|
Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2012 23:41:01 GMT -5
Hey Steph, Leaving the food out for twelve hours is not a problem, we were just curious. Not a whole lot has changed. I think Cyrus is starting to enjoy the food more now. We didn't know the health risks of ferrovite and ferrotone when giving it to them. We may have gave it to them more than the amount you suggested, so I think we will steer clear of that, they are generally pretty good with nail trimmings We also have found a feeding area where the cats will not be able to eat their food, so that problem is solved. We will be in touch soon with an update, Justin & Breanne
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2012 23:48:40 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear that, I would have been a worried mentor about them going hungry otherwise! ;D
I am also going to get you to fill this out at the end of each week so on Sundays.
For each ferret:
Name: What they've been eating and how much per day: (ie. soup 3oz + however much kibble) Activity level: Stool shape and consistency: Weight:
Also a picture of each ferret at the end of every two weeks. So I'll get you to take another one now if you don't mind.
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 13:39:32 GMT -5
Hi Steph, ok we will start filling the form out. I'm not sure how we will know how much of each that each ferret has ate though. They share the soup and kibble so it may be kind of hard. I am at my cottage right now and I have the camera so Justin won't be able to post a pic until Tuesday. Sorry!
Breanne
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 19:44:33 GMT -5
No worries about the picture! And if you don't know the amounts each are eating, just give me the estimated amount you're giving both of them to share per day. And then try keep an eye on who is eating how much next week Also if you could outline your feeding procedure at the moment. Like what time you are removing the kibble, when are you putting the soup in, how long, etc.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 7:59:40 GMT -5
Hi Steph,
I will get the pictures for you tonight after work. Ok, we will start updating you on how much we give them to share.
This weekend, because I was away and Justin was working, he put the kibble out from midnight to noon and the soup was out from noon to midnight. During the week we are putting the soup out at about 10am and replacing it with kibble at about midnight (with a half hour wait in between, of course!). This weekend was different than normal since I was away, so the weekends will usually be about the same as the weekdays.
Thanks Breanne
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2012 6:32:53 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2012 1:13:22 GMT -5
They both look good. I do need the other info from the form still (weight, activity level, stool size/shape/consistency) That sounds like a good feeding schedule. If you could let me know how much soup you give them to share per day that would be great. Do they have access to the soup at all times during the "soup time period"? And is there always a bit of soup left over when you remove it? Ferrets on raw food self regulate how much they eat. So you want to make sure they have enough fresh food during the day that there's just a bit leftover at the end. This way you know they stopped eating because they weren't hungry and not just cause they ran out of food. Also do you witness them both eating the soup regularly throughout the day? Or is one ferret hogging it all? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to gage if they are both eating enough soup to safely move onto replacing the kibble with soup at night too!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2012 22:05:45 GMT -5
Hi Steph, All the questions are no problem! Here are the answers. We give them about 4 ice cubes per day When they have the "soup period" they have access to it the whole time. Usually there is just a tiny bit left. When we first give the ferrets the food, they both eat it. We cannot say for sure that both ferrets are eating it throughout the day after that. We will try to keep a better eye on which of them is eating it during the day. Sorry about the other info, I didn't think you needed it unil next Sunday but here is it: Name: Zeus What he's been eating and how much per day: We have been giving them 4 ice cubes per day and will try to watch to verify that they are both eating. Activity level: Seems to be more active than he was before (or maybe its just my imagination). Definetly not any less active. Stool shape and consistency: little runny but nothing unusual for Zeus Weight: .84 kg Name: Cyrus What she's been eating and how much per day: We have been giving them 4 ice cubes per day and will try to watch to verify that they are both eating. Activity level: About the same as before - fairly active Stool shape and consistency: solid Weight: .74 kg Thanks, Breanne & Justin
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2012 0:52:21 GMT -5
Thanks! So 4 cubes between two ferrets isn't a whole ton of soup, especially since it's a lot of water, so let's work on getting them to eat more soup and less kibble. And then eventually the kibble can go all together! To do this, give them less kibble at night, and try removing the kibble for a couple hours before giving the soup to make them a bit hungrier. Then try offering more soup, say 6 cubes instead of 4. And let me know how much of that is being eaten. I'm thinking one or possibly both are eating the soup but not eating as much as they could be during the day because they are "holding out" for the kibble. How thick is the soup you are currently feeding now? For the next batch you make, you can try making it slightly less watery and a bit thicker. Still make sure it's smooth (no chunks or pieces) though. Let me know when you make that next batch too! Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2012 9:00:44 GMT -5
Hi Steph,
Yes I think you are right about only 1 ferret eatting it. To us it seems like Cyrus eats it when it first comes out and then doesn't eat it again until we put out some fresh soup. I think that she only really wants to eat it when there is oil so once that is gone off the top she won't go back and eat it later. I think she is probably the one holding out for the kibble. Zeus seems to be eating it throughout the day. We will try giving them 6 cubes throughout the day now.
The soup that we are giving them is pretty thick when we first make it. It seems like when we freeze the ice cubes and unthaw them its a little more liquidy though.
We will be making the next batch today or tomorrow. Maybe you can recommend how much water we should put it the batch.
Also, Zeus' stool seems to be very runny yesterday and today.
Thanks Justin & Breanne
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2012 19:37:59 GMT -5
Hmm okay. What you may have to do is put fresh soup down twice during the day instead of once. Putting the oil on both times, and mixing it in a little bit. You're really going to have to watch Cyrus and make sure she's eating the soup. Hand feed a few times a day if need be too. I know it's a lot of work but it's not going to be safe to get rid of the kibble all together until she's eating it more consistently. As for the thickness, make it so it's more of a purée, sort of baby food consistency. Just no chunks yet. Are you still adding the egg shell to the soup? You may have to add a few sprinkles more if the stool is off. Also I'm going to get you to pick up some pumpkin. Canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling. Make sure there's no seasoning or spices. You should be able to find it in the Baking aisle. If you can find it, baby food squash works too. Give each ferret 1/2 tsp of pumpkin a day. This will be something to continue with throughout the switch and for their lifetime. Pumpkin mimics the feathers and fur they would eat in the wild. It helps the raw food go down easier, prevents hair balls, and keeps their stool consistent Keep me updated on Cyrus's progress daily please. Try get at least the 3 soup cubes in her during the day for now. Then slowly Increase the amount of soup and decrease the kibble at night.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 7:00:43 GMT -5
Hi Steph,
Actually this weekend that is what we started doing.. putting out new food 2 times per day rather than once. We will continue to do that.
Our consistancy of the food seems about right.. about the consistancy of baby food.
Yes we are still adding the egg shell to the mixture. We will start adding a bit more.
I will get canned pumpkin at the grocery store tomorrow when I go.
I will let you know daily about Cyrus.
Thanks, Breanne & Justin
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 13:44:56 GMT -5
Okay perfect thanks! How much kibble are you giving them at night?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2012 7:08:13 GMT -5
Hi Steph, Yesterday Cyrus ate about 1.5 - 2 ice cubes. I forgot to let Justin know that we had to get her eating more so I didn't really start trying until I got home from work. Today should be better though. I made new soup yesterday and put a little extra egg shell in it. Also, I put their food out before I left for work this morning so it will be out from about 6am to midnight from now on. Is that alright? I thought it would help Cyrus eat more. She was eating it when I left . I gave them 2 ice cubes, so Justin will give them another 2 when that finishes and we will just keep giving them more until midnight. In the past we have been just giving them an amount of kibble that they could never finish in a night but we have started giving less. There is still some left by morning though. Is that OK? Thanks, Breanne
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2012 12:25:42 GMT -5
That is a good amount of time to leave the soup out As you get them eating more soup during the day, you can slowly decrease the kibble you leave out at night. Keep me updated on how Zeus's poops are looking too.
|
|