Mustelafuro's Switching Thread/Bitbyter

[Heather]

Name:
HF Forum Username:

1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I did a lot of research before getting a ferret and did feed raw with kibble until a vet instructed that I stop.

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 would like to get to the point to feed completely raw, but I don't think I could feed whole prey (it makes me sad)


3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I have done a lot of research and know that it is the best diet for them and I want my ferrets to be as healthy and happy as they can be.

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, definitely.

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?
Furo- 2 year old male, he has a sensitive stomach, it is a challenge to keep his stool solid. Healthy weight. I have had him since he was a month old.
Mustela(Stella)- 9 month old female, I think I would like her to have a bit more weight, but she is still a baby. I have had her for 7 months.

6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
They are on a few different kinds of kibble, Natures Variety Instinct Chicken, and EVO ferret food, and as a daily soup I soak wysong ferret epigen 90. As treats I use freeze dried liver, chicken and beef. They usually only get about 2 a day maximum(mostly for training).

7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I use to feed Furo raw meat every morning for his whole life, but recently I was told by a vet to stop.

8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Well I know Furo is going to take well to it, he eats whatever I give him, but Stella is going to be the challenge. It is sometimes hard to get her to eat the kibble, or treats.

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).
Furo is the light one, Stella the dark one.

Hi and welcome to the mentoring program (wave). In a little while your mentor (Bitbyter), 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 Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao

[bitbyter]

Hello! My name is Jason (or bitbyter if you prefer) and I will be your mentor here on the Holistic Ferret Forum during your ferrets switch to raw. I am looking forward to helping you and your fuzzies adjust to a better diet that will promote better health, more energy and decrease the risks of your ferret developing insulinoma (or help control their symptoms if they already have it).

Please confirm your have the following:
Kitchen Scale
Blender or Food Processor to make soup
Have located at least two different sources for raw organs
Cleaver or heavy knife capable of chopping through poultry bones
Coffee grinder to make egg shell powder or a source of human grade bone meal
Freezer space to store at least a weeks worth of meals

Please take the time to read the documents in the Intro To Raw section and ask about anything you don’t understand or need clarification on.

This is the recipe to use for the introductory Raw Soup.

Please make sure to report your ferrets food intake every two to three days (you can ask questions at anytime!). See the examples below for how I prefer to have you report their food intake

Monday:
Bonzo = 2 oz of chicken soup
Athena = 1.5 oz of chicken soup
Winston = 3 oz of chicken soup

Tuesday:
Bonzo = 2 oz of beef heart + 1 oz chicken liver
Athena = 1 oz of beef heart + 0.5 oz chicken liver
Winston = 1.5 oz of beef heart + 1 oz chicken liver

Weights NEED to be reported weekly in lbs & oz (preferably the same day every week). Please just build on previous reported weights so that it is easy to see any changes in weight.

Weights:
Bonzo = 2 lbs 1 oz / 2 lbs 2 oz / 2 lbs 2 oz / etc
Athena = 1 lbs 10 oz / 1 lbs 9 oz / 1 lbs 9 oz / etc
Winston = 1 lbs 8 oz / 1lbs 9 oz / 1 lbs 10 oz / etc

[Deleted]

Hello there! My name is Marisa. I do have all of those things, I am still looking for hearts however, but I do have taurine powder. So here is where I am at:
I tried to do the switch on my own, but to no prevail. Furo eats anything I give him, but Stella won't even try it. She is amazingly stubborn and I worry about taking away the kibble because she is so small. I tried the scruff and stuff but she keeps spitting it out no matter how long I try. So I guess that's a good starting point!

[bitbyter]

ok so lets start this at the very beginning then. Make up a batch of soup and then pull their kibble for about 4 hours. At the end of the 4 hours, wake them up and have a really intense playtime. Towel rides, chasing, teaser toys. Get them really worked up and spending energy. Then take a small bowl of soup and grab Stella every few minuets and dab some on her nose / wipe it on her lips. Her instinct will be to lick it off. If she just tries to wipe it off on something then hold her so she can't. Once you've done this for an hour or so, give them back the kibble.

Do the above for a few days and then instead of the dabbing, try finger feeding Stella. Make sure you do this where you want their regular feeding spot to be. In the early stages you want to establish what is "normal" for this new feeding routine and try not to deviate from it. You can also use a squeaky toy or bell to indicate when it is meal time (they'll quickly learn what it means).

[Deleted]

I can do that! Should I have two feeding times? They usually get out in the morning and at night. I can start the feeding tonight. Also since Furo will eat the meat just fine are two feeding times enough to sustain him or should I provide him access to the soup at all times? Also on that note how long can the soup be safely left in the cage? While I am on here are starting pictures and weights.
Stella= 1 lbs / 10 oz
Furo= 2 lbs / 8 oz
Stella is the Sable on top

[bitbyter]

At this point I think we should just try getting Stella to eat the soup. Once she is at that point we can move them along at the same pace. Trying to do them separately is often difficult. Soup can be left for about 6 hours max.

[Deleted]

I also have a question, I feed freeze dried beef liver as a treat, but I worry about them getting to much. Should I limit how much they get or discontinue using it?

Feeding update:
Stella- still working on getting her to try to soup, she will lick some off her nose, but I suspect it's only because she gets put down if she does.
Furo- I let him nibble on the soup for a bit during playtime, probably about 1oz a day. (1/2oz at morning/1/2oz at night)

[bitbyter]

as for the freeze dried liver treats, as long as it is only once or twice a week it shouldn't be an issue. Once they are fully on a raw diet they won't really need it though.

Keep working on Stella, every day for an hour or so. Then when you think she is ready, pull the kibble for about 4 hours and then try finger feeding her.

[bitbyter]

You haven't posted in the last three days. Please try to post at least every three days as I need to know how things are progressing.

[bitbyter]

It has not been 5 days since your last post. I can't help with your switch if you don't post. I'll give you until early next week and then I'm going to lock the thread. We have to many other people waiting for assistance.