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Post by Jessica on Aug 9, 2014 13:22:18 GMT -5
I got my first ferret after many years of researching on Monday she is 2 years old and was told she doesn't eat meat and was just on kibble which happened to be walmart brand ferret kibble which i know is horrible for her health and she was also given fruit I would really prefer her to be on a raw diet i feel it is best for her and like everyone else here I just want the best for my baby girl but the thing is she absolutely hates the meat that I have offered her I have offered her the meat several times a day since we got her even tried chicken baby food she will not have any part of it she almost gags when i offer it to her of course I will not give up but im not sure what else I can do at this point im stuck but here is a picture of my baby girl <3 her name is Feirra  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 15:08:09 GMT -5
Good luck, it will be worth the struggle if you can get her on raw. If I could make a suggestion, as I am a beginner raw feeder too, try some freeze dried stuff. I got Loki to eat freeze dried liver and then transitioned him to the raw food.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 9, 2014 15:18:20 GMT -5
To start, read through some of the switching threads  Any ferret can be switched, but it can take some time and work. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 15:57:41 GMT -5
Your Feirra is just beautiful.
You have to think of kibble as sort of like eating only candy, cookies and cakes. Then suddenly, someone comes along and wants you to eat good healthy food and no more of the sweet stuff. You wouldn't be happy about it either. Add to that, ferrets imprint on their food by the time that they are nine months to a year old. So, she really doesn't recognize this other food as being food.
My first ferret Ponce came along, over eight years ago. He was kibble fed and even the vet told me that it was okay to give him raisins and cheerios, once in awhile. I didn't find the forum until he was almost seven and by then, he had Lymphoma and Insulinoma. I had tried sometimes to offer something and he turned up his nose. Now, on the forum, I see ferrents switch ferrets all the time. You just need a little help. After 15 posts, you can sign up for a Mentor. Also take a look at some of the Members switching threads and see how the process works.
Naturally we will encourage you to read about the raw diet and understand the Frankenprey menu. You should know what you're feeding and why.
The Frankenprey menu is designed to mimic eating Whole Prey (like they would in the wild).
This menu includes regular meat (from the grocery store) and is pretty simple. The weekly menu is:
7-9 meals of Bone In meats
3-4 meals of muscle meats
2 meals of Organs.
That's a pretty basic explanation of the menu. For the definitions and explanations, look under the Natural Diet section. Feeding for Newbies.
Some ferrents will feed Whole Prey (live or frozen mice, rabbit, Guinea pigs etc..)
Some ferrents offer commercial grinds, which is a complete meal including organs. That's a good way to feed, but its downside is that it doesn't keep their teeth clean.
Freeze dried raw is another way to go, its expensive and doesn't help to keep their teeth clean.
So, you can decide which way that you would like to go. But all that reading without some positive reinforcement isn't any fun.
You can try whipping up a raw egg, with some warm water, add a drop of oil and put it down for Feirra. Then sit next to her and dab your finger in it (or use a spoon). Touch it to her nose and if she runs away, pick her up gently and try again. Do this a few times and see if she will accept it. You might have to try it, for several days, before she accepts it.
Another thing to try is to slice a tiny, thin piece of raw chicken. Run it under some warm water and while you're holding her, offer it to her. Again, she probably won't accept it right away, you may have to try several times.
On a good healthy diet, you will see her coat become beautiful and soft (and smell like grape kool aid), her energy level is better, her poops smaller and less smelly and you will avoid some big vet bills, down the road. So, don't hesitate to ask questions, and do some reading. Also, the forum is alot of fun, we love to share stories and show pictures and just generally talk ferret.
(dance)
Keep trying and keep posting and we will help you along.
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Post by Jessica on Aug 9, 2014 16:42:32 GMT -5
Oh thanks guys! i wasnt able to find the switching threads until a few minutes ago so will read up on them I am determined i will do anything to have her on raw
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 17:05:21 GMT -5
If you're determined, it will certainly happen.
One thing to keep in mind. Keep it simple at first. Sometimes, we get all caught up in finding exotic foods and forget about the basics. When you read about a ferrent who found something like goat brains, that sounds so fun, but most of the time, they have already been feeding raw and have little ones who will easily and readily accept most foods.
Its alot like feeding a small child at first, you want simple and rather bland. Start with chicken and pork, they taste mild. Beef is a stronger flavor, but is high in Iron and Vitamin B, so its good to have that in their menu eventually.
Bones take time to work up to. Chicken gizzards can help build jaw strength, but don't expect to see your ferret chewing on a cow bone. The bones that ferrets eat are the non weight bearing bones of a chicken size animal or smaller. Think chicken, quail, cornish game hen, duck wings, and then there is mice, rabbit and guinea pigs.
I hope you'll join us. It really is a great place to learn about ferrets, but also to share ferret talk. No one here will roll their eyes, when you try to tell a funny story about something Feirra did.
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Post by Jessica on Aug 9, 2014 17:34:19 GMT -5
Oh im awaiting approval my username isnt the same as this one it is mydreamcametrue but thank you so much for all the tips you gave me it is very much appreciated |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 18:08:24 GMT -5
You're Welcome. Sherry approves the requests and unless it showed up as spam, you should be approved soon. I tagged Sherry, so she will see this. |
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Post by bitbyter on Aug 9, 2014 20:40:20 GMT -5
It takes TIME. The average switch in my experience takes about 3 months. Some (with young kits) can go much quicker, those with older kibble crunchers can take much longer. You just have to be dedicated and much more stubborn than they are. Once you have your 15 posts, sign up for a mentor.
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Post by Jessica on Aug 10, 2014 9:47:01 GMT -5
sorry im just so new at this raw diet i know understand and will be signing up for a mentor just as soon as i have 15 posts again i apologize
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 10:03:22 GMT -5
Oh, no need to apologize. That's why we're here. We only want what's best for you and your ferret.
One note: 15 posts means Posts, not threads. You can get there quickly, just by Welcoming someone or commenting on someone's pictures or threads.
And a question, when you applied for membership, did you mention your Fierra. Like I said earlier, sometimes requests show up in Sherry's box as spam and then get deleted.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 10, 2014 10:33:56 GMT -5
Just got you in |
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Post by Jessica on Aug 10, 2014 10:34:46 GMT -5
no i didnt even think to but i just got the email that i have been approved yay!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 12:58:13 GMT -5
OH she is beautiful! Aww <3. It's good you want to switch her, it can be super challenging at first, but it seems to only get easier once they start taking to it (that's what I'm finding)and a mentor will help. My girl was really fussy- turned nose at everything, but the people here are awesome and will help you out. Good luck!
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