Post by Heather on Feb 26, 2014 22:15:00 GMT -5
Name: Kendra
HF Forum Username: finleytheferret
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Mostly from the Youtube ferret community and also from my Ferrets for Dummies book.
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 looking for whatever is best for my ferrets. The ONLY thing I'm not looking to do is live prey. I am open to feeding whole prey (frozen-thawed), but if I do this I will have be eased into it as I am going to have to get used to the whole idea/process, but I'm not completely ruling it out, as I know it is quite beneficial to my fuzzies' diets. I think for starting out, it will be best for me to just to raw meats/organs, etc. Maybe after I get this going I can try some whole prey. Ideally, I'd like to switch my fuzzies completely over to a raw diet over time (i.e. no kibble).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I've done my research and I know very well that kibble is simply not the ideal diet for ferrets. I also have a deep fear of losing them to one of the many ferret diseases that are so common, particularly among kibble-fed ferrets, and I'd like to reduce this risk as much as possible. I am all for doing what's best for them, and the time/money is not going to be an issue for me, as once I commit to something, I tend to go all or nothing lol.
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?
Absolutely. I have no major life changes in the near future. I recently graduated from college with my bachelors degree (woohoo!) and now work from home full-time. So I am at home almost all the time and have very much time available to make this switch. I have a 2-year old daughter, and when she was just starting solids I used to make all of her baby food from scratch with a baby bullet (which I still have if I need it for this!) so I am familiar with some of the blending/freezing processes already. I'm not afraid of a good 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 2 fuzzies. Finley is almost 1 year old and is a male. Oliver is about 6 months old and is also a male. Neither have any known health problems. Finley weighs 1lb 12oz, Oliver weighs 3lbs 5oz, and Cooper (my kit) weighs 15oz (about a lb). I've had Finley for about 6 months and have had Oliver for 3.
UPDATE:
Since applying I have acquired another ferret. He is a 3 month old male, and I added a picture of him below (he's tiny). No name yet either lol.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They are currently eating Nature's Variety Instinct Raw (the duck meal one). I try to let them taste the soup I made every day, but most days they don't really eat much of it.
They do eat treats semi-regularly. They eat N-bones mostly as a treat. The only other thing they take is ferretone (not often, mostly for cutting nails or for a treat here and there). They probably get ferretone once a week, maybe.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I am currently working on letting them try some soupies I made and froze in icecube trays. Finley is interested and laps some up, but Oliver acts like I'm trying to poison him if I make him try. He's not interested at all.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Not sure if this will factor in, but neither of my fuzzies are litter trained yet (though I am trying lol) and are both free roam (confined to one or two rooms generally). They go in their cage at night to sleep or if we leave the house.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Always
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
First picture is Oliver (the silver) and Finley (sable). Oliver is chubby and wide, low to the ground. Finley is long and a bit skinnier/more narrow.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbiter), will introduce himself 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.
ciao
HF Forum Username: finleytheferret
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Mostly from the Youtube ferret community and also from my Ferrets for Dummies book.
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 looking for whatever is best for my ferrets. The ONLY thing I'm not looking to do is live prey. I am open to feeding whole prey (frozen-thawed), but if I do this I will have be eased into it as I am going to have to get used to the whole idea/process, but I'm not completely ruling it out, as I know it is quite beneficial to my fuzzies' diets. I think for starting out, it will be best for me to just to raw meats/organs, etc. Maybe after I get this going I can try some whole prey. Ideally, I'd like to switch my fuzzies completely over to a raw diet over time (i.e. no kibble).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I've done my research and I know very well that kibble is simply not the ideal diet for ferrets. I also have a deep fear of losing them to one of the many ferret diseases that are so common, particularly among kibble-fed ferrets, and I'd like to reduce this risk as much as possible. I am all for doing what's best for them, and the time/money is not going to be an issue for me, as once I commit to something, I tend to go all or nothing lol.
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?
Absolutely. I have no major life changes in the near future. I recently graduated from college with my bachelors degree (woohoo!) and now work from home full-time. So I am at home almost all the time and have very much time available to make this switch. I have a 2-year old daughter, and when she was just starting solids I used to make all of her baby food from scratch with a baby bullet (which I still have if I need it for this!) so I am familiar with some of the blending/freezing processes already. I'm not afraid of a good 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 2 fuzzies. Finley is almost 1 year old and is a male. Oliver is about 6 months old and is also a male. Neither have any known health problems. Finley weighs 1lb 12oz, Oliver weighs 3lbs 5oz, and Cooper (my kit) weighs 15oz (about a lb). I've had Finley for about 6 months and have had Oliver for 3.
UPDATE:
Since applying I have acquired another ferret. He is a 3 month old male, and I added a picture of him below (he's tiny). No name yet either lol.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They are currently eating Nature's Variety Instinct Raw (the duck meal one). I try to let them taste the soup I made every day, but most days they don't really eat much of it.
They do eat treats semi-regularly. They eat N-bones mostly as a treat. The only other thing they take is ferretone (not often, mostly for cutting nails or for a treat here and there). They probably get ferretone once a week, maybe.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I am currently working on letting them try some soupies I made and froze in icecube trays. Finley is interested and laps some up, but Oliver acts like I'm trying to poison him if I make him try. He's not interested at all.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Not sure if this will factor in, but neither of my fuzzies are litter trained yet (though I am trying lol) and are both free roam (confined to one or two rooms generally). They go in their cage at night to sleep or if we leave the house.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Always
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
First picture is Oliver (the silver) and Finley (sable). Oliver is chubby and wide, low to the ground. Finley is long and a bit skinnier/more narrow.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbiter), will introduce himself 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.
ciao