Post by Heather on Mar 8, 2011 0:53:22 GMT -5
Name: Ashley
HF Forum Username: Allenya
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Basically the first place I learned about it here. I found the forum in a search, read a little but had signed out for another forum. Then on that one Sherry suggested I come here as well to learn more about switching.
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 am eventually wanting to switch my kids to a combination of whole (Live or FT) pray and model raw. Model I believe is what it's called when you get the meat and make a meal rather then allowing them to just eat whole prey?
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
It is my understanding that this diet would be healthier for them. Basically I don't want to be fed grass and bugs as this diet isn't healthy for me. So I don't want to feed my ferrets kibble filled with grain and corn as it's not good for them.
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?
Yes, I understand this am am comfortable with it. I actually like the idea of the slow switch anyway. I don't want to rush them or myself through anything.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have three Ferrets, but may be getting one more that I was told minght be going to the SPCA this week.
Zeus (Brother of Hades), 1.5 -2 years, Male. No health problems that I can see. he is 2.43 lb's, not sure if that's underwieght. He's lost weight since the shedding season started but I don't know what is normal.
Hades (Brother of Zeus), 1.5 - 2 years, Male. No health problems that I can see. he is 2.87 lb's, not sure if that's overwieght.
Nyx, Amought 7 -8 months, Female. No health problems that I can see. he is 1.59 lb's, not sure if that's over or under.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They are currently on 8 in 1 Ultra-Blend Select Dry Ferret Food as well as Mazuri Ferret Diet.
For treats I have Chicken and Bacon Bandits. Marshall Furo-Tone and FerreTone Skin and Coat.
These treats are hardly given to the ferrets any more due to info Sherry has given me. About the only time they get them is when I need to trim claws as the Olive Oil doesn't work for this occasion.
Purebits Freeze Dried Chicken, Beef Liver and White Fish. These are the main treats now. Nyx loves them, the boys are slowly taking a liking to them.
I have also started to grind down the freeze dried chicken into a powder to sprinkle over the kibble to help get them eating it. I believe it's due to this that Hades will eat them whole now.
I also give them each 1/2 tsp Olive Oil, 1/2 tsp Salmon Oil each day. Every 2 or 3 days they also get 1/2 - 1 tsp pumpkin. And they share an egg, raw, between the 3 of them about once a week starting last week when I gave them an egg I broke to see it they would eat it.
I believe that's it.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not really. I've given them a piece of meat here are there, when I'm preparing our food. Just a little piece, but only Nyx seems interested but she doesn't eat it. She'll take it and put it in the food dish. Boys don't touch it after sniffing it.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I work 8+ hour days and as I work in a small scale accounting and tax office as the only employee really I will be working more and more over the next few months. I can't take the kids with me to make sure they eat right and I can't monitor how they are eating from work of course. I worry a lot about how much they eat, are they getting enough or not. I've taken to only giving them a cup or 2 of food a day so I can tell exactly how much they ate while I was at work, then a cup before bed and I check that in the morning. I'm hoping I won't have to worry as much with them on raw but I also don't want to leave raw meat in the cage while I'm gone. I plan to set up a feeding area/den once I know what I want.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
We moved shortly before getting our ferrets and when we did this we have to buy a new couch and dishwasher so we want to pay that off before we get net in the house. So I get on the net at work/my parents daily but don't have a lot of time for personal stuff. I do have a little more time to get on on the weekend but as I said before tax season means more weekends working.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
HF Forum Username: Allenya
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Basically the first place I learned about it here. I found the forum in a search, read a little but had signed out for another forum. Then on that one Sherry suggested I come here as well to learn more about switching.
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 am eventually wanting to switch my kids to a combination of whole (Live or FT) pray and model raw. Model I believe is what it's called when you get the meat and make a meal rather then allowing them to just eat whole prey?
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
It is my understanding that this diet would be healthier for them. Basically I don't want to be fed grass and bugs as this diet isn't healthy for me. So I don't want to feed my ferrets kibble filled with grain and corn as it's not good for them.
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?
Yes, I understand this am am comfortable with it. I actually like the idea of the slow switch anyway. I don't want to rush them or myself through anything.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have three Ferrets, but may be getting one more that I was told minght be going to the SPCA this week.
Zeus (Brother of Hades), 1.5 -2 years, Male. No health problems that I can see. he is 2.43 lb's, not sure if that's underwieght. He's lost weight since the shedding season started but I don't know what is normal.
Hades (Brother of Zeus), 1.5 - 2 years, Male. No health problems that I can see. he is 2.87 lb's, not sure if that's overwieght.
Nyx, Amought 7 -8 months, Female. No health problems that I can see. he is 1.59 lb's, not sure if that's over or under.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
They are currently on 8 in 1 Ultra-Blend Select Dry Ferret Food as well as Mazuri Ferret Diet.
For treats I have Chicken and Bacon Bandits. Marshall Furo-Tone and FerreTone Skin and Coat.
These treats are hardly given to the ferrets any more due to info Sherry has given me. About the only time they get them is when I need to trim claws as the Olive Oil doesn't work for this occasion.
Purebits Freeze Dried Chicken, Beef Liver and White Fish. These are the main treats now. Nyx loves them, the boys are slowly taking a liking to them.
I have also started to grind down the freeze dried chicken into a powder to sprinkle over the kibble to help get them eating it. I believe it's due to this that Hades will eat them whole now.
I also give them each 1/2 tsp Olive Oil, 1/2 tsp Salmon Oil each day. Every 2 or 3 days they also get 1/2 - 1 tsp pumpkin. And they share an egg, raw, between the 3 of them about once a week starting last week when I gave them an egg I broke to see it they would eat it.
I believe that's it.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Not really. I've given them a piece of meat here are there, when I'm preparing our food. Just a little piece, but only Nyx seems interested but she doesn't eat it. She'll take it and put it in the food dish. Boys don't touch it after sniffing it.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I work 8+ hour days and as I work in a small scale accounting and tax office as the only employee really I will be working more and more over the next few months. I can't take the kids with me to make sure they eat right and I can't monitor how they are eating from work of course. I worry a lot about how much they eat, are they getting enough or not. I've taken to only giving them a cup or 2 of food a day so I can tell exactly how much they ate while I was at work, then a cup before bed and I check that in the morning. I'm hoping I won't have to worry as much with them on raw but I also don't want to leave raw meat in the cage while I'm gone. I plan to set up a feeding area/den once I know what I want.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
We moved shortly before getting our ferrets and when we did this we have to buy a new couch and dishwasher so we want to pay that off before we get net in the house. So I get on the net at work/my parents daily but don't have a lot of time for personal stuff. I do have a little more time to get on on the weekend but as I said before tax season means more weekends working.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
Great. Are they eating it entirely on their own or are they being enticed (spoon fed, nose dips 
) If they're eating entirely on their own, you can do one of two things....you can start to thicken their dinner up or you can start adding some chunks to their soupy. By chunks, I'm meaning fingernail tip sized. Just a few to see if they will go for the new chewy sized meats. Great job so far.
She might eat it if she's allowed to stash it and beat it up. Another thing you might try is playing tug with the dead rodent. Getting the taste and realizing that there is food wrapped up in that fur sometimes takes some time and some inventive techniques 
;D I had one lady who actually tied a string to her now dead mouse and had her little guy chase it around. It took her a fair bit of running around the house but by the end of the night her fuzz ate it.
I'm not sure if this is happening because I took the kibbles away or if it's something else.