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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 20:07:25 GMT -5
So I was finally able to make it out to Optimal pet foods today to get some freeze dried and I picked up some Wysong Ferret Archetypal-1 and some Ziwipeak Dailycat Cuisine Lamb Recipe. I rehydrated both of them (The ziwipeak is more chewy little pieces because it's actually air-dried not freeze dried so it doesn't rehydrate as well but the pieces still go soft enough to chew - I'm assuming this is okay?) and my girls LOVED them. In fact they now want pretty much nothing to do with the Evo Ferret mushy mix and prefer the freeze-dried straight instead of mixed in with what they were eating before. I know someone said earlier that ferrets don't really get upset tummies like cats or dogs do when you change their foods, but I still don't want to change their food too drastically.. or is this okay? -Is it okay for me to stop feeding the mushy kibble now and just feed the two freeze dried foods? Or should I do a bit of transition? -Is it okay to start both freeze dried foods at once? -Should I alternate days? Or mix the two together? I honestly don't think they are going to touch the kibble anymore now that they've gotten a taste of the freeze dried. Actually, even with the pumpkin mixed in, the Evo Ferret was making their poops a little soft/runny which I think someone said would probably happen, so I don't think the food totally agrees with them anyways. I'm perfectly fine with feeding just freeze-dried during the time I'm switching them over to raw (I'm giving the raw soup and ground turkey a go tomorrow when I have some time to play around in the kitchen with recipes and food processors), but is this going to be nutrionally good enough for them? Also how much freeze-dried do I feed? They only eat a few mouthfuls of food at a time as it is and then they go to sleep. Should I just offer whatever amount they want to eat 3-4 times a day? Can I leave the freeze-dried (rehydrated) out over night? Sorry for all of the questions, I'm such a newbie  Thanks!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 20:31:52 GMT -5
I know someone said earlier that ferrets don't really get upset tummies like cats or dogs do when you change their foods, but I still don't want to change their food too drastically.. or is this okay? Should be fine. You will have funky stools, but as long as they're on all raw now and not going back to kibble, the tummy issues should be minimal. -Is it okay for me to stop feeding the mushy kibble now and just feed the two freeze dried foods? Or should I do a bit of transition? I would just start freeze dried full time -Is it okay to start both freeze dried foods at once? Are they different proteins? It's always best to introduce one protein at a time to make sure no sensitivities are present. If they are having good stools on the freeze dried it probably isn't an issue. -Should I alternate days? Or mix the two together? I would alternate meals or days. AM wysong, PM Ziwipeak, etc. Or Monday wysong, tuesday Ziwipeak. I'm perfectly fine with feeding just freeze-dried during the time I'm switching them over to raw (I'm giving the raw soup and ground turkey a go tomorrow when I have some time to play around in the kitchen with recipes and food processors), but is this going to be nutrionally good enough for them? How long until they will be starting the full transition? The freeze dried stuff is usually pretty nutritionally complete, so they should be fine until you start Also how much freeze-dried do I feed? They only eat a few mouthfuls of food at a time as it is and then they go to sleep. Should I just offer whatever amount they want to eat 3-4 times a day? They will eat a LOT for now - so just feed it until they stop eating. Because it's wet, it won't last as long. Maybe 4-6 hours. So 3-4 feedings a day sounds good if you're leaving it wet. Can I leave the freeze-dried (rehydrated) out over night? You can, but it will probably only be good for 4-6 hours, so don't leave TOO much, or it'll go to waste. I'd also recommend Stella & chewys stuff - my girls love it and it have a good variety and balance. Nice stools on it too  |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:15:09 GMT -5
Are they different proteins? It's always best to introduce one protein at a time to make sure no sensitivities are present. If they are having good stools on the freeze dried it probably isn't an issue. I would alternate meals or days. AM wysong, PM Ziwipeak, etc. Or Monday wysong, tuesday Ziwipeak. The Ziwipeak is Lamb and the Wysong is Chicken. Chicken was the main protein in the other kibble they were eating so I know they're okay with it. Do you think it's okay to start both in this case? I'll probably alternate meals because I'm not sure if they like one more than the other yet and I wouldn't want them to eat less on the day they don't like the food as much. How long until they will be starting the full transition? The freeze dried stuff is usually pretty nutritionally complete, so they should be fine until you start I'm hoping asap. I've signed up for the mentoring program and am trying ground turkey and raw soupie tomorrow so hopefully I can get them eating that. They will eat a LOT for now - so just feed it until they stop eating. Because it's wet, it won't last as long. Maybe 4-6 hours. So 3-4 feedings a day sounds good if you're leaving it wet. You can, but it will probably only be good for 4-6 hours, so don't leave TOO much, or it'll go to waste. Okay perfect, thanks! I'm always worried about food going bad. I'd also recommend Stella & chewys stuff - my girls love it and it have a good variety and balance. Nice stools on it too Awesome, I'll give that a go too! Do you do freeze-dried and other forms of raw? How does that work? do you alternate days or meals? Thanks for all of your help Jackie!!!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:24:58 GMT -5
Happy to help Do you think it's okay to start both in this case? I would. Lamb is REALLY good for tummies. It's very gentle. If they have eaten chicken before it should be fine Awesome, I'll give that a go too! Do you do freeze-dried and other forms of raw? How does that work? do you alternate days or meals? I started out on a full-freeze dried raw diet. I rotated between lamb, chicken, and turkey. Unfortunately it is expensive and my two went through it pretty quick. So to cut costs I went full raw. I still get freeze dried lamb to add some more variety to their diet, but it's like maybe 5% of their diet now. I'd love to incorporate it a bit more, because it's so convenient and good to have around (great for pet sitters, vacations, etc). |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:27:28 GMT -5
Also, while waiting for a mentor, you can start a switching thread in the Newbie section, and everyone will pitch in and help out.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:34:13 GMT -5
Good to know about the lamb! I will start both! Which Stella and Chewey's do you feed? Should I try get a different protein of that to mix it up? I can see what you mean about going through it quickly. Also great to know about keeping the freeze dried for babysitters, that was one of my main concerns about feeding raw! Great idea about starting the thread in the newbie section!!! |
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 3, 2011 21:37:23 GMT -5
I switched Sonny to freeze dried raw immediately. If they are eating it then dont bother leaving kibble out.
He doesnt est ziwi but my dog eats the venison.
Sonny's favorites are wysong arch 1, Stella & chews's dandy lamb, big beef dinner, chicken and duck duck goose. He Loves wysong beef or chicken dream treats.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:55:02 GMT -5
I switched Sonny to freeze dried raw immediately. If they are eating it then dont bother leaving kibble out. He doesnt est ziwi but my dog eats the venison. Sonny's favorites are wysong arch 1, Stella & chews's dandy lamb, big beef dinner, chicken and duck duck goose. He Loves wysong beef or chicken dream treats. Thanks for the food suggestions! Do you alternate meals for each of those? |
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 3, 2011 22:11:50 GMT -5
I put all varieties in his bowls and he eats whatever he's in the mood for. but for now, you should do just one meat at each meal.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 22:26:11 GMT -5
Perfect, thanks! |
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