|
Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2014 13:36:31 GMT -5
Hi All! I signed up for a mentor, but as we all wait I decided to start a thread here. Any advice, encouragement, your experiences; I could use any and all! So, I made a raw soupie on Saturday (July 19) and Zekrom & Elvyra took to it no problem! I tried to get Pepper to eat some (she dove in when I first tried last month) but she would lick my finger and run off? Better than nothing I suppose Reshiram, god love that chunky butt! He 'seems' like he wants to please everyone who crosses his path. He tried, I could tell he didn't want to eat any of it, but sat with me. I think I got soup all over his chin and my legs but he did get a taste...and then rubbed his face on the carpet for 5 minutes! Zoey, my sweet baby princess, turned 3 years old on Thursday (july 17) and she's been doing great! Some of you might remember I posted (excited and nervous thread) that Zoey was diagnosed with adrenal disease back in May. She's been very kissy ever since she got her implant (I like to think of it as she knows I want to best for her and she appreciates her Momma!) but she still does not want to try anything new. So, as Zekrom was chowing down and the other 3 were being crazy, Zoey was sleeping in the hammock....on her back.....with her face exposed..... So I dabbed my finger in the soup and placed my finger to her mouth; lick, lick, lick! I couldn't believe it! So I dabbed more soup and Zoey licked my finger clean again! And cleaned it a third time! I'm so excited I start tearing up I go to get more soup but as I turn around Zoey hops out of the hammock. I tell her she's a good girl and put my finger to her mouth; spit and instant rubbing on the carpet. I guess she has to be half asleep to eat raw BUT, it's better than anything I've tried before..... So that was Saturday; Sunday was similar but Zoey was awake and couldn't get her to lick her lips. Zekrom and Elvyra has most of the plate; Pepper and Reshiram 'did their own thing' and I could only grab and dab a couple times. Same experience last night (monday). All in all, I'm pleased! Zekrom will be 3 years old in October and Elvyra just turned 1 year old June 30th. I know I can get Pepper and Reshiram on board, just have to keep at it! I think if Zoey can taste the soup in her sleep, it may help? I know she will be my most stubborn, but she also needs this the most! Oh, the soup is made up of chicken thigh(just meat), chicken heart, liver, and gizzard. The next batch I make, I'm going to add an egg and some egg shell too. So, this is where we're at...I'm pumped! And I'm determined to get my kids all raw!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2014 8:13:56 GMT -5
We had another successful night! My lovey Zekrom tried to eat the soup cold and without any water added! (I wasn't sure if he could get brain freeze? Or an upset tummy from it being so cold to I did add warm water) He couldn't get enough! PLUS, there were some little chunks (gizzard or heart) and he was chewing on those too! Absolutely incredible! Elvyra shared the soupie with him and did her usual licks from the bowl for a few minutes and then grab a mouthful to take under the couch I was able to 'stuff and scruff' Reshiram and Zoey (I dabbed my finger and scooped them up and kept my finger to their mouth until they would lick). Zoey actually would lick my finger clean, but wouldn't accept it from the bowl or if I wasn't holding her. But I think that's great progress with the finicky princess! Reshiram would lick my finger, but struggle to get out of my arms. Sweet little Pepper was super sleepy last night so she was the last one I would grab and stuff. She tolerated it but really just wanted to play. I filled the bowl 3 times (about 2 tbsp of soupie each time plus warm water to make it soupie) and Zekrom ate from the bowl every time! I don't know if he didn't eat any kibble yesterday or was just loving the raw! I noticed there was a decent amount of 'soft' poop in the litter box; not 100% sure who it's from. (just wanted to note the poops; I am not concerned though) I am wondering, incase Zekrom is not eating kibble, should I be doing anything different? We (my husband and I) are gone from 7am to around 5pm...should I leave some soup in the cage during the day? Or could that 'hurt' him if he is still eating kibble? I hope this is making sense; I'm just typing as I think
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Jul 24, 2014 8:15:24 GMT -5
If he is eating the soup with such gusto let him have it. He will ignore the kibble in favour of the raw Also try him on some meat slivers alone and see if he will take them. It sounds like the others are doing very well also!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 13:02:29 GMT -5
Thanks Sherry! Zekrom did beautifully once again! I really need to video him eating; the sweet sounds and the joyous look on his face...ah! Love these babies! The others did better last night too! Elvyra 'tried' to share with Zekrom, but she let him get his fill before she dove in She lapped some soup then took a few chunks and ran off with them Reshiram, Pepper, AND Zoey happily licked my fingers clean, but once on the floor left me and the soup to resume playing The spitting and gagging has subsided (yay!) but Zoey and Pepper 'needed' to rub their chins clean! Tonight will be the last of this batch and tomorrow I plan on adding an egg to the mix. Should I change proteins or add another protein to this one? Since they are now 'accepting' this soupie, should I not change anything at all just yet? I really hope this isn't a dream because they all are doing so great! I'm a happy momma!
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Jul 25, 2014 8:46:23 GMT -5
As they are willingly taking it time to add some texture! Use some ground meat, or even tiny meat slivers. As they accept the bits increase the ratio slivers to soup
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 9:08:54 GMT -5
I got home from work yesterday and Zekrom was awake and kept staring at me It was cute because I asked him if he was hungry and, I swear, he shook his head up and down! I got out the last dish of soupie from the fridge, spooned half into a bowl and added some warm water. I put the bowl in the cage and Zekrom went to town! Then Elvyra woke up and shared with her big brother! The bowl was clean in under 5 minutes! I spooned the rest of the soup into the bowl, added some more water and put it back in the cage. This time Reshiram woke up and *I think* took a couple licks, but Zekrom really ate most of it! I was kinda bummed out that I didn't make more soupie the night before or even pulled meat from the freezer. I think if I had more, Zekrom would have ate more! With that said, Pepper and Zoey did not have any raw last night I pulled the remaining (3 batches worth) chicken, hearts, livers, and gizzards from the freezer before I left for work. I will take a couple pieces of chicken and offer that to the kids and see what they do. I bet Zekrom will try to chew it and Elvyra will run off with it! (She's so funny; she gets a happy hop/gallap when she takes from from the dish to her 'secret' eating spot!) Depending on how they do over the weekend, I'm probably going to have to get more meats. Is chicken skin acceptable for them to eat if I offer a few pieces here and there? What about some fatty parts of the meat? (from steak and pork mainly) Also, I've wanted them to try/eat freeze dried raw; how do you get your kids to eat that? Thank you Sherry for the suggestions and thank you to anyone else who has read this and gave a smile and thumbs up!
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Jul 25, 2014 9:29:31 GMT -5
They need skin and fat in their diet It is what gives them energy in the same way carbs do for us. When Elvyra runs off- is she actually eating it, or stashing it only?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 17:53:28 GMT -5
I wasn't sure if it was too early to give skin or fat. I'll definitely try and see how they respond I *think* she's eating it since I couldn't find any of the pieces...... Unless she's stashing somewhere new. Which I wouldn't be surprised since she gets so angry when I move *her* things! She also does not appreciate when I clean up her poop
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2014 9:33:39 GMT -5
So far so good! Friday after work, I blended up 3 batches of soupies, this time adding 2 egg yolks per batch (My sister only eats eggs whites, so she saved about a dozen yolks and froze them for the babies). Zekrom and Reshiram were awake (probably from the loud blending!) so I plopped down a glob of soupie in a dish and put it in their cage. Zekrom sniffed and walked away I added a little warm water to it=that is still required for him I suppose because he started to lap it up! Then Reshie came over and gave a few licks too-first time on his own! Zekrom really ate most of it though. When I let everyone out later that night, I mixed in a few chunks of steak fat. Well, I guess we're not ready for that just yet. Zekrom, after I showed him there was his soupies in there, licked around the steak chunks Needless to say, I ended up taking the chunks out and didn't try them again over the weekend. Again, Zekrom and Elvyra ate from the dish and Zoey, Reshiram, and Pepper will lick my finger, but not go to the dish. Saturday, the kids were out a couple hours in the morning so I offered some soup. Same reaction from everyone (Zekrom and Elvyra willingly licking from the dish, Reshiram, Pepper, and Zoey I had to hold and lick from my finger.) Same agenda that evening. Sunday, I thought I would try some fish oil (Grizzly Pollok Oil; I did get Grizzly Salmon Oil since the bottle of Pollok is almost gone) drizzled around the outer rim of the dish......It worked! Zekrom, Elvyra, Reshiram, and Pepper were all eating from the dish! Zoey will, almost eagerly, lick my finger clean......but will not eat from the dish or even with her feet on the ground. She will only accept from my finger if I'm holding her. I do have hope, as long as I keep at this every night (which I will), she will have 4 feet on the ground by the end of the week. Last night, there were a few 'pieces' that were in the soup (just not a fine grind) and Elvyra grabbed a huge piece (probably the size of a quarter) and took off with it! I found her *almost* behind the couch; she licked it a few times and walked away. So Sherry, I guess she is stashing But I have not found the other stashed pieces? Maybe she did eat the other ones but this one was too big? As long as things keep at this pace, I will have to make more soupies Wednesday (I currently have 2 containers in the freezer). Should I stay with the same receipe? Any other suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2014 9:50:08 GMT -5
1 th1nk that you are do1ng really well. Beef doesn't seem to be too popular wth ferrets. 1 th1nk 1ts too strong a flavor. We want them to eat beef, 1ts h1gh 1n 1ron and V1tam1n B. M1ne w1ll tolerate 1t, so 1 offer a fatty ground beef (room temp) and then wh1p up a raw egg and pour 1t over the top. They st1ll need to be coaxed 1nto 1t and 1 s1t on the floor and spoon feed them. 1 have had success offer1ng them th1n sl1ces of beef tenderlo1n, but we all know how expens1ve that 1s, and my l1ttle gourmands don't get 1t any more than we do.
As for FDR, 1 fed m1ne FDR, wh1le 1 learned about raw. 1 bought Stella and Chewy's (fel1ne) duck,duck, goose and tummy t1ckl1n turkey (along w1th other brands) 1 st1ll keep some around for forag1ng treats and emergenc1es. You can make a game out of 1t. Stash a few p1eces under a blanket or 1n a box or tunnel. They w1ll f1nd 1t and hopefully eat 1t. When 1 used FDR as the1r ma1n menus, 1 followed the frankenprey plan and had at least three prote1ns and also bought dr1ed organs, l1ke turkey heart and beef lung. 1 also rehydrated 1t and used the chunk vers1ons, not the patt1es. FDR 1s expens1ve. Most of m1ne was ordered from Amazon (w1th Amazon Pr1me, 1 got free sh1pp1ng).
Also, you are go1ng to want to help them bu1ld up jaw strength, for the move to eat1ng bones. 1 would leave the g1zzards out of the soup and start putt1ng sl1ces of g1zzards 1n w1th them at n1ght. You can also smash a w1ng or two and put that 1n and see how they do w1th them, dur1ng the n1ght.
Your Elvyra 1s such a funny l1ttle one, she must be qu1te the character.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2014 13:42:59 GMT -5
Thanks Poncesmom! I thought I remembered reading that beef was a tough one to be accepted so I wasn't too bummed about it I did get some ground beef over the weekend (for us humans!) but I'll put some to the side and mix it with an egg-great idea! I'm excited to try it! Well, not ME to eat it but; ha you know what I mean! I still have some of those raw boost bites(FDR) so I'll try making a little soup (just with water) and see what they think of it. I just would like the babies to have a 'back up' to raw...for whatever reason....so that's pretty much the only reason I want them to eat it. Maybe once they are fully on raw, I can figure out/try to make jerky? Eh, I'm trying not to get ahead of myself but they are really coming along quite well I think too! I thought for sure I'd still be struggling with the "poisoned" faces and spitting and gagging! Oh, Elvyra for sure is a character! When she first stole my heart, she was mommy's girl Zoey beat up on Elvyra every second she could! Zoey would actually look for Elvyra so she could pin and drag her across the room So daddy would try to protect her by putting Elvyra up on the couch and 'hide' her under a blanket! But mommy is warm and cuddley The first time I took her to the vet for her intial check up, we were in the exam room when a huge big rig must have driven past the building. She was checking out the floor when we heard that loud noise and she ran to my feet, put her little paws on my shin, so I scooped her up. Her little heart was racing when, I swear, I heard her sigh and lick my neck! (swoon!) I keep telling her, if we could just get her biting under control she would be perfect; but she won't listen and now she doesn't need protection from mom or dad! She is so funny and she's a girl on a mission! - No matter what that mission is! The trot she does when she has food in her mouth; hilarious! I would almost die when she would get a mouthful of yolk and run across the room with yolk dripping, ugh (smh) but it was funny...everytime! It's crazy how similar they all are; yet so very different It's hard to remember when my life like before ferrets!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 8:29:10 GMT -5
We had a breakthrough last night!!! Zoey (my princess who was recently diagnosed with adrenal disease and we're monitoring her bg and crossing fingers we do not see insulinoma) happily and eagerly licked my finger clean.....with all 4 paws on the ground! Okay, well actually she was on the baby bed (one of those 2 story little dog bunk bed type things) but that was the first time she ate soupies WITHOUT my holding her! I'm so proud of her! The first days she would fight me, spit and gag, and rub her face on the carpet! But I really feel like this could be the turning point with her! I'll be anxious to see what happens tonight Everyone else did great too! Zekrom was his normal piggy self, although I tried offering some 'pieces' and he licked them, but refused to chew at all. Reshiram actually got in there too and was licking the bowl when I saw he got a hold of a chunk! He chewed and chewed, then trotted off with the piece in his mouth! haha! He didn't 'eat' it all, but it was smaller when he dropped it on the ground, looked at me, and trotted off Elvyra did the same - and she chews a little of the pieces she takes off with; but it mainly just stashing (and gives me a dirty look when I pick up her stashed pieces-she's so funny!) Pepper had a few licked and licked a chunk I held for her; but didn't eat too much (she was munching on kibble about an hour and half prior, so I was sorta glad she didn't eat much raw;but still went to the dish on her own!) I got 40 lbs of rice on Sunday and everyone, except for Zoey, looovvvvveeeesss it! We had so many laughs Sunday night and then last night, it took some time, but the 4 took turns going in the rice and burrowing, digging, and throwing that rice everywhere! I'm hoping the rice helps Zekrom's tail (rat tail) and strengthens everyone's muscle tone (mainly Zekrom's too-he lost too much weight earlier this year). Either tonight, or tomorrow, I'm going to try some pieces of ground beef in the soup. I almost have a feeling Zoey might eat it! But we'll see what happens!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 14:00:03 GMT -5
The babies did great once again! It's so cute when I run the hot water, add a little to the dish and mix the soupies; turn around and all 5 are looking up at me with their 'hands' on the fence! (playpen turned fence to keep them out of the kitchen) I put the dish down and all 4 (Zekrom, Pepper, Elvyra, and Reshie) started lapping it up! Zoey sniffed at it, looked at me, looked at the dish, then ran over to daddy Pepper was the first to start cleaning her face which opened some room for me to put my finger in and grab Zoey. Zoey, almost eagerly, licked my finger clean multiple times before she jumped out of my lap (I was sitting on the floor) and started to clean her face. She stopped after a couple seconds and walked over to me so I offered more from my finger; she took it! All 4 paws on the ground and licking my finger! My baby princess is doing great! Everyone else is also doing great! I think on Saturday, I'm going to pull the kibble since I'm going to be home (or at least not gone half the day). The only concern I have; Pepper had a decent amount of raw (licking from the dish for probably close to 5 minutes) and then played for maybe 10 minutes when I noticed she was eating kibble again. Are there 'signs' for bacterial overgrowth? Is there anything else I should watch for? Tonight I'm going to pull the kibble so no one sneaks any after the raw this time. She seemed fine last night and this morning before I went to work, but I've been thinking about her all day and 'kinda' beating myself up for not denying her kibble so soon after she had the raw. Another concern, although I do not think it's raw related; Zekrom was diagnosed with rat tail back in May and his vet suggested to wash his tail with Dawn dish soap. I 'attempted' a couple times, but he is such a wiggle worm and I didn't want to cause more stress or make it a bad experience. So I actually have not washed his tail. Come to think about it, he's never had a bath with soap. Anyways, last night while he was savoring every lick of the soup, his tail (which has just gotten worse since his diagnosis) looked so red and irritated. I ran my hand and fingers over and under his tail - either it doesn't bother him or he was just too distracted to notice? I asked on the fb page, someone mentioned 'paw paw ointment' or a warm water soak. I want something soothing, but also harmless if he ingests it (I would be shocked if he did NOT lick his tail after I mess with it). But I was also wondering today, if it could be an allergy to something in the raw? I'm not sure it was would make his tail red, but I don't know? We're going to try some ground beef in the soupies tonight! Wish us luck!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 14:47:54 GMT -5
It makes me so happy when I put a dish of soupies down and everyone gathers and jumps in! My little Zoey is making great progress! Last night, she stayed on my lap while licking my fingers clean multiple times and when she jumped down, I offered her some more and she took more! She's been bouncing and dooking and that really warms my heart too! (She's like a little kit again!) Elvyra, as usual, was hilarious! While I was feeding Zoey, Elvyra was licking away, eyes closed, and picked her head up from the dish-took a scan around the room-as I said "good girl Zoey" Elvyra took a chunk and ran off under the couch! Almost as if she 'knows' I'll clean up her stash so she must work fast! And she did well too; she put the 'chunk' smack in the middle of the couch and in the back. No way for me to reach it unless I pick up the couch-which I cannot when the babies are out (too afraid) and since I just let them out.....you get the picture (Elvyra - 1, Mum - 0). BUT then, after the babies played for an hour or so, I saw Elvyra licking away in the dish This time I sat beside her because I had a feeling she would do something. Ha, she took a hunk of something (I think gizzard) and, I swear, was almost the size of her head! I tried to grab it but man, she's fast! I felt like I was in a cartoon! Haha, so silly. I was able to finally grab her (just not the hunk) but I held it in front of her-she chewed it! And chewed and chewed, taking it almost to half it's size! Then Reshie wanted in on the action and he chewed for a while! I was very impressed!(Those 2 just turned a year old June 30th) Zekrom ate his fill as usual, and Pepper was the first one to be done again? They did not have access to kibble last night once I brought the soup out and I'm not sure if she was guilt tripping or what-but she was flat ferreting a few times? I did put in some ground meat...at first I think it smelled different to them, but I mixed the pieces in and almost everything was gone this morning I'll be anxious to see what I'm in store for this evening-the shenangans
|
|
|
Post by Thérèse on Aug 3, 2014 6:06:16 GMT -5
If Elvyra is so keen to stash her yummies, she may appreciate a feeding den.
don't you just love how enthusiastic they are once they realise it's food!
|
|