Post by Heather on May 16, 2013 21:26:46 GMT -5
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
- From my the owner of a horse stable who fed her 12 dogs a natural diet. I was convinced to make the switch for my pups and they have never been healthier. When adopting my first ferret I had intended to feed him raw but it just didn't work out at the time. I always knew kibble wasn't the ideal diet for any animal. After all, do we humans live off cereal?
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.
- Ideally I would love to feed whole prey (mice, rats, chicks, etc.) as my older boys LOVE getting live mice to catch and kill even though that's all they do with them. I will hopefully be feeding pre-killed prey as I hate watching the poor little guys get slaughtered by my boys. The squeaks are heart wrenching! I will settle for making my own diet though as that is what I have done for my dogs. Also I'd like to switch fully to raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
- I want my boys to live the healthiest and longest life they can. As simple as that! I know they'll love it once they try!
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?
- Yes I am. I want the best for these guys and now that their favourite (and healthiest) kibble is no longer available to me I have no choice but to make this switch. This was the push I needed to finally make the switch.
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?
- I have four wondrous kids, all male. The babies, Charlie and Jayden, are 10 months. Johnny is 3 years, Kyle is 5. Kyle has low blood glucose and a rat tail. Everyone else is in perfect health. I weigh them all every month and have weight charts for the last 3 years. All are in pristine condition! Well, Jayden is a tiny little fellow, but I don't believe he is underweight. I adopted Kyle when he was 6 months old, the rest I got when they were 8 weeks old.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
- Kibble and the last bag I can get of Wysong Archetypal I (which only Kyle won't eat). They are fed only Evo as it's the only grain free kibble I can find now that I can't order Wysong. They were on a mix of Wysong Epigen 90 and Evo.
Kyle and Johnny only get PureBites freeze dried chicken as treats even though they do like the Marshall treats. Jayden will only eat Marshall chicken and bacon treats. Charlie doesn't like hard treats. They all like Ferretone (50:50 tone and extra virgin olive oil) and Ferretvite (occasionally). I know it's bad, but they do get the occasional lick of ice cream. But I can't stress occasional any stronger. Johnny used to enjoy some cooked chicken when he was a kit, but not anymore.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I tried when they were young, they simply refused. I again tried yesterday by mixing ground meat with their kibble but no one even gave it a lick. I was able to get Charlie to swallow a tiny chunk of ground beef smothered in Ferretvite last night, I was so proud!
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
- I recently left my third year of University studying Wildlife Biology. I just wasn't enjoying the experience anymore. Animals have always been the most important aspect of my life and I will always strive to learn what is best for my four legged family. They are free roam, only locked in their bedroom overnight or when I am not home.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
- Basically unlimited!
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 (Rinrose) 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
- From my the owner of a horse stable who fed her 12 dogs a natural diet. I was convinced to make the switch for my pups and they have never been healthier. When adopting my first ferret I had intended to feed him raw but it just didn't work out at the time. I always knew kibble wasn't the ideal diet for any animal. After all, do we humans live off cereal?
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.
- Ideally I would love to feed whole prey (mice, rats, chicks, etc.) as my older boys LOVE getting live mice to catch and kill even though that's all they do with them. I will hopefully be feeding pre-killed prey as I hate watching the poor little guys get slaughtered by my boys. The squeaks are heart wrenching! I will settle for making my own diet though as that is what I have done for my dogs. Also I'd like to switch fully to raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
- I want my boys to live the healthiest and longest life they can. As simple as that! I know they'll love it once they try!
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?
- Yes I am. I want the best for these guys and now that their favourite (and healthiest) kibble is no longer available to me I have no choice but to make this switch. This was the push I needed to finally make the switch.
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?
- I have four wondrous kids, all male. The babies, Charlie and Jayden, are 10 months. Johnny is 3 years, Kyle is 5. Kyle has low blood glucose and a rat tail. Everyone else is in perfect health. I weigh them all every month and have weight charts for the last 3 years. All are in pristine condition! Well, Jayden is a tiny little fellow, but I don't believe he is underweight. I adopted Kyle when he was 6 months old, the rest I got when they were 8 weeks old.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
- Kibble and the last bag I can get of Wysong Archetypal I (which only Kyle won't eat). They are fed only Evo as it's the only grain free kibble I can find now that I can't order Wysong. They were on a mix of Wysong Epigen 90 and Evo.
Kyle and Johnny only get PureBites freeze dried chicken as treats even though they do like the Marshall treats. Jayden will only eat Marshall chicken and bacon treats. Charlie doesn't like hard treats. They all like Ferretone (50:50 tone and extra virgin olive oil) and Ferretvite (occasionally). I know it's bad, but they do get the occasional lick of ice cream. But I can't stress occasional any stronger. Johnny used to enjoy some cooked chicken when he was a kit, but not anymore.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I tried when they were young, they simply refused. I again tried yesterday by mixing ground meat with their kibble but no one even gave it a lick. I was able to get Charlie to swallow a tiny chunk of ground beef smothered in Ferretvite last night, I was so proud!
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
- I recently left my third year of University studying Wildlife Biology. I just wasn't enjoying the experience anymore. Animals have always been the most important aspect of my life and I will always strive to learn what is best for my four legged family. They are free roam, only locked in their bedroom overnight or when I am not home.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
- Basically unlimited!
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 (Rinrose) 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