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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2013 11:30:40 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, We like to provide our fur-babies with the best possible quality of life, so we tend to research before we take on any new pets. We hope that the forum members and mentors can help us through our ferrenting so that we do this right. The main reason we joined your forum is because we want to learn about the Raw Food and Whole Prey diet. I have my own dietary restrictions (Celiac/Gluten Free), so having to make meal plans and follow a specific diet for the ferrets won't be anything different from what I do for myself already. I'm not squeamish so I definitely want to feed mice, rats, rabbits, etc. I'm hoping that I can get a mentor to learn about this diet before we get the ferrets so that we're ready to rock and roll when we bring them home. More about us... We fell in love with Ferrets at our local Petco, but we don't buy animals. All of our pets (since we were kids), were rescues and so we've decided to continue this tradition and adopt our ferrets from a rescue. Next weekend, my husband and I are starting ferret care lessons at a ferret rescue with the intent to adopt two cuties upon graduation. We are both sci-fi nerds and computer geeks (based on some of the ferret names we've read on the forums, we know we have some like-minded folks on this board...Firefly, Doctor Who, etc.... we LOVE your ferret names). We currently have two dogs and a bunch of fish. We live on a beautiful 4 acre property in upstate New York. We love where we live because we have orchards and forms nearby, as well as plenty of space for our fur-babies to run. This is Shawn, me and one of our dogs, Maddy. We were hiking at a local island. Our other dog, Lisa, just had a tumor removed from her leg, so she is not able to be out and about. Don't worry though, she's healing nicely and will be back to her former self very soon. This is our backyard. This picture is from summer. Right now it is covered in leaves - thank you Fall Foliage. We look forward to meeting everyone and talking with you soon
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Post by Sherry on Oct 14, 2013 13:12:47 GMT -5
Hello, and welcome Lovely place, and gorgeous pups! Please feel free to browse, post, ask questions, etc. Unfortunately the mentoring program is for once you have the ferrets, as it has to be very hands on and taken step by step. But please read through some of the switching threads to get some ideas. You can't post to those but they will give you ideas.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2013 14:38:52 GMT -5
Oh Thanks Sherry! I will read the switching threads to better prepare myself. The woman who runs the rescue uses the classes to determine the best match of ferrets to parents, so by the time we are ready to take them home, we will know all about our babies - what they eat, how much, weight, etc.
I was just wondering. I haven't found this answer yet, but if it is already in a thread, I'm sorry for re-asking. Is the use of soup, then slivers, then chunks, then eventually graduation to whole pray based on a ferrets age, jaw strength, or is that just the regime for getting them ready to eat a fully raw diet?
Many of the ferrets for adoption are adults 4+ years, and so I was wondering if they would start right away on larger chunks as adults or if all ferrets must start on the soup. We have all of the equipment necessary to do any level of meat (even a cleaver!), but I wasn't sure about the rules of progression.
I'll start reaching out to butchers, etc to find out about available organ meat locally. I know I can get muscle meat at the grocery store and I've found a few websites where I can order BARF or even hearts, necks, etc. I'd just prefer to get things locally, rather than worry about having them shipped.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 14, 2013 18:01:04 GMT -5
It all depends on the ferret. They tend to imprint strongly on their food and most often refuse to recognize another AS food. However I have had older ferrets come in and pick right up on chunks day one(twice in 6 years), and young ferrets spit, retch, twist, and gag at the slightest taste of soup, We start those ones off on a soup simply because it's the easiest way to get them tasting it. Odds of having them come in, and actually eat chunks aren 't very high
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Post by Heather on Oct 14, 2013 18:07:23 GMT -5
Hi and welcome on board (wave) Progression through the raw feeding journey (and it is a journey) are totally dependent on the ferret(s) involved and their human slaves. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. I've had 7 yr old ferret who've switched in a weekend and a 3 yr old that took me 6 months. The oldest I've ever switched was 9 yr old Babushka. I like going in thinking it's going to be difficult that way it never comes as too much of a shock when they dig in their heels lol. The fastest switch was a baby farm ferret who was eating raw before we got him through check out at the pet store ciao
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2013 14:29:22 GMT -5
Awesome Awesome info! Thanks so much. So just like people! And I absolutely love how you guys write about the ferrets owning the humans. I am a slave to my pets. We treat our babies like they are our... well... babies. I can't think of a better way to describe it. So switching is based on the diligence of the human. Basically, it will work eventually as long as I don't give up. Another question. Boys -vs- Girls? I'm not particular on any gender but I was wondering what you have experienced? Do you see any trends in personality traits with one gender over another (aggression, learning, snuggles)? This is the available ferrets at the shelter I'm going to and I have one major problem. Only two will come home with me. How am I going to choose!?!?! www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=MA111Sorry if I'm bugging you guys. Think of me as an enormous ferret (dance). I'm full of curiosity.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 15, 2013 21:26:05 GMT -5
Hey- "bug" us all you want! That's why we're here Boys vs girls. Any ferret(almost) under 3 yrs if age is way too busy for snuggles. Places to go, things to sniff after that is when the snugglers come out. Generally boys are more laid back than girls and as a result more snuggly. A couple of ours are opposite. When our Lucrezia lost friend after friend she drew closer and closer to us. Now every day she NEEDS her cuddles. That is something else to keep in mind- ferrets bond so strongly both to each other and to their humans that they can go into shock when separated. So if you DO get ferrets it needs to be a life long commitment.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 10:30:06 GMT -5
So excited. I ordered the FN 182 with the covers accessory pack (not that nifty with a sewing machine yet). I also ordered the Marshall 11 panel playpen since my office is not 100% safe due to computer wires and cables. I'm drawing up designs for a remote litter box and remote feeding den, as well as my dig box. I contacted Midwest Homes for Pets to see if I can get an additional Middle Panel Grid for the enclosure. I'm thinking that I can use that as the bottom of the cage and retrofit the opening with a hose connector going to the Remote Litter Box in the storage space below the cage. Also, if I can get an additional side panel from them, I won't feel so bad about cutting into one to add a custom hose connector leading to a feeding den. I looked at all of the wonderful modifications posted but neither my husband or I are all that good at working with wood. I'd be too worried about not putting it together properly and it falling apart. However, I also agree with the folks who don't want to destroy the integrity of the cage itself. So I'll only be able to do these modifications if Midwest will let me get the extra panels. The lady at the ferret rescue said that Saturday is her grooming day for the babies so we'll be helping her with bathing, nails, ears, etc for all 10 of her current tenants. I'm literally bursting with excitement. Each day we're one step closer to getting our new munchkins. Have any of you tried using pet water fountains with your ferrets? I found one that is stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and the wire is hidden and out through the bottom. I figure I can cut a small hole in the base pan and cover to feed the wire through so it remains hidden, and also use the area to hook the fountain to the cage so they can't dump it (although I suspect this one might be a little to heavy for them to knock over. Then again, if they all team up together, who knows.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 16, 2013 11:44:18 GMT -5
Some are successful. I have far too many who believe water should be freed from it's prison at all costs
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 12:38:08 GMT -5
So I just got an interesting update. For those (like me) who are paranoid about cutting the wires on their FN walls to put in remote boxes, there may be a way to buy just the replacement panels. I just talked to someone at Midwest Customer Service. While they don't normally sell the wire panels individually, if they had to break down a cage for some reason or another (warranty or return or something), they may have the parts on hand, at which time they will sell them. So if anyone is interested they should go to www.midwesthomes4pets.com/ and call the number for customer service. They're checking the warehouse for the two panels I asked about and are going to call me back. I will keep you posted (giggle)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 12:40:47 GMT -5
Some are successful. I have far too many who believe water should be freed from it's prison at all costs HAHAHAHA that is awesome! Do yours just dump it over or do they splash it out? I was thinking that it might also serve as entertainment value. Splashing around in a fountain seems like fun to me. I have a dryer so no harm, no foul if they do free their water. The cage will be about 5 steps away from a bathroom as well so always an available sink to refill.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2013 16:48:16 GMT -5
Hi and Welcome to the HFF! Your home is lovely, and I think whoever goes home with you, are going to be lucky little ones. I love reading your questions, knowing that your doing your homework and getting all excited over ferrenthood. Ferrets are honestly, the most fun I've ever had. They are an endless source of wonder and love. All of mine have just adored water. I keep little pails and beach toys in the tubs, change the water twice a day and love to sit and watch them play in the tub, climb thru the towels folded over the edges and splash under the running water. When you shop for ferret stuff, you'll find they have water bowls just for ferrets, that are weighted. My Ponce and my Juliet both love (d) to push the water bowl around, and I actually use a heavy duty Waterford crystal champagne cooler as a water bowl. It's the only bowl that no one can push around.
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Post by Heather on Oct 16, 2013 21:47:32 GMT -5
Playing in water fountains, is just the primary mess. Disassembling the fountain is the major issue and all the funky rubber components that help it run and function. Some ferrets are very happy just to allow the fountain to be what it is but as Sherry mentioned, releasing the water and allowing it to roam free is the issue. Fountains require a certain amount of water to function and not overheat.....unfortunately, once the ferret releases all the water the fountains often self destruct if they don't get taken apart. ciao
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Post by Sherry on Oct 16, 2013 23:49:39 GMT -5
Playing in, and actively digging out every last drop, lol.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2013 8:40:45 GMT -5
Hi to all of the new names! Nice to meet you all. Poncesmom, thank you for the kind words. Heather, allow me to ease your mind a little by providing a tidbit more insight (i.e. long post - I'm a talker) into my pet parenting. My Celiac Disease really prevents me from being too much of a social butterfly. I can't eat food that I don't prepare and I'm allergic to alcohol so restaurants, and bars are out. When I eat food, even if I do cook it myself, it doesn't tend to agree with me. It doesn't prevent me from functioning, but it does put a damper on travel and socialization (think permanent heartburn and indigestion). My husband and I bought our home two years ago and it is a two hour drive from where I'm originally from. Trying to get together with my friends from home happens very infrequently due to the distance and scheduling conflicts. The friends I've made at our new home are all having babies and don't really have much time to spend with me. My husband is a huge sports enthusiast and is on many teams. After work he does Bowling League, Softball League (spring and fall) and Golf League, so I spend a lot of time at home, alone, with my fuzzed ones. I don't mind it really since I love animals of all types. My desire to be owned by ferrets is because I want more companions at home. The more the merrier. I'm literally home about 20 hours a day. The only times I go out are to go to the gym and to buy groceries. No joke, I don't even leave to go to work. I work in a virtual office. My company is global but almost all of the employees work from home. So, we're setting up the ferret cage in my home office (I know *cringe* cables, and cords and equipment, oh my!). We're taking as many safety precautions as we can to ferret proof, but we understand that in an office 100% is not possible. We'll have a Marshall Playpen full of goodies for them attached to the cage, and they'll be out of their cages for 8+ hours a day. I believe that my proximity will allow me to keep an eye on them and thus would allow me to monitor for chewing and dumping of the fountain, as well as allow me to prevent the fountain from running dry (I'm a little OCD when it comes to stuff like that. My dogs' bowls never get lower than half full). I've had several pet fountains in the course of my life and I never leave them plugged in when I'm not home. It just isn't safe. But while I'm home, they can romp and splash all they want. Heather, to your point, I'll have to check on the plastic and/or rubber pieces when the fountain arrives. It is supposed to be primarily stainless steel so hopefully those are at a minimum and the ferrets ignore them. I'm hoping the splashing streams of water will distract them? Worst case scenario is that the Ferrets try to chew and I end up giving the fountain to my dogs and put in a lock crock water bowl instead. But I have to try. On a funny note, all along, I planned for two ferrets. My husband wasn't that jazzed when I first mentioned it to him, but after meeting the ones at Petco and him seeing that they are not just large rats who sit in cages all day, he's been warming up to them quite quickly. He's just as gung-ho about our care training as I am, but I was still surprised about what he said to me last night. Out of the blue, my husband says, "you know, three would probably be better, in case one wants to play and the other doesn't, a third would be able to help out in that regard." So, it looks like we're now aiming for three little ones. (dance) (bounce)
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