Post by Heather on Nov 8, 2014 0:09:02 GMT -5
Name:
HF Forum Username: mjarand
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I've been researching diets for the past three years. Always thinking icky thoughts about raw. Always thinking I was offering best kibble Wysong Epigen 90. After the company switched ingredients I had an awful time with digestive issues. I worked closely with people from wysong. They were very helpful, even suggested making raw switch (a little less icky sounding). They even refunded the case of the old formula and gave me the new sensitive tummy formula. Still tummy issues and tone loss with all four ferrets. That's when I started reading dr Karen Beckers website. Now the icky is gone, I'm on board totally convinced carefully crafted, nutritionally sound raw is the way to go.
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 want to switch to balanced raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I think I answered that pretty well in the last two questions. Ask me if I am missing something.
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?
The only major life change will be retiring in a few years and that's a good thing as far as the ferrets are concerned. I cooked a home diet for one of my dogs after he suffered organ damage from meningitis. I did this for 10 years. I am committed. I am a middle school teacher, and jewelry artist... I have tremendous patience. Lengthy process doesn't scare me.... Patience, persistence, and practice is my mantra for teaching. Same applies to ferrets.
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?
*note- they have been on switching diet for past 6 weeks... Weights have all improved. More info in the diet section.
Grizzly- senior male 6 years old, 2 pounds 15 ounces, October 18,2014 he started the switch at 2lbs 10 ounces. Giz Had stomach surgery two years ago for obstruction (he ate my earplugs, grrr). He is the alpha. He is my sensitive tummy boy. Recently had diarrhea bout, lost 1/4 pound. The vet gave him drugs that made him sicker. I took him off and switched to uncle Jim's soup. He recovered in three days...
Possum- 1lb 15 o., October 18, 2014. Six weeks ago her weight was 1lb 12 ounces. guessing she is 5, she is a rescue. She had an awful coat and tartar when I adopted her. So I guessed she was from an uninformed ferret owner. I thought she would be the most stubborn one of the group. But she plowed right into the kibble-bit-of-freeze-dried-raw on the first night. Never looked back, maybe I was the uninformed?
Sid-2 lbs 3 ounces. Still same weight, but he has his seasons switched, he gets thinner in winter, fatter in summer coat switch and all. Needless to say; He's my special education ferret . He is deaf, has a twist at the tip of his tail, has an odd gait and plows though stuff rather than walk around or over. (And don't forget the season switch thing; really freaked me out the first year he did this.). Much preferred method of plowing is knocking stuff off the table as he moves. He is not blind. Just a klutz. He's also my most laid back fuzz butt. I've had him since he was a kit. He has been on a wysong diet all his life.
Snickerdoodle or Snickers-2 lb 11 ounces, October 18,2014. He started at 2lbs 6 o. He is 15 1/2 months old. He too has been with me since he was a kit. Mr Personality, he's a wild and crazy guy. Way too much 'ferret smarts' in his noggin. Not a day (hour?) goes by that he isn't caught getting ready to commit suicide or creating major mischief. Still trying to figure out how He got to the top of my curtains? Closest table is a 6 foot leap. He is a Wysong diet kid. He is a mommies boy, still won't eat a bite of soup unless I hand feed with a Popsicle stick for 15-60 LONG seconds, lol. Patience. Feeling a little used, gotta admit <grin>.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
For the past two years they were on Wysong Epigen 90, then switched to sensitive stomach formula a few months ago. Totally not acceptable. I'm learning. FAST.
TO DATE:
September 3rd, I started with a 90-10 blend of wysong epigen 90 sensitive tummy and 10% freeze dried chicken. I have been slowly adding (switching things up and increasing ratio of raw, decreasing kibble each week) freeze dried lamb, beef hearts, rabbit, Stella's freeze dried chicken meals and lamb meal patties for dogs and cats, pulverized eggshell, raw egg, freeze dried chicken liver, hearts, Uncle Jim's. Meals are three times daily, everyone is (on the most part) eating at least 3-5 ounces daily)
As you can see the weight change has been terrific. We've had many hiccups along the way (mostly self created... As in... Me trying to rush things along too,quickly). Ilver. Loads of funny poo, but nothing more drastic than than refusal to eat for a couple hours; followed by, mommy hand feeding the same mush they rejected a few hours ago.... . Y'ad think I'd given them homemade icecream the way they scarf down hand fed mush.
LAST WEEK (5th week into switch) October 13-17 (everything gets pulverized, this week the freeze dried chicken breast were left in pea size lumps)
Mush recipe of the week;
Recipe makes about 12 cups of dry food
1 cup wysong epigen 90 (down to one cup!! Whoot whoot)
8 pulverized eggshells
3 cups Stella freeze dried lamb patty meals for dogs
3 cups Stella freeze dried chicken patty meal for cats
2 cups freeze dried whole chicken
3 freeze dried chicken hearts
3 - 1inch cubes of beef liver
1/8 cup Uncle Jim's
2 cups freeze dried chicken breasts
THE MEAL (3 times daily)- 1/3 cup dried mush, hot water to cover with 1/8 cup frozen chicken or rabbit meat pellets. Steeped for 5 minutes, stirred, served and devoured.
Each week begins Saturday morning when I mix their new recipe. The biggest change is reducing kibble and increasing frozen raw proportions. Each day adding more pellets.
Friday night I don't give them their third meal, knowing Saturday will bring flavor texture change. I've found hungry tummies are more willing to test drive new flavors and textures. Saturday morning everyone is brought to the dinning floor (ferret nation top floor of cage) one at a time and introduced to new recipe. Popsicle stick at the ready for whomever decides to be finicky. No one leaves the cage until they at least try the new recipe. Anyone who tries and refuses to eat much is allowed to go play; but s/he gets a late morning meeting with mommy and her hand feeding spoon. Generally by Sunday lunch they are all with the program.
6th WEEK OF SWITCHING October 18-25th
See above recipe for dry mush, only change was dried whole hearts instead of freeze dried.
The biggest change this week was adding home pulverized wing slivers in addition to the frozen chicken pellets.
October 18
I poured the liquid and pulp from adding water to the defrosted pulverized wing on top of their morning meal. Everyone ate like crazy. No issues. Yeah.
Saturday shopping....The store I purchase my frozen whole chicken pellets from didn't have only chicken so I had to purchase chicken/duck combo. Hmm.
Mid day meal- the kids ate well, but I added only 4-5 pellets,of the duck/ken pellets. But added 1/2 tbs of minced raw chicken wing. Resistance. With a few retries everyone ate.
Late meal same as last but added more ducken pellets. Everyone started eating, but must have stopped soon after. Three quarters of the meal left uneaten ARGH. now I have it figure out if it was the duck or the home made raw chicken? I'm thinking DUCK.
So this is where I am in my journey... TBC
The consistency
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
SEE ABOVE
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Hmmm. That's a toughie. How much do you want to know . In addition to my ferrets I have a ferret loving hubby, two grown children and two grandkids whom we adore. In addition to our ferrets we share our home with two chihuahuas; Daisy Mae is 12 years old, Sadie is 7 and two of the biggest parrot fish (I'm talking pan frying size) I have ever seen.
More Importantly- my love for ferrets is unprecedented, I am an animal lover and life long rescuer (dragged a stray cat home by the tail at age four). Yet ferrets have held my undivided attention for 7 years. Same thing happened to my hubby; except he was never 'nuts' about anything with fur. His was more of a benign acceptance of my pets. Then came the ferrets and whammo we are both ferrants, to the chagrin of our human children.
The rest of my life will unfold as you get to know me on the forum.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Between my classroom and home I have six various computers, tablets, phones and such.. I'm always connected. However, I am an art teacher, and working artist with lots of grading to do, customer orders to create (I make jewelry, cold forged wire wrapping). During the school year I will be a loyal reader but won't post as often as I would like to. During the summer however, is a different story.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). See profile picture.
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
I have my scale; liver in the freezer; various freeze dried meats in the pantry; taurine; egg shells; freeze dried, frozen; and Uncle Jim's soup. I have everything available both locally and through Amazon. I have everything that was on the switching list.
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. a scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams.
Got it, use it once a week.
2. All the makings for a puree soup, unless your ferret is already past the soup stage. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course ;D )
What no caffeine residue? I have everything on the list and I've been reading, posting, and reading more. Everyday I learn something new.
You guys are amazing
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . 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 (dance). Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: mjarand
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I've been researching diets for the past three years. Always thinking icky thoughts about raw. Always thinking I was offering best kibble Wysong Epigen 90. After the company switched ingredients I had an awful time with digestive issues. I worked closely with people from wysong. They were very helpful, even suggested making raw switch (a little less icky sounding). They even refunded the case of the old formula and gave me the new sensitive tummy formula. Still tummy issues and tone loss with all four ferrets. That's when I started reading dr Karen Beckers website. Now the icky is gone, I'm on board totally convinced carefully crafted, nutritionally sound raw is the way to go.
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 want to switch to balanced raw.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I think I answered that pretty well in the last two questions. Ask me if I am missing something.
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?
The only major life change will be retiring in a few years and that's a good thing as far as the ferrets are concerned. I cooked a home diet for one of my dogs after he suffered organ damage from meningitis. I did this for 10 years. I am committed. I am a middle school teacher, and jewelry artist... I have tremendous patience. Lengthy process doesn't scare me.... Patience, persistence, and practice is my mantra for teaching. Same applies to ferrets.
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?
*note- they have been on switching diet for past 6 weeks... Weights have all improved. More info in the diet section.
Grizzly- senior male 6 years old, 2 pounds 15 ounces, October 18,2014 he started the switch at 2lbs 10 ounces. Giz Had stomach surgery two years ago for obstruction (he ate my earplugs, grrr). He is the alpha. He is my sensitive tummy boy. Recently had diarrhea bout, lost 1/4 pound. The vet gave him drugs that made him sicker. I took him off and switched to uncle Jim's soup. He recovered in three days...
Possum- 1lb 15 o., October 18, 2014. Six weeks ago her weight was 1lb 12 ounces. guessing she is 5, she is a rescue. She had an awful coat and tartar when I adopted her. So I guessed she was from an uninformed ferret owner. I thought she would be the most stubborn one of the group. But she plowed right into the kibble-bit-of-freeze-dried-raw on the first night. Never looked back, maybe I was the uninformed?
Sid-2 lbs 3 ounces. Still same weight, but he has his seasons switched, he gets thinner in winter, fatter in summer coat switch and all. Needless to say; He's my special education ferret . He is deaf, has a twist at the tip of his tail, has an odd gait and plows though stuff rather than walk around or over. (And don't forget the season switch thing; really freaked me out the first year he did this.). Much preferred method of plowing is knocking stuff off the table as he moves. He is not blind. Just a klutz. He's also my most laid back fuzz butt. I've had him since he was a kit. He has been on a wysong diet all his life.
Snickerdoodle or Snickers-2 lb 11 ounces, October 18,2014. He started at 2lbs 6 o. He is 15 1/2 months old. He too has been with me since he was a kit. Mr Personality, he's a wild and crazy guy. Way too much 'ferret smarts' in his noggin. Not a day (hour?) goes by that he isn't caught getting ready to commit suicide or creating major mischief. Still trying to figure out how He got to the top of my curtains? Closest table is a 6 foot leap. He is a Wysong diet kid. He is a mommies boy, still won't eat a bite of soup unless I hand feed with a Popsicle stick for 15-60 LONG seconds, lol. Patience. Feeling a little used, gotta admit <grin>.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
For the past two years they were on Wysong Epigen 90, then switched to sensitive stomach formula a few months ago. Totally not acceptable. I'm learning. FAST.
TO DATE:
September 3rd, I started with a 90-10 blend of wysong epigen 90 sensitive tummy and 10% freeze dried chicken. I have been slowly adding (switching things up and increasing ratio of raw, decreasing kibble each week) freeze dried lamb, beef hearts, rabbit, Stella's freeze dried chicken meals and lamb meal patties for dogs and cats, pulverized eggshell, raw egg, freeze dried chicken liver, hearts, Uncle Jim's. Meals are three times daily, everyone is (on the most part) eating at least 3-5 ounces daily)
As you can see the weight change has been terrific. We've had many hiccups along the way (mostly self created... As in... Me trying to rush things along too,quickly). Ilver. Loads of funny poo, but nothing more drastic than than refusal to eat for a couple hours; followed by, mommy hand feeding the same mush they rejected a few hours ago.... . Y'ad think I'd given them homemade icecream the way they scarf down hand fed mush.
LAST WEEK (5th week into switch) October 13-17 (everything gets pulverized, this week the freeze dried chicken breast were left in pea size lumps)
Mush recipe of the week;
Recipe makes about 12 cups of dry food
1 cup wysong epigen 90 (down to one cup!! Whoot whoot)
8 pulverized eggshells
3 cups Stella freeze dried lamb patty meals for dogs
3 cups Stella freeze dried chicken patty meal for cats
2 cups freeze dried whole chicken
3 freeze dried chicken hearts
3 - 1inch cubes of beef liver
1/8 cup Uncle Jim's
2 cups freeze dried chicken breasts
THE MEAL (3 times daily)- 1/3 cup dried mush, hot water to cover with 1/8 cup frozen chicken or rabbit meat pellets. Steeped for 5 minutes, stirred, served and devoured.
Each week begins Saturday morning when I mix their new recipe. The biggest change is reducing kibble and increasing frozen raw proportions. Each day adding more pellets.
Friday night I don't give them their third meal, knowing Saturday will bring flavor texture change. I've found hungry tummies are more willing to test drive new flavors and textures. Saturday morning everyone is brought to the dinning floor (ferret nation top floor of cage) one at a time and introduced to new recipe. Popsicle stick at the ready for whomever decides to be finicky. No one leaves the cage until they at least try the new recipe. Anyone who tries and refuses to eat much is allowed to go play; but s/he gets a late morning meeting with mommy and her hand feeding spoon. Generally by Sunday lunch they are all with the program.
6th WEEK OF SWITCHING October 18-25th
See above recipe for dry mush, only change was dried whole hearts instead of freeze dried.
The biggest change this week was adding home pulverized wing slivers in addition to the frozen chicken pellets.
October 18
I poured the liquid and pulp from adding water to the defrosted pulverized wing on top of their morning meal. Everyone ate like crazy. No issues. Yeah.
Saturday shopping....The store I purchase my frozen whole chicken pellets from didn't have only chicken so I had to purchase chicken/duck combo. Hmm.
Mid day meal- the kids ate well, but I added only 4-5 pellets,of the duck/ken pellets. But added 1/2 tbs of minced raw chicken wing. Resistance. With a few retries everyone ate.
Late meal same as last but added more ducken pellets. Everyone started eating, but must have stopped soon after. Three quarters of the meal left uneaten ARGH. now I have it figure out if it was the duck or the home made raw chicken? I'm thinking DUCK.
So this is where I am in my journey... TBC
The consistency
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
SEE ABOVE
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Hmmm. That's a toughie. How much do you want to know . In addition to my ferrets I have a ferret loving hubby, two grown children and two grandkids whom we adore. In addition to our ferrets we share our home with two chihuahuas; Daisy Mae is 12 years old, Sadie is 7 and two of the biggest parrot fish (I'm talking pan frying size) I have ever seen.
More Importantly- my love for ferrets is unprecedented, I am an animal lover and life long rescuer (dragged a stray cat home by the tail at age four). Yet ferrets have held my undivided attention for 7 years. Same thing happened to my hubby; except he was never 'nuts' about anything with fur. His was more of a benign acceptance of my pets. Then came the ferrets and whammo we are both ferrants, to the chagrin of our human children.
The rest of my life will unfold as you get to know me on the forum.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Between my classroom and home I have six various computers, tablets, phones and such.. I'm always connected. However, I am an art teacher, and working artist with lots of grading to do, customer orders to create (I make jewelry, cold forged wire wrapping). During the school year I will be a loyal reader but won't post as often as I would like to. During the summer however, is a different story.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). See profile picture.
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
I have my scale; liver in the freezer; various freeze dried meats in the pantry; taurine; egg shells; freeze dried, frozen; and Uncle Jim's soup. I have everything available both locally and through Amazon. I have everything that was on the switching list.
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. a scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams.
Got it, use it once a week.
2. All the makings for a puree soup, unless your ferret is already past the soup stage. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course ;D )
What no caffeine residue? I have everything on the list and I've been reading, posting, and reading more. Everyday I learn something new.
You guys are amazing
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . 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 (dance). Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao