Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 15:35:42 GMT -5
Name: Gabrielle
HF Forum Username: blacklily
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I learned about it in ferrets for dummies, and while surfing through ferret websites and your forum.
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 am definitely sure I want to go at least half raw. AT LEAST. I'm sure full raw is going to be best health for the babies and I want to get there. I'm very hesitant about live whole prey, but I think as I become more educated and use to feeding them meats ill open up and get over my own squirmishness with this! Again, whatever is best for the babies.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I myself am very into keeping myself well fed and use herbs, energy medicine, natural supplements, and whole foods to keep myself healthy, and don't see why my babies don't deserve exactly that same treatment. With ferrets being a breed of animal that tend to easily become ill, I want to offset any damages done by unnatural food processes and supplements to keep their toxins to a minimum and give them the happiest and healthiest lives they can have... For both their well beings and my entertainment
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?
My own healing took and is continuing to take a long time; if my health is important so is theirs... Yes, I'm ready for the commitment!
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 currently have 3 ferrets. Mortimer and Reginald are both males, and approximately 10 months old. They have no health issues except they tend towards loose stools. Both are large boys, but not overweight. I've had them for about 2 months now. Morticia is a female and 6 months old. I rescued her on Friday evening and came home with health issues. The vet diagnosed her with a case of clostridium and I've been nursing her back to health with antibiotics, bacterias, pedialite, soup. And lots of TLC all weekend. She is currently doing excellent and has gotten her stool firmer, is eating like a wild woman, and her energy is grand, I expect her to be next to perfect by the end of the week. Iv now had her... 3 days haha
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
My ferrets are kibble fed. The two boys have been eating ultimate 8 in 1 and since Friday iv been trying to get all three to eat Orijen kitten. Morticia has been eating it as a soup with some vet kitten foods, and is lapping it up but doesn't seem to like the kibble on its own. The boys didnt take to it at all either, and today I made a soup with it, pedialite, and a little bit of the vet wet food... They've taken to it a bit, but Mortimer had a small spit up after eating too much too fast. I'm keeping an eye on him today since that occurred...
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Iv given them egg yolks and chicken livers before. They enjoyed the egg but the liver they needed chopped up and mixed with ferevite, they didn't like it much otherwise.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I just became a member of this forum and don't have enough posts yet, but wanted to let you know I'm on it and eagerly look forward to getting well educated and committed in both this forum and with spreading this wisdom to my little fuzzies! Also, I only just obtained a scale and have not been able to decipher how much each ferret eat as of yet, but will be able to get a better idea soon.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Morticia :
Mortimer :
Reginald :
Morty and Reggy :
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes, I have bought a scale and have a number of places to locate meats - whole foods, local farms, costco, and I am a member of a dutch pennsylvania farm which delivers food weekly.