Post by Heather on Jul 6, 2013 10:11:46 GMT -5
Name:
HF Forum Username:
Lindsey Tootle
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
From the director of the rescue where I adopted 4 ferrets and one accepted caring for a foster. I also own a privately bred 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.
Since I have been feeding raw for 9 months I would love to feed just whole prey. However, I am not sure it is something I can afford. I would like to get away from commercial frozen raw due to the high cost. So I suppose I would like to feed frankenprey during the week and prey on the weekend. I am trying to find a local raw co-op that I might can take advantage of for prey and raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I believe that feeding a species appropriate diet is the only food to offer animals. I also believe it aids in warding off common diseases in animals/ferrets. Kibble is poop! It is not food!
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.
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?
Freeman, age 5 yrs in August, hob, mast cell tumor on back of neck, weight is wonderful, owned for 5 years. Eats commercial frozen raw (a pig).
Joy, 2 years old, jill, no known health issues, no weight problems, owned one year.
Penny, 2 years old, jill, no known health issues, skinny girl,owned one year. (picky about raw)
Love Bug, 1 years old, jill, Waardie, nice weight, (LOVES raw and commercial frozen raw)
The above ferrets are rescues and all are Marshall Farm ferrets.
Sophia is 14 months old, jill, not spayed, no known health issues, medium build, owned one year, from Quantum Leap Ferretry, Peter Pan X Heartless = Sophia! Sophia adores raw, iffy about commercial frozen raw.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Frankenprey and commercial frozen raw.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
no
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
everyday. I would like to mention that I am a professional nanny. I work long hours, a single mom to an 11 year old with severe emotional problems that were diagnosed in March. My ex is a jack butt. He stresses me out. My elderly mother lives a couple miles away and my older sister has cerebral palsy and lives with mom. I am the only daughter here to care for them both. I have not applied for a mentor here as I saw the "paper work" required and due to my heavy responsibilities to family, work and daughter was scared I could not fulfill the requirements. Still am.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbyter) 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 (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username:
Lindsey Tootle
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
From the director of the rescue where I adopted 4 ferrets and one accepted caring for a foster. I also own a privately bred 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.
Since I have been feeding raw for 9 months I would love to feed just whole prey. However, I am not sure it is something I can afford. I would like to get away from commercial frozen raw due to the high cost. So I suppose I would like to feed frankenprey during the week and prey on the weekend. I am trying to find a local raw co-op that I might can take advantage of for prey and raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I believe that feeding a species appropriate diet is the only food to offer animals. I also believe it aids in warding off common diseases in animals/ferrets. Kibble is poop! It is not food!
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.
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?
Freeman, age 5 yrs in August, hob, mast cell tumor on back of neck, weight is wonderful, owned for 5 years. Eats commercial frozen raw (a pig).
Joy, 2 years old, jill, no known health issues, no weight problems, owned one year.
Penny, 2 years old, jill, no known health issues, skinny girl,owned one year. (picky about raw)
Love Bug, 1 years old, jill, Waardie, nice weight, (LOVES raw and commercial frozen raw)
The above ferrets are rescues and all are Marshall Farm ferrets.
Sophia is 14 months old, jill, not spayed, no known health issues, medium build, owned one year, from Quantum Leap Ferretry, Peter Pan X Heartless = Sophia! Sophia adores raw, iffy about commercial frozen raw.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Frankenprey and commercial frozen raw.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
no
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
everyday. I would like to mention that I am a professional nanny. I work long hours, a single mom to an 11 year old with severe emotional problems that were diagnosed in March. My ex is a jack butt. He stresses me out. My elderly mother lives a couple miles away and my older sister has cerebral palsy and lives with mom. I am the only daughter here to care for them both. I have not applied for a mentor here as I saw the "paper work" required and due to my heavy responsibilities to family, work and daughter was scared I could not fulfill the requirements. Still am.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbyter) 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 (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
They need to learn that what is available is what they get. Sometimes this means three or four days of only bone in (or whatever they are holding out on) so that they get hungry enough and don't have a choice. Organs are difficult so most people incorporate that into a soup and give them their weekly organ amounts that way. Things are going to be a little harder now that Freeman has Insolinoma. Also, "to just feed her raw? 3 sources plus bone" 3 sources + and bone in, organs, boneless, etc are over a week, not in one day.