavors together for each feeding (ie. ¼ medallion of 4 different proteins). They also get a bit of Salmon Oil and Ferretone (eventually phasing out the Ferretone). And they get Ferretvite when I clip nails if I don’t have help to hold them.
As of this week, I have been adding a little pureed chicken, beef liver, lamb to their commercial raw too. And thanks to my new boy they are eating chicken wings too (course that has only been for 2 days now).
My boy has only been home 2 day…at the store he was on Marshalls…and others on the forum (Sherry, Heather, possibly others) said to just put raw in front of him rather than worry about providing kibble. And he has dug right in. He will eat the soupie/slop but I think he wants the whole thing now…has eaten chicken wings and big slices/chunks of beef, and ground turkey (from grocery).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes, have been in process for about 6 months or so. Still working on it... But decided to sign up for the mentoring program so I can get better guidance about making sure their diet is balanced.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Loving these guys!! Wish I had the opportunity to own them sooner…but so glad I found them now. Can’t imagine life without them.
Animals are pretty much my life. I have a menagerie of other animals besides the 3 ferrets: a 6 month old border collie cross pup; 2 cats; 2 parrotlets; 1 Congo African Grey; and 3 bearded dragons! I have had animals all my life. I grew up on a mini farm (raised dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese…you name it we had it). I have my own pet sitting business…so when I am not feeding or cleaning up after my own animals, I am taking care of my clients animals. Went to college and majored in Animal Science…with an emphasis on Equine Management…worked full time with show horses for about 15 years until the last farm I was at got sold. So now I just get my horse-y fix from a few of my pet sitting customers that have horses at their homes. I live with my boyfriend of 7 years (d*mn time flies!!) and he has his own menagerie of snakes, tarantulas and scorpios.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Pretty much every day.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I have some pictures post of them in the Show Your Ferrets thread.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sherry) 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. Also note there may have been some changes in the application and how you should post so please review these before proceeding. If you have any questions feel free to either ask your mentor or any of the admins. 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: sandyvern
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
In general I have heard/read about for other animals for awhile…for my ferrets from this forum shortly after getting my first ferret.
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 to totally raw…but a combination of commercial raw and frankenprey (meats I can get in the grocery store or through a supplier such as Hare Today) I think. May possibly be able to add frozen mice as we already have some available as my boyfriend has snakes and other reptiles.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want to do what is best for them and from reading and research it seems that a more natural diet is best for them.
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 than happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. 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 understand…and I am committed.
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 ferrets
Sammie - female; d.o.b. 9/20/10; no health problems that I know of; good weight; had her since 11/16/10…little more than 2 years
Stevie - female; d.o.b. 5/20/12; no health problems that I know of; good weight; had her since 9/1/12…about 6 months
Riley - male; d.o.b. 11/18/12; no health problems that I know of; little underweight; had him since 2/13/13…so 2 whole days!!
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
For the 2 girls, I have been working on getting them to switch from kibble (Evo & Epigen 90 mix)…and just recently took away all kibble. They are eating commercial raw soup/slop stage. Using Nature’s Variety medallions chicken, lamb, rabbit, venison, beef, duck. Also sometimes mix in some Stella & Chewys Duck Duck Goose. Just recently added some frozen Primal pheasant and quail as well. I tend to mix a bunch of flavors together for each feeding (ie. ¼ medallion of 4 different proteins). They also get a bit of Salmon Oil and Ferretone (eventually phasing out the Ferretone). And they get Ferretvite when I clip nails if I don’t have help to hold them.
As of this week, I have been adding a little pureed chicken, beef liver, lamb to their commercial raw too. And thanks to my new boy they are eating chicken wings too (course that has only been for 2 days now).
My boy has only been home 2 day…at the store he was on Marshalls…and others on the forum (Sherry, Heather, possibly others) said to just put raw in front of him rather than worry about providing kibble. And he has dug right in. He will eat the soupie/slop but I think he wants the whole thing now…has eaten chicken wings and big slices/chunks of beef, and ground turkey (from grocery).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes, have been in process for about 6 months or so. Still working on it... But decided to sign up for the mentoring program so I can get better guidance about making sure their diet is balanced.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Loving these guys!! Wish I had the opportunity to own them sooner…but so glad I found them now. Can’t imagine life without them.
Animals are pretty much my life. I have a menagerie of other animals besides the 3 ferrets: a 6 month old border collie cross pup; 2 cats; 2 parrotlets; 1 Congo African Grey; and 3 bearded dragons! I have had animals all my life. I grew up on a mini farm (raised dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese…you name it we had it). I have my own pet sitting business…so when I am not feeding or cleaning up after my own animals, I am taking care of my clients animals. Went to college and majored in Animal Science…with an emphasis on Equine Management…worked full time with show horses for about 15 years until the last farm I was at got sold. So now I just get my horse-y fix from a few of my pet sitting customers that have horses at their homes. I live with my boyfriend of 7 years (d*mn time flies!!) and he has his own menagerie of snakes, tarantulas and scorpios.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Pretty much every day.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I have some pictures post of them in the Show Your Ferrets thread.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sherry) 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. Also note there may have been some changes in the application and how you should post so please review these before proceeding. If you have any questions feel free to either ask your mentor or any of the admins. 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