Post by Heather on Jan 26, 2013 22:23:36 GMT -5
Name: Emma
HF Forum Username: Emz247
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Research and fellow ferret owners.
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.
Full switch to natural diet. Mainly frankenprey with some whole prey – mice, rabbit, DOC’s, quail (all frozen-thawed)
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I believe a natural diet will be much better for my ferrets. I have one ferret Gizmo who has IBS.
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.
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?
5 ferrets – all have come from ferret rescues as kits so I have had them all their lives.
Zebedee – albino hob, 4 years old (5 in May 2013), has an intolerance to chicken in the past so not been fed chicken for years, overweight this winter, never been so before.
Gizmo – albino hob (blood brother to Zebedee), 4 years old (5 in May 2013). Has IBS with two recurrences of e-coli (dominating the gut flora). Currently on predislone – been on this for 2 weeks, half tablet once a day, now starts ½ tablet every other day for a week. This is to see if we can calm the gut from his last (second) bout of e-coli for which he had been on broad spectrum antibiotics. Not over or underweight but I would feel happier if he gained a little as he has no excess winter weight.
Pixie – sandy jill, 3 years old (4 in May), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight (no excess winter weight)
Smudge – silver mitt jill, 3 years old (4 in June), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight.
Jasmine – polecat jill, 3 years old (4 in July/Aug), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight, always a slinky thing.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Mix of ferret kibbles – Vitalin, James Wellbeloved, Alpha, Nature Selection
Ferretone for nail clipping - however now using fish oil
Ferrevite for Gizmo to take his tablets
Beapher Malt Paste for hair balls
Raw meat – rabbit, mice, DOC’s, beef, pork, lamb, heart (ox and lambs mainly), liver (mainly chicken)
Homemade dried meat – beef
Raw Egg
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not entirely, they have always had access to kibble but I have worked on increasing the amount of meat they are eating such as only having raw meat available when they come in to the house for play times in the evenings.
Since Sunday 20th January 2013 I have taken away kibble and they are on soup (as per recipe on the forum) and chunks of meat.
They are eating the following;
Zebedee - soup and chunks
Gizmo - chunks only
Pixie - soup only
Smudge - soup and chunks
Jasmine - soup and chunks
Sun
Head end half of rabbit cut into small chunks to encourage Pixie to eat chunks as well as soup and access to soup (made as per forum recipe). I put kibble in overnight as was nervous Gizmo hadn't eaten much in day.
Mon
2 lambs hearts chopped into chunks and small slivers to entice Pixie.
Access to soup
Tue
16oz beef chopped into chunks and small slivers to entice Pixie.
Access to soup
Will be leaving half (bottom end) of rabbit in their cage overnight - again cut into chunks and slivers.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I live in Bristol, England, UK. I adore my ferrets, they are my world and I want to give them the best diet I can. At present they all eat meat but to varying amounts. My biggest worry is my sandy jill Pixie who is very picky about meat and I worry about her getting (well all of them) having a balanced diet.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Most days, depending on work schedule for time.
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 (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: Emz247
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Research and fellow ferret owners.
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.
Full switch to natural diet. Mainly frankenprey with some whole prey – mice, rabbit, DOC’s, quail (all frozen-thawed)
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I believe a natural diet will be much better for my ferrets. I have one ferret Gizmo who has IBS.
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.
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?
5 ferrets – all have come from ferret rescues as kits so I have had them all their lives.
Zebedee – albino hob, 4 years old (5 in May 2013), has an intolerance to chicken in the past so not been fed chicken for years, overweight this winter, never been so before.
Gizmo – albino hob (blood brother to Zebedee), 4 years old (5 in May 2013). Has IBS with two recurrences of e-coli (dominating the gut flora). Currently on predislone – been on this for 2 weeks, half tablet once a day, now starts ½ tablet every other day for a week. This is to see if we can calm the gut from his last (second) bout of e-coli for which he had been on broad spectrum antibiotics. Not over or underweight but I would feel happier if he gained a little as he has no excess winter weight.
Pixie – sandy jill, 3 years old (4 in May), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight (no excess winter weight)
Smudge – silver mitt jill, 3 years old (4 in June), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight.
Jasmine – polecat jill, 3 years old (4 in July/Aug), no health problems (fingers crossed), normal weight, always a slinky thing.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Mix of ferret kibbles – Vitalin, James Wellbeloved, Alpha, Nature Selection
Ferretone for nail clipping - however now using fish oil
Ferrevite for Gizmo to take his tablets
Beapher Malt Paste for hair balls
Raw meat – rabbit, mice, DOC’s, beef, pork, lamb, heart (ox and lambs mainly), liver (mainly chicken)
Homemade dried meat – beef
Raw Egg
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not entirely, they have always had access to kibble but I have worked on increasing the amount of meat they are eating such as only having raw meat available when they come in to the house for play times in the evenings.
Since Sunday 20th January 2013 I have taken away kibble and they are on soup (as per recipe on the forum) and chunks of meat.
They are eating the following;
Zebedee - soup and chunks
Gizmo - chunks only
Pixie - soup only
Smudge - soup and chunks
Jasmine - soup and chunks
Sun
Head end half of rabbit cut into small chunks to encourage Pixie to eat chunks as well as soup and access to soup (made as per forum recipe). I put kibble in overnight as was nervous Gizmo hadn't eaten much in day.
Mon
2 lambs hearts chopped into chunks and small slivers to entice Pixie.
Access to soup
Tue
16oz beef chopped into chunks and small slivers to entice Pixie.
Access to soup
Will be leaving half (bottom end) of rabbit in their cage overnight - again cut into chunks and slivers.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I live in Bristol, England, UK. I adore my ferrets, they are my world and I want to give them the best diet I can. At present they all eat meat but to varying amounts. My biggest worry is my sandy jill Pixie who is very picky about meat and I worry about her getting (well all of them) having a balanced diet.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Most days, depending on work schedule for time.
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 (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