Post by Heather on Dec 20, 2013 12:02:06 GMT -5
Name: Zelda
HF Forum Username:
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Years ago I heard that ferrets should eat raw.
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 think a frankenprey diet would be the best for us. I doubt if I could feed them a whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Because that is the right food they should be eating. After I saw the before raw and the after raw pictures I couldn’t believe how much healthier the ferrets were looking. There is just so many illness that they can get and is raw feeding is a way to help them stay healthy then I feel that is what I should do for my fertkids.
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 do understand it will take a while for some of them. I am hoping however once they see the others eating the good stuff it will help them along with the switch. If we need babysteps for a while that is fine. I want them to learn at their own pace.
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 7 right now. We recently lost 1 because of health issues.
George: 6 ½ yrs (about), male, insulinomia, adrenal (had a DES implant 11-14-1013). I think he could gain a little weight. We’ve had him 4 yrs.
Miko: 4 yrs (about), male, possibly adrenal ( I see signs of it, had a DES implant 11-14-2013. ) I think his weight is good. We’ve had him 2 yrs.
Lulu: 2 – 3 yrs (about), female, borderline insulinoma. I think she could gain some weight. We’ve had her 9 months. * Was diagnosed with insulinoma on 12-17-13. *
Penelope: 2 -3 yrs (about), female, possibly adrenal cause of what her hair feel like. I think she could gain weight. We have had her 9 months. She is also deaf.
Cocobean: 2 yrs (about), male, no known medical issues. He is a big boy but I think his weight is healthy. We’ve had him almost 2 months.
Emmett: 1 ½ yrs, (about) male, had been treated for an ulcer and blood sugar issues before we got him (no meds). He could probably lose a little. We’ve had him almost 2 months.
Mikah: 2 yrs (about), female, no known medical issues. She could gain a little I think. We have had her almost 2 months.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Kibbles: Wysong Epigen 90, Wellness CORES. George and Miko eat Arch 1 and boiled chicken (like baby food) and I’m not sure how much kibble. Penelope does just started eating the Arch 1 and the kibbles. Lulu started licking the Arch 1 and kibbles. Emmett eats the kibble, likes eggs (only gave eggs to him once) and likes raw chicken (I gave him 3 little slivers once). Mikah and Cocobean eat the kibbles. George, Miko and Penelope ocassionly get salmon oil, Lulu don’t want nothing to do with it. I am not sure about Coco, Emmett & Mikah with the salmon oil. When they get the nails cut I sometimes smear Ferretvite on a dish so they are still. I just started (not all the time) coating the kibble with Pet G.O. I used to mix it with the Arch 1 but recently stopped. Once in a while I try to sneak in other FD meats, turkey, lamb and beef. Penelope, Miko and sometimes Lulu get a hold of the cat food which is Fromms brand (not much of it).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not raw, just freeze dried and the boiled chicken mush I make. It took George and Miko a while to eat it. Penelope needs coaxing with a spoon and then will eat from a dish. Lulu is still licking. Emmett has no problem with eggs and raw chicken. Coco and Mikah want nothing to do with any of it.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I got my 1st ferret in about ’98 and have them ever since. They are basically ferrets nobody wanted anymore. They are all Marshalls except for Penelope; we think she may be a Path Valley.
As for me: I own a dog treat business. So I am very aware of the crap the stores sell. All the ingredients and meat I use are all human grade. I can get the meats I need to use without a problem. I am excited, nervous and a little bit scared. The only thing I worry about is if they start choking. (And that I remember to post when I should.)
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Will try…
Coco, taken 11-20-13
Emmett, taken 11- 20- 13
Lulu (dark) & Penelope (light), taken 6 -30- 2013
Mikah, taken 11- 20-13
Miko (dark) & George (light) taken 11- 20- 13
Pictures are in the order listed
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes I do except for a cleaver. I have access to beef, chicken, lamb – meat and organs. Turkey meat- not sure about the organs. I will not do tongue cause I can’t touch it. There are Asian stores in the area that I should be able to get quail and that stuff from also.
Please let me know if I forgot anything else.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave) . In a little while your mentor (Goingpostal) 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. 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. Please to make your experience as beneficial to you and your ferrets you must report regularly, even if it's just to say there is nothing new occurring. If you do not report in, in a regular and timely fashion your space will be offered to the next applicant and you will be dismissed from the program.
ciao
HF Forum Username:
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Years ago I heard that ferrets should eat raw.
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 think a frankenprey diet would be the best for us. I doubt if I could feed them a whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Because that is the right food they should be eating. After I saw the before raw and the after raw pictures I couldn’t believe how much healthier the ferrets were looking. There is just so many illness that they can get and is raw feeding is a way to help them stay healthy then I feel that is what I should do for my fertkids.
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 do understand it will take a while for some of them. I am hoping however once they see the others eating the good stuff it will help them along with the switch. If we need babysteps for a while that is fine. I want them to learn at their own pace.
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 7 right now. We recently lost 1 because of health issues.
George: 6 ½ yrs (about), male, insulinomia, adrenal (had a DES implant 11-14-1013). I think he could gain a little weight. We’ve had him 4 yrs.
Miko: 4 yrs (about), male, possibly adrenal ( I see signs of it, had a DES implant 11-14-2013. ) I think his weight is good. We’ve had him 2 yrs.
Lulu: 2 – 3 yrs (about), female, borderline insulinoma. I think she could gain some weight. We’ve had her 9 months. * Was diagnosed with insulinoma on 12-17-13. *
Penelope: 2 -3 yrs (about), female, possibly adrenal cause of what her hair feel like. I think she could gain weight. We have had her 9 months. She is also deaf.
Cocobean: 2 yrs (about), male, no known medical issues. He is a big boy but I think his weight is healthy. We’ve had him almost 2 months.
Emmett: 1 ½ yrs, (about) male, had been treated for an ulcer and blood sugar issues before we got him (no meds). He could probably lose a little. We’ve had him almost 2 months.
Mikah: 2 yrs (about), female, no known medical issues. She could gain a little I think. We have had her almost 2 months.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Kibbles: Wysong Epigen 90, Wellness CORES. George and Miko eat Arch 1 and boiled chicken (like baby food) and I’m not sure how much kibble. Penelope does just started eating the Arch 1 and the kibbles. Lulu started licking the Arch 1 and kibbles. Emmett eats the kibble, likes eggs (only gave eggs to him once) and likes raw chicken (I gave him 3 little slivers once). Mikah and Cocobean eat the kibbles. George, Miko and Penelope ocassionly get salmon oil, Lulu don’t want nothing to do with it. I am not sure about Coco, Emmett & Mikah with the salmon oil. When they get the nails cut I sometimes smear Ferretvite on a dish so they are still. I just started (not all the time) coating the kibble with Pet G.O. I used to mix it with the Arch 1 but recently stopped. Once in a while I try to sneak in other FD meats, turkey, lamb and beef. Penelope, Miko and sometimes Lulu get a hold of the cat food which is Fromms brand (not much of it).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not raw, just freeze dried and the boiled chicken mush I make. It took George and Miko a while to eat it. Penelope needs coaxing with a spoon and then will eat from a dish. Lulu is still licking. Emmett has no problem with eggs and raw chicken. Coco and Mikah want nothing to do with any of it.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I got my 1st ferret in about ’98 and have them ever since. They are basically ferrets nobody wanted anymore. They are all Marshalls except for Penelope; we think she may be a Path Valley.
As for me: I own a dog treat business. So I am very aware of the crap the stores sell. All the ingredients and meat I use are all human grade. I can get the meats I need to use without a problem. I am excited, nervous and a little bit scared. The only thing I worry about is if they start choking. (And that I remember to post when I should.)
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Will try…
Coco, taken 11-20-13
Emmett, taken 11- 20- 13
Lulu (dark) & Penelope (light), taken 6 -30- 2013
Mikah, taken 11- 20-13
Miko (dark) & George (light) taken 11- 20- 13
Pictures are in the order listed
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes I do except for a cleaver. I have access to beef, chicken, lamb – meat and organs. Turkey meat- not sure about the organs. I will not do tongue cause I can’t touch it. There are Asian stores in the area that I should be able to get quail and that stuff from also.
Please let me know if I forgot anything else.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave) . In a little while your mentor (Goingpostal) 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. 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. Please to make your experience as beneficial to you and your ferrets you must report regularly, even if it's just to say there is nothing new occurring. If you do not report in, in a regular and timely fashion your space will be offered to the next applicant and you will be dismissed from the program.
ciao