First time owner having trouble with switching kibbles

[Deleted]

Hello, I'm not sure if I should do an introduction first or not but I've been a lurker for a couple weeks now and am excited to be apart of these forums, I love doing things the natural way myself. My name is Amber and I'm 23 years old, and I just (first time ferret owner) adopted 2 lovely male ferrets from my friend who didn't want them anymore about 3 and a half weeks ago. My white one, Tsun, used to bite me but now he licks me so I know he's used to me and loves me now. But anyways, they LOVE Marshalls and that's what I've been feeding them only because she gave me the rest of her bag when she gave them to me. But today I was so excited to get Wellness Core grain free for them. Mixed it in with Marshalls...aand just a few minutes ago Tsun, will dig out of the bowl like he usually does, but this time to just eat the Marshalls pieces. He probably had 2 pieces of the Wellness, and that was after I put one in his mouth (and it falling out over and over til I just put it back, then he ate 2 pieces grudgingly). I heard mixing helps though? I'm hoping the food doesn't go untouched..I mean it's mixed in with Marshalls...and obviously the Wellness is WAY better quality. How could they not like it when animals know when things are healthier for them or not? I'm not sure about my brown one Shayde. Will time (hunger) tell? It makes me worried for them. I never want them to eat Marshalls again, it's terrible. Plus I read that they send some ferrets to animal testing (torture) labs so I don't buy anything Marshalls. Any advice would be appreciated (I know I didn't exactly ask a question I'm just venting my worries and wondering what your experiences are with switching kibbles). I mean I hope they don't starve themselves since the Marshall's bag is about to be empty and I'll be using this 5lb bag of Wellness for them. I guess I will see in the morning how they eat. For those who have switched kibbles, did they just eventually eat when they were starving and get used to it?

Also I do want to start them on raw eventually, but when I get a job as I don't have one at the moment. I tried giving them just a small piece of ham (I know it's processed, but it's meat)...all they did was smell it and let it fall out of their mouths when I tried to put it in there. So hopefully in the future I can get them to somehow. The last owner said she was never able to get them to eat raw. My friend though, said that he wore his ferrets out with exercise and got them really hungry, gave them raw meat, and they eventually ate it. So I'm hoping that that will work. Heck, I'm hoping that will work with this kibble at the moment. Sorry for the length. Edit - also they were born sometime in May 2013 if that matters about the food situation. Thanks!!
-Amber

[raynebc]

I've switched ferrets from Marshalls to other kibble a couple times before. You just want to make the transition very gradual (ie. start with the new kibble being maybe 10% of the total kibble you provide). If they still don't eat it after a couple days, you may even try crushing up the new kibble into smaller pieces or a powder and sprinkling it on top. This will make it harder to dig the new kibble out, and they'll get used to the smell of the new kibble even if they try to avoid it at first. Even if kibble is just temporary, you may want to use a mix of more than one kibble so they're used to more than one food and you can transition away from one more easily.

From reading posts here, it seems most people recommend trying to get your ferrets introduced to raw with a typical raw soup recipe that would include meat, organs and egg shell or bone meal/powder (as a whole bone substitute). Or if you want to start off with something easy, you can see if they're willing to eat a meat-based baby food (Beechnut is good because it's just meat and gravy, Gerber also adds corn starch so it is less desirable) or unseasoned, cooked meat like chicken or fish (my first ferret loved canned tuna, they sell "low sodium" kinds that are just plain tuna packed in water so it's a relatively healthy treat, just check the ingredients).

[RedSky]

One suggestion I have seen a few times is to measure out their old food, swap put say 10% and put it in an air tight tub. This allows the smell of the foods to balance out.
Have a few tubs made so you have 10%, 15%, 20% ect. Often having the food all smell the same really helps.

Good luck

[raynebc]

Would pre-mixing them and putting them in zip lock bags be close enough?

[Deleted]

Hi and Welcome to the HFF

How old are Tsun and Shayde? Ferrets imprint on their food sometime between six months and a year old. Plus Marshall's is tasty like junk food. They are capable of refusing to eat, even if they are hungry.

The zip lock bags are a good idea. Portion out the amount they eat in one meal. Depending on their age, the average male will eat about 4oz in a day. Kibble eaters need to eat more times in a day than raw fed, so leave food out for them.
Make meal 1 75/25 old and new food. Make meal 2 50/50. Meal 3 40/60. Meal four 30/70 and so forth.
Portion these out ahead of time, so the old smell will mix with the new smell.

Don't give them ham (too much salt), bacon or any deli or processed meats. If you would like to try something, whip up a raw egg with some warm water. Sit on the floor with them, dab your finger in it or use a spoon. Put them on your lap and gently offer some. They will turn their heads, try again. Usually after four or five times, they will humor you and try a little.

When you are ready to go raw, you can sign up for a Mentor. They will help guide you thru a switch and make sure that you are giving your ferrets the proper diet. You can also take a look at some of the Members switching threads and see how the process works. Like raynebc said, usually Mentors start you out on the raw soupie recipe. If you need help finding it, or just navigating the forum, just ask.

In addition to discussing the Natural Diet, we love to share stories and pictures, discuss health issues and just generally talk Ferret.
Have fun and see you around the forum
(dance)